Skip to main content

Easy Lemon Dill Sauce for Grilled Salmon

Image
Donna Urso

 Grilled salmon is a favorite for many of us home cooks because it is easy to prepare, healthy, and delicious. 

One way to elevate it to restaurant-quality status is with a creamy, tangy lemon dill sauce. This easy-to-make sauce combines the bright flavors of lemon and the fresh herb goodness of dill in a creamy base that pairs beautifully with grilled salmon's rich, flaky texture. 

How to Make a Simple and Delicious Lemon Dill Sauce for Grilled Salmon

Two salmon fillets topped with lemon slices and dill sauce.

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or hosting a special occasion, this sauce is a must-try!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Dill Sauce Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: You only need a few basic ingredients and five minutes to whip up this sauce.

  • Versatile: It can be made with either fresh or dried dill, so you can make it any time of year.  Just make sure your dried dill is green and aromatic.

  • Perfect for Salmon and More: While this lemon dill sauce is perfect for grilled salmon, it also complements chicken, shrimp, and roasted vegetables.  I love having it on hand in my fridge for use at a moment's notice!

  • Make Ahead: You can, and should, make this sauce ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Jump to Recipe

You Will Need

Salt, pepper, lemon juice, equal parts sour cream and mayonnaise, dried dill weed.
Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp. dried dill)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Mix the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth.

  2. Add Lemon and Dill: Stir in the lemon juice and dill. Adjust the lemon juice to taste, adding more if you prefer a tangier or thinner sauce.

  3. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Start with a pinch of each and adjust as needed.

  4. Chill and Serve: For best flavor, cover and refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld. Serve over grilled salmon and enjoy!

How to Grill Your Salmon

Grilling salmon is simple and quick, resulting in a smoky, flavorful fish that pairs perfectly with the lemon dill sauce. Follow these steps for perfectly grilled salmon:

  1. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (about 400-450°F). Clean the grates and oil them to prevent sticking.

  2. Two salmon fillets, topped with salt and pepper, on aluminum foil.

    Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and brush them lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.  Spread thin slices of lemon on top of the salmon.  Set aside.

    Two salmon fillets topped with three lemon slices each.

  3. Grill the Salmon: Place the salmon on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on thickness. Grill until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

  4. Rest and Serve: Remove the salmon from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve with a generous drizzle of lemon dill sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, making it a few hours ahead or even a day before allows the flavors to meld and intensify. Just keep it covered and refrigerated until ready to use.

2. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely. Greek yogurt is a great substitute that will add extra tanginess and lighten the sauce slightly.

3. Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is highly recommended for the best flavor, but in a pinch, bottled lemon juice can be used. Start with a little less and adjust to taste.

4. How long will this sauce keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this sauce will keep for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.

The Lemon Dill Grilled Salmon Recipe

grilled salmon, sauce for fish, lemon sauce
dinner
American
Yield: 4-6
Author: Donna Urso
Lemon Dill Sauce for Grilled Salmon

Lemon Dill Sauce for Grilled Salmon

This quick and easy lemon dill sauce recipe is the perfect creamy topping for grilled salmon. Made with mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and dill, it’s versatile and delicious!

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

For the Sauce
For the Grilled Salmon

Instructions

To Prepare the Sauce
  1. Mix the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth.
  2. Add Lemon and Dill: Stir in the lemon juice and dill. Adjust the lemon juice to taste, adding more if you prefer a tangier or thinner sauce.
  3. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Start with a pinch of each and adjust as needed.
  4. Chill and Serve: For best flavor, cover and refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld. Serve over grilled salmon and enjoy!
For the Grilled Salmon
  1. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (about 400-450°F). Clean the grates and oil them to prevent sticking.
  2. Place the salmon fillets on a sheet of aluminum foil to assist with easy removal of the skin. Top with lemon slices, if desired, and set aside.
  3. Salt and Pepper to taste
  4. Grill the Salmon: Place the salmon on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on thickness. Grill until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the salmon from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve with a generous drizzle of lemon dill sauce.

Notes

Adjust the dill, lemon, salt, and pepper to your taste.

Recommended Products

Cutting Board Set

Citrus Juicer

Citrus Reamer

Nutrition Facts

Calories

310

Fat (grams)

29 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

7 g

Carbs (grams)

2 g

Fiber (grams)

0 g

Net carbs

2 g

Sugar (grams)

1 g

Protein (grams)

9 g

Sodium (milligrams)

302 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

52 mg

Nutritional information is approximate. Sauce only.

Similar Recipes

Southwest Salmon with Sriracha Sauce

Chili-Lime Grilled Steaks

A Magical Marinade for Grilled Shrimp

©Just One Donna

Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 
16 comments
Read more

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

Donna Urso
If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!
2 comments
Read more

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Donna Urso
Today I'm sharing my recipe for the cookie recipe that I think is the ultimate spice cookie, Gingersnaps. Crunchy, spicy, and yummy are all words used to describe a good gingersnap cookie and this recipe delivers! While you may love a gooey chocolate chip cookie occasionally substituting a spicy gingersnaps cookie or  this molasses cookie  will make your taste buds sing!  Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation. In the U.S., gingersnaps are usually drop cookies with lots of cracks on the surface.  That's exactly how I like them.  Those found in other countries may be thinner and sliced.  The Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie, and the pepparkakor, from Sweden, are often cut into festiv...
9 comments
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
Are you searching for the ultimate, classic New England whoopie pie recipe? Look no further! Whoopie pies are a beloved treat, a nostalgic dessert that evokes childhood memories and continues to delight today. My mom would make them for us every once in a while. Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies! This recipe, inspired by traditional Maine-style whoopie pies, comes from my family recipe box. It delivers soft, chocolatey cakes with a rich, creamy cooked filling – no marshmallow fluff needed! The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff This post includes affiliate links. Whoopie pies are essentially handheld cake sandwiches: soft, round, cake-like cookies embracing a luscious, creamy filling.  While their origin is debated, New Englanders proudly claim them as their own. This recipe focuses on the traditional Maine-style filling, a cooked flour and milk mixture that creates a uniquely satisfying t...
9 comments
Read more

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bre...
2 comments
Read more

Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Donna Urso
Are you looking for an easy dinner roll recipe? The easiest way to make fresh dinner rolls is with your bread machine. Relax while you use the dough setting of your bread machine to get the time-intensive steps out of the way. You'll be delighted with the results of this easy bread machine dinner roll recipe. The best bread machine dinner rolls are the ones you make yourself. How to Make Bread Machine Dinner Rolls This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you use your bread machine to make dinner rolls most of the work is done by the machine.  You'll be delighted with how easy it is to make fresh rolls. While most of the work is being done by the bread machine you can be doing something else.
4 comments
Read more

The Ultimate Cinnamon Swirl Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

Donna Urso
Today's recipe will fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma and lots of smiles. It's homemade cinnamon swirl bread made with your bread machine Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread in Your Bread Machine  This post includes affiliate links. This recipe brings together the ease of your trusty bread machine with the deliciousness of a warm, sweet, and perfectly swirled cinnamon bread. Get ready for a slice of pure comfort!
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Donna Urso
Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades This post includes affiliate links. I may receive compensation when you use these links. When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.
22 comments
Read more

Amaretti Cookies for Your Christmas Cookie Platter

Donna Urso
Are you looking for Christmas cookie suggestions? During the holiday season, while you're pondering classic Christmas cookie favorites like sugar cookies and gingerbread men, consider adding a touch of Italian flair to your Christmas cookie platter.  Try Amaretti, delicate Italian almond cookies, with a subtly sweet flavor and crumbly texture. They are sure to become a cherished family treat. These classic Italian cookies have become a favorite Christmas cookie at my house. How to Make Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies Homemade Amaretti cookies bring a touch of sophistication and elegance to any dessert spread, making them perfect holiday treats. Their crisp, slightly chewy texture offers a delightful contrast to the usual soft, gooey holiday desserts. With a subtle almond sweetness, these cookies appeal to adults and kids alike and bring a taste of Italy to your holiday table. What Are Amaretti Cookies? Amaretti cookies have a rich history i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Easy Chicken Parmesan-A Make Ahead Freezer Dinner

Donna Urso
Chicken Parmesan is a favorite dinner in the Just One Donna house because it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your cravings for Italian food. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.  But what if you don't have time to cook on a busy weeknight? Don't worry, you can make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time and freeze it for later. I like to prepare Chicken Parmesan to have on hand in my freezer for those busy weeknights when we might be tempted to head to a restaurant instead of eating at home.  How to Make Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Busy Nights This post contains affiliate links.  I receive a small compensation when you shop using these links Easy Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Dinner Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chi...
Post a Comment
Read more