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Easy Lemon Dill Sauce for Grilled Salmon

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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 lemon-dill 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.

5. I don't have a grill.  How do I cook salmon in a pan on the stove?

  1. Remove the salmon from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before cooking. Pat it dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings.

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan.

  3. Place the salmon in the pan flesh-side down. Press gently with a spatula for a few seconds to ensure even contact with the pan.

  4. Cook without moving the salmon for 2 to 3 minutes, or until a golden-brown crust forms.

  5. Carefully turn the salmon so the skin side is down. Reduce the heat to medium.

  6. Cover the pan and continue cooking skin-side down for 4 to 6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The skin will become crisp while the salmon finishes cooking gently.

  7. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F for medium or 145°F for fully cooked salmon.

  8. Remove the salmon from the pan and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Tip: Use a fish spatula to gently lift the fish from the skin.  It will easily separate.

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.

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Chili-Lime Grilled Steaks

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©Just One Donna

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