Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon Cucumber Dill Sauce (Printable)
Tender grilled salmon with zesty lemon herbs and cool cucumber dill yogurt sauce
# What You'll Need:
→ Salmon & Marinade
01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin on
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Cucumber Dill Sauce
10 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (whole milk or low-fat)
11 - 1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced (about 1/4 medium cucumber)
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
16 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, parsley, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Arrange the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure each fillet is thoroughly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
03 - While the salmon marinates, combine the Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until evenly incorporated, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
04 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove the salmon from the marinade and place the fillets skin-side down on the hot grill. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side, until the flesh flakes easily with a fork and prominent grill marks appear.
06 - Transfer the grilled salmon to individual plates. Spoon the cucumber dill sauce generously over each fillet, or serve the sauce alongside for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cucumber dill sauce is the kind of thing you will want to put on everything from roasted vegetables to sandwiches.
- It looks fancy enough for guests but comes together in under thirty minutes with barely any cleanup.
02 -
- If you flip the salmon too early it will stick and tear, so wait until the fillet releases from the grill on its own.
- Salting the diced cucumber and letting it drain for five minutes before adding it to the sauce prevents a puddle of water on your plate.
03 -
- Bring the salmon to room temperature for ten minutes before grilling so it cooks evenly from edge to center.
- Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel before applying the marinade because excess moisture prevents a good sear.