Lemon Dill Salmon Creamy Cucumber (Printable)

Fresh salmon with zesty lemon and dill, paired with a cool creamy cucumber salad for a vibrant, healthy meal option.

# List of ingredients:

→ For the Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skinless or skin-on as preferred)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ For the Creamy Cucumber Salad

09 - 2 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
10 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
12 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
15 - ½ teaspoon salt
16 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper.
03 - Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the lemon-dill mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
04 - Bake the salmon for 12–15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
05 - While the salmon bakes, prepare the salad: In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, sour cream, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
06 - Add the sliced cucumbers and red onion to the dressing; toss to coat evenly. Chill until ready to serve.
07 - Serve the warm lemon dill salmon alongside the creamy cucumber salad. Garnish with extra dill or lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between warm citrusy fish and cool crisp salad hits every satisfying note on a busy weeknight
  • You get restaurant quality presentation with barely fifteen minutes of active cooking time
02 -
  • Overcooked salmon turns dry and sad so pull it from the oven while there is still a hint of translucency in the center
  • The cucumber salad actually improves after sitting for ten minutes so do not stress about timing everything perfectly
03 -
  • Marinate the salmon for up to thirty minutes if you have time for deeper flavor penetration
  • Let the cucumber salad chill for at least ten minutes before serving to let the flavors meld

Go back