Cucumber Dill Salmon
Cucumber Dill Salmon ~ pan seared salmon topped with a creamy cucumber-dill sauce. Simple, sophisticated taste in just 20 minutes.
Today I’m throwing back to a few years ago when I first published this recipe. I’ve updated the photos ~ no longer using my iPhone in an attempt to show you drool-worthy food. I’ve even added a video thanks to my husband that shows how easy it is to make this dish in 20 minute ~ or less.
There are just a few ingredients in this light, fresh salmon with a creamy sauce but friends, mayonnaise isn’t one of them.
I buy most of our salmon from Sam’s Club ~ where you can buy a new chair for the family room, prescription eyeglasses and a nice bottle of wine all under the same roof. Last summer though we went salmon fishing in Lake Michigan and caught enough salmon that it almost filled our freezer.
We finished the last filet about a month ago when I realized I was craving it, thus the update on this post. The recipe is the same, only the photos have changed.
The ingredients for this Cucumber Dill Salmon are minimal and it whips up really quickly but the flavor is elevated enough to entertain with.
Cucumber Dill Salmon Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- salmon filets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon
- English cucumber
- light (or Greek yogurt) cream cheese
- fresh dill minced
- low fat milk
The fresh herbs make all the difference and I just discovered this Greek yogurt cream cheese at my grocery store and like it really well. It looks, tastes and acts like ‘regular’ cream cheese, but if you can’t find it where you shop, any light cream cheese is great. 
Instructions:
Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees then using a large oven-safe skillet, drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil in and medium to medium-high heat.
Pat the moisture from the salmon filets using a paper towel then season them with salt and pepper.
Place the salmon in the skillet face down and sear both sides.
If your salmon has the skin on it, only sear the side without the skin.
Squeeze a wedge of lemon juice over the top of the salmon pieces then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake 6-8 minutes or until firm and cooked through.
Oven time will vary depending upon the size of the filets.
Once the salmon is done baking, transfer the filets to a plate or serving platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
On top of the stove over low-medium heat, add the cream cheese and milk to the same skillet then season with salt and pepper and combine for the sauce.
Tips: Cubing the cream cheese helps combine it more easily as does stirring it in an ‘s’ motion.
Once the sauce is combined, if it’s too thick add more milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the diced cucumber and one tablespoon of the fresh dill then spoon the sauce over the salmon filets and garnish with the additional dill lemon wedge.
This is one of my most popular recipes on the blog several years running because home cooks like us have seen that a few simple ingredients can come together for a really good dish they make over and over.
Enjoy!
If you tried this recipe or any other on the blog, don’t forget to leave a comment or star rating ~ I love hearing from you!
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- Olive oil
- 3-4 salmon filets
- Salt and pepper
- 1 lemon cut in 6 wedges
- 1/3 cup English cucumber cut in pea size cubes
- 4 oz light or Greek yogurt cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
- 1/4 cup + an additional 2-3 tablespoons of skim milk
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Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
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Using an oven-safe skillet, drizzle olive oil into the pan and warm over medium heat.
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Pat moisture from salmon using a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
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Sear the salmon on both sides (if your salmon has the skin on, sear only on side w/o skin) then squeeze the juice from one lemon wedge over the top of the salmon pieces.
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Bake the salmon 6-8 minutes or until it is firm and cooked through.
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Remove the salmon from the pan onto a serving platter and on top of the stove over low-medium heat, add the milk and cream cheese to the same skillet then season with salt and pepper.
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Using an 'S' motion, combine 1/4 cup of the skim milk and cream cheese (if the mixture is too thick, add more milk one tablespoon at a time).
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Turn off the heat and stir in the diced cucumber and ONE tablespoon of the fresh dill. Spoon the creamy dill sauce over the salmon filets.
Garnish with the additional dill and serve with a lemon wedge.
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Watch the VIDEO below and see how easy this recipe is!
Recipe Video
Comments
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Mary
February 24, 2016
This salmon recipe looks so good. Pinned.
Bernie
February 29, 2016
Thank you for pinning and following along, Mary!
Courtney
April 9, 2017
Help! This recipe looks amazing and I’ve purchased all the ingredients but for some reason the instructions on the page are cut off and I can’t see them. Is there any way you could send it to me please? Thank you so much!
Bernie
April 9, 2017
Hi Courtney – Yikes! I just checked and it seems to be when I view it on mobile – desktop seems to be okay but still NOT good. I’m going to look into why this is going on but in the meantime I’ll email you the directions at the email you listed. Thank you for bringing it to my attention – so sorry for the inconvenience.
Chris
April 5, 2017
trying tonight…looks good
Bernie
April 5, 2017
Hi Chris – I hope you enjoyed the dish. I’d love your feedback! 🙂
Chris
April 6, 2017
Hi Bernie, it was delicious…..funny thing, the wrapper my fish was salmon, so I had planned on making your recipe, turned out it was sword fish…..but the dill sauce was great….very good with any fish I bet
Bernie
April 6, 2017
Hey Chris – I’m so glad! That’s really funny about the fish. I’ve made this recipe a zillion times over the years and can I tell you I never once thought of switching up the fish? :O I will now! Thanks for a new recipe! Enjoy the day.
Marlene
April 9, 2017
Yum, making it tonight, can’t wait!
Bernie
April 9, 2017
Hi Marlene – I’m so glad you’re trying the recipe! If you get a chance, I’d love your feedback. 🙂
Kema
April 9, 2017
Anyone else having trouble reading the recipe directions? It’s cut off and I want to try this so bad!
Bernie
April 9, 2017
So sorry for the inconvenience Kema – you’re not alone unfortunately. It’s definitely a problem viewing it on mobile. I’m going to email you at the address you provided. Again, my apologies and I’m trying to get the mobile situation fixed!
Alyssa
April 10, 2017
I would love to have this recipe emailed to me! Planning on making it this week. Thank you for sharing such a yummy sounding recipe!
Bernie
April 10, 2017
Hi Alyssa – I’d be happy to email it to you – it’ll be sent to the address you provided. I’m in the process of trying to figure out what the problem is and why part of the instructions are cut off on mobile sites. In the meantime . . .
I hope you enjoy the recipe. I’d love your feedback!
Naomie Botlahle
April 10, 2017
Yum Yum !!! Looks so easy to make. Definitely trying this recipe.Thanks for sharing Bernie.
Bernie
April 10, 2017
Hi Naomie – It’s super easy and one of our favorites! Thanks for stopping by ~ I hope you enjoy it too. 🙂
Emily
April 10, 2017
Im making this tonight, but I’m in a summer cottage with no computer access. So i can see all the cooking directions via my mobile like everyone else. Any way i can get it emailed, so i can properly make this wonderful looking dish!
Bernie
April 10, 2017
Hi Emily – just saw this – hopefully you see this in time to make the salmon. Hoping to have this corrected by tomorrow, but it’s no problem emailing you the instructions. I’ll send them over now at the email you listed. Thanks for trying the recipe!
Emily
April 10, 2017
Thank you so much! my mom and I can’t wait to try it!
Lisa
April 10, 2017
DANG!! Bought all the ingredients and was about to make dinner but the recipe is cut off on my mobile phone and not showing up at all on my desktop system. The photo after “The ingredients are minimal…” is the end…only comments below that!!
Bernie
April 10, 2017
Hi Lisa – DANG is right – so frustrating I’m sure! I *think* I have the issue fixed, but I’m going to email you the instructions just in case. Thanks for trying the recipe – so glad for everyone letting me know about this problem – wouldn’t have known otherwise!
Amy
April 13, 2017
Just came across this recipe and I am going to try it for part of my Easter dinner-small crowd this year so I thought salmon would be a good addition to the menu. We are finally seeing signs of spring so I love the idea of the cucumber/dill sauce… two very light and fresh ingredients that just bring thoughts of warm weather to mind. Will let you know how it goes.
Bernie
April 14, 2017
Hi Amy – what a great menu idea for Easter! We’ve finally starting to enjoy some warmer days here, too. Won’t be long before we start gardening. I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do ~ I’d love your feedback. Happy Easter!
Ebony
May 2, 2017
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious!!!! My husband and kids loved It!
Bernie
May 3, 2017
Hi Ebony – I always LOVE when someone makes one of my recipes — especially when they enjoy it as much as you and your family did — makes my day. Thanks so much!
Lisa
May 14, 2017
I’m trying this tonight for my mom for mothers day dinner . But what would u recommend to cook with it besides asparagus?
Bernie
May 14, 2017
Hi Lisa – I hope this reaches you in time for your Mother’s Day dinner. I like light fresh sides — steamed or roasted broccoli, steamed fresh green beans, salad. Would love to know how you and your Mom liked the recipe. Enjoy the day!
Lisa
May 15, 2017
It did thank u . We both loved it and will be making again.
Bernie
May 17, 2017
Thanks for the follow up Lisa – so glad you both enjoyed it — that makes my day! 🙂