Cucumber Dill Salmon ~ pan seared salmon topped with a creamy cucumber dill sauce. Light, easy, healthy weeknight dinner ready in just 20 minutes.
With the holiday season coming, I really try to eat a little lighter before the onset of all the goodies but dang – it’s hard!So whenever possible, I try to incorporate lighter, healthier recipes like this Cucumber Dill Salmon. Pan seared salmon, topped with a tangy, creamy cucumber dill sauce made all in the same skillet.
Light, easy 20 minute healthy weeknight dinner so elegant you can easily entertain with it. A few simple ingredients come together to form the sauce but sour cream, heavy cream and mayonnaise are not among them.
The ingredients for this salmon are minimal and it whips up quickly with so much flavor it’s a great recipe to entertain with, too.
Cucumber Dill Salmon Ingredients:
- olive oil
- salmon
- salt and pepper
- lemon
- cucumber
- light cream cheese (or Greek yogurt cream cheese)
- dill (fresh or dry)
- low fat milk
The fresh herbs make all the difference in the taste. Greek yogurt cream cheese is like ‘regular’ cream cheese, but if you can’t find it, any light cream cheese is great. 
how to make cucumber dill salmon:
Preheat the oven to 400°, then drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil into a large oven-safe skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
Pat the moisture from the salmon using a paper towel then season with salt and pepper to taste.
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 then transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake 6-8 minutes or until firm and cooked through then transfer the salmon to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Bake time will vary depending upon the oven and size of the filets.
On top of the stove over low-medium heat, add the cream cheese and milk to the same skillet. Season with salt and pepper then stir to combine. Tip: Cubing the cream cheese helps combine it more easily.
Once the sauce is combined, if it’s too thick add a splash of milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the diced cucumber and one tablespoon of dill. Spoon the sauce over the salmon then garnish with additional lemon wedges.
This restaurant quality recipe is one of my most popular recipes several years running. Enjoy with brussels sprouts or your favorite side.
Do we share a love of all things salmon?
Honey Teriyaki is fake-out fancy made all in one skillet with an over the top 4-ingredient glaze that brings all the flavor.
Craving a warm bowl of chowder? Smoked Salmon Chowder with bites of smoked salmon and tender potatoes comes together in just 30 minutes.
If you tried this Cucumber Dill Salmon recipe or any other on the blog then I’d love to hear from you with a comment or star rating!
You can also LIKE ME on FACEBOOK, FOLLOW along on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST and SUBSCRIBE ⇓ for all the latest.
Cucumber Dill Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3-4 6 ounce salmon filets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon cut in 6 wedges
- 1/3 cup English cucumber cut in pea size cubes
- 4 oz cream cheese light or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
- 1/4 cup skim milk + an 2-3 tablespoons more skim milk
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Using an oven-safe skillet, drizzle olive oil into the pan and warm over medium heat.
- Pat moisture from salmon using a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
- 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.
- Bake the salmon 6-8 minutes or until it is firm and cooked through.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Watch the VIDEO below and see how easy this recipe is!
Mary says
This salmon recipe looks so good. Pinned.
Bernie says
Thank you for pinning and following along, Mary!
Courtney says
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 says
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 says
trying tonight…looks good
Bernie says
Hi Chris – I hope you enjoyed the dish. I’d love your feedback! 🙂
Chris says
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 says
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 says
Yum, making it tonight, can’t wait!
Bernie says
Hi Marlene – I’m so glad you’re trying the recipe! If you get a chance, I’d love your feedback. 🙂
Kema says
Anyone else having trouble reading the recipe directions? It’s cut off and I want to try this so bad!
Bernie says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Yum Yum !!! Looks so easy to make. Definitely trying this recipe.Thanks for sharing Bernie.
Bernie says
Hi Naomie – It’s super easy and one of our favorites! Thanks for stopping by ~ I hope you enjoy it too. 🙂
Emily says
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 says
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 says
Thank you so much! my mom and I can’t wait to try it!
Lisa says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious!!!! My husband and kids loved It!
Bernie says
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 says
I’m trying this tonight for my mom for mothers day dinner . But what would u recommend to cook with it besides asparagus?
Bernie says
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 says
It did thank u . We both loved it and will be making again.
Bernie says
Thanks for the follow up Lisa – so glad you both enjoyed it — that makes my day! 🙂