This easy Dill Sauce for Salmon recipe is fresh, creamy, and ready in 5 minutes. So quick and tasty you’ll make it on repeat!
I make this tangy dill sauce constantly. It’s bright and lemony with fresh herbs.
The creamy texture pairs perfectly with flaky fish. I love how simple it is to throw together.
Dill Sauce for Salmon: Ingredients
Here’s what you need for this creamy dill sauce.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base that makes this sauce rich and smooth.
- Sour cream: Adds tang and lightens the texture. You can swap in full-fat Greek yogurt.
- Fresh dill: The star ingredient. Fresh dill has a bright, grassy flavor that dried dill can’t match.
- Lemon juice: Brings acidity and brightness to balance the richness.
- Lemon zest: Adds extra citrus flavor without more liquid.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning.
- Cream or milk: Optional, use a tablespoon for thinning the sauce if you want it looser. You could also use a little olive oil for richness.
Full recipe quantities listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the article.
Variations and Substitutions
Make this sauce work for you with these simple swaps.
- Greek yogurt: Use it instead of sour cream for extra tang and protein.
- Dried dill: Use 2 tsp dried dill if you don’t have fresh. The flavor won’t be as bright, but it works.
- Capers: Add 1 tbsp chopped capers for a briny kick.
- Horseradish: Add a small spoonful to taste if you like that pungent heat.
- Garlic: Stir in 1 minced garlic clove for extra flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Add 1 tsp for a subtle tang and complexity.
This sauce is perfect with my baked salmon mayonnaise recipe, air fryer frozen salmon, or foolproof grilled salmon.
Grab These Tools
You only need basic kitchen tools for this recipe.
- Small mixing bowl for combining ingredients.
- Whisk or spoon to stir everything together.
- Measuring spoons for accurate quantities.
- Zester or grater for the lemon zest.
- Sharp knife and cutting board for mincing the dill.
How to Make Dill Sauce for Salmon: An Easy Guide
This sauce comes together in minutes. Just stir and chill in the refrigerator.
Combine the Base
Add mayonnaise and sour cream to a bowl. These create the creamy foundation.
Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Add the Flavor
Stir in the minced dill, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add salt and pepper.
Mix everything until very well combined. You want the dill distributed evenly throughout.
Adjust Consistency
If you want a looser sauce, add cream or milk. Start with 1 tbsp and add more as needed.
The sauce will be thick straight from the bowl. Thinning it helps it drizzle better.
Chill and Serve
Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes if you have time. This helps the flavors meld.
Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make this sauce up to 2 days ahead for easy meal prep.
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Best within 24 hours: The fresh dill flavor is brightest on day one.
- Stir before serving: The sauce may separate slightly. Just give it a quick stir.
Freezing
- Not recommended: Mayonnaise-based sauces don’t freeze well. The texture breaks down when thawed.
How to Serve This Dill Sauce Recipe
Serve chilled or at cool room temperature. It’s perfect with oven baked salmon, garnished with more fresh dill and a lemon slice, or any favorite fish or seafood.
You can even drizzle it over grilled chicken, lamb or use it as a salad dressing or veggie dip.
I love serving it with my cod and potato cakes or salmon cakes, too!
Other Ways to Use Dill Sauce
- Spread on salmon sandwiches or wraps.
- Dollop on salmon burgers.
- Use as a dip for vegetables or crackers.
- Drizzle over roasted potatoes or crock pot potatoes.
- Serve alongside grilled vegetables.
Side Dishes for Salmon with Dill Sauce
Pair your salmon and sauce with these simple sides to make a complete meal:
- Easy basmati rice
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Indian cucumber salad
- Steamed asparagus or green beans
- Roasted vegetables
Check out my full list of side dishes for salmon for more ideas.
How to Make the Best Dill Sauce: Final Notes + Secrets
Here are my top tips for perfect dill sauce every time.
- Fresh is best: Fresh dill makes all the difference. It’s worth a trip to the store.
- Zest first, juice second: Always zest your lemon before juicing it. It’s much easier.
- Room temperature ingredients: Let mayo and sour cream sit out for 10 minutes before mixing. They combine more easily.
- Mince dill finely: Large pieces of dill don’t distribute well. Mince it small for even flavor.
- Add liquid gradually: If thinning the sauce, add cream a little at a time. You can always add more.
- Let it rest: Even 10 minutes in the fridge helps flavors meld beautifully.
If you love creamy sauces, you’ll also enjoy my baja sauce, Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Alabama White Sauce, Indian Yogurt Sauce.
FAQs About Dill Sauce
Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.
You can make dill sauce without sour cream by using all Greek yogurt instead. Full-fat Greek yogurt gives you a similar tang and creamy texture. The sauce will be slightly thicker, so you might want to thin it with a bit of milk. Another option is to use all mayonnaise for a richer, less tangy sauce.
Dill sauce lasts up to 3 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. The flavor is brightest within the first 24 hours when the dill is freshest. After 2 days, the dill may start to lose its vibrant green color and fresh flavor. Always give it a stir before serving as it may separate slightly.
Fresh dill can be substituted with 2 tsp dried dill if needed. The flavor won’t be as bright or grassy, but it works in a pinch. You could also try fresh parsley or cilantro for a different herby flavor profile. For a similar anise-like taste, try a small amount of fresh tarragon.
This dill sauce works beautifully on other fish besides salmon. Try it on grilled halibut, baked cod, or pan-seared trout. It’s also delicious on fish tacos or as a dip for fish sticks. The bright, lemony flavor complements any mild white fish or rich, fatty fish equally well.
Dill sauce is not the same as tartar sauce, though they share some ingredients. Tartar sauce typically includes chopped pickles or relish along with mayonnaise, giving it a sweet-tangy flavor. Dill sauce focuses on fresh dill and lemon for a lighter, herbier taste. Both are great with fish, but dill sauce is fresher and brighter.
You can make this sauce dairy-free by using vegan mayonnaise and dairy-free sour cream or yogurt. Brands like Kite Hill or Silk make good dairy-free alternatives. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious. Make sure to choose unsweetened dairy-free yogurt to keep the sauce savory.
Dill sauce should be served cold or at cool room temperature, never warm. Serving it chilled brings out the fresh, bright flavors of the dill and lemon. If the sauce has been refrigerated, you can let it sit out for 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Warming it would break down the mayonnaise.
You can definitely add garlic to this dill sauce for extra flavor. Stir in 1 minced garlic clove or 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Fresh garlic gives a stronger, sharper taste while garlic powder is more mellow. If using fresh garlic, let the sauce chill for at least 30 minutes to mellow the raw garlic flavor.
Other Salmon Recipes You’ll Love
- Baked salmon with mayonnaise
- Cajun honey butter salmon
- Honey teriyaki glazed salmon
- Air fryer frozen salmon
- More moist salmon recipes
Dill Sauce for Salmon (Quick + Easy!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or full-fat greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp minced fresh dill
- 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp cream or milk optional
Instructions
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Stir until smooth and very well combined.
- Add cream or milk if you like a looser texture.
- Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes if you have time. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Bright and sunny, this dill sauce is so easy! Thanks for the beautiful recipe, Jenn.