Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill Sauce for Salmon
Sneak Preview: This no-cook cucumber dill sauce combines Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for a cool, creamy accompaniment to salmon or other fish. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare.
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This simple yogurt, cucumber, and dill sauce is a relative of Greek tzatziki sauce, minus the clove garlic. However, we’ve never called it that, probably because we weren’t sure how to say or spell the word. It’s especially good with salmon.
I adapted this recipe from a rather old cookbook, Best Recipes From the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars (paid link), by Ceil Dyer. I used to serve it with a canned salmon loaf. Since I rarely use canned salmon anymore, this cucumber sauce has become one of my favorite accompaniments for grilled salmon–when I’m not eating Salmon Almondine.
Ingredients & Substitutions
GREEK YOGURT: Use plain Greek yogurt rather than regular yogurt, which may make the sauce too thin. Homemade Greek yogurt works well. Substitute sour cream or crème fraîche if desired.
MAYONNAISE: Mayonnaise mellows the yogurt’s tang and gives the sauce a richer consistency. I prefer mayonnaise made with olive oil, but your favorite variety will work.
CUCUMBER: English and Persian cucumbers contain fewer large seeds and release less water. If using a regular cucumber, peel it, remove the large seeds, chop it finely, and pat it dry before adding it to the sauce.
ONION POWDER: Onion powder blends smoothly into the sauce. For a stronger onion flavor, substitute a small amount of finely grated fresh onion.
DILL: Fresh dill provides the best flavor. Substitute dried dill using the amount specified in the recipe.
Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill Sauce for Salmon
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (75 g) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (114 g) plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (75 g) cucumbers, peeled and finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon powdered onion
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (or ½ teaspoon dried dill)
Instructions
- Combine ⅓ cup (75 g) mayonnaise, ½ cup (114 g) plain Greek yogurt, ½ cup (75 g) cucumbers, peeled and finely chopped, ¼ teaspoon powdered onion, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (or ½ teaspoon dried dill).
- Garnish with fresh dill.
- Chill.
Notes
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for SaladinaJar.com
Serving Suggestions
Dill is a rather assertive herb and perfect for the personality of salmon or any stronger-flavored fish. We also like it with breaded chicken.
Serve this sauce with grilled or baked salmon, salmon patties, other strongly flavored fish, or breaded chicken.
Final Thoughts
My daughter-in-law calls us the condiment family. We think everything tastes better with a condiment. This sauce is a must for baked or grilled salmon.
One final note: I highly recommend visiting Once Upon a Chef.com for her fresh salmon patties. This Greek yogurt sauce is the perfect condiment.
— Paula, Home Economist
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Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com — photos help!
Great recipe have made it several times great on wraps
what are the calories for this yogurt cucumber dip?
Hi Lori,
If you get 4 servings per recipe, it’s about 90 calories per serving, although that can vary depending on the brand of mayonnaise and yogurt you use. I also noticed the recipe was not quite right (all ingredients listed twice) as the result of a recent site-wide recipe conversion process. Glad you indirectly brought my attention to it.
So simple and delicious – love this kind of preparation.
I’m making my menu for next week and I’m planning salmon patties – I think this sauce will breathe some new life into my recipe! Thanks Paula
I love cucumbers and this sauce makes me want to make salmon tonight. The hubby hates cucumbers but he’s gone this evening. Sounds like the perfect dinner! 😉
I love, love cucumbers but I dislike dill. Can we still be friends? Do you think I could use chives or something and it would still be acceptable?
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Can’t imagine why chives wouldn’t work. Honestly, I’m not huge on dill and I really dislike cucumbers but for some reason, I like this stuff. Go figure.
My husband loves fish, can’t get enough of it. He’d very much enjoy this yogurt & cucumber sauce I’m sure.
ok, nevermind….it appears that you already have a “dips & dressings” category.
yep, looks like a good condiment for the “condiment” family! maybe you need a post on your favorite condiments? or possibly a whole food category just called “condiments.” there would definitely be a lot!
We eat a lot of fresh fish. My daughter’s boyfriend owns a sports fishing boat and I’m always willing to take any extra the catch of the day. Having sauces to dress up fish is a great way to liven things up.
MImi
Sounds delicious! I will try that this week!
I have to agree with you on fish consumption for myself, just didn’t get brought up eating it much. As kids I loved fishing but never ate what we caught because it was rainbow trout and it was super fishy tasting. Mom burned me out on canned tuna so don’t really ever want canned tuna. The yogurt sauce sound great I still need to get the courage to make your Greek yogurt.
Sounds delish! I love fresh cukes from the garden. I just made yogurt yesterday and brought in cukes from garden so I’ll try it. Sounds like it would be good on anthing..
I love seafood but unfortunately here in Chicago, it can be expensive and our choices are often limited. This sauce would also work with lamb burgers!
Sounds fresh and clean. Since I eat a lot of salmon, (I work in a grocery store, so I have easy access) I’ll certainly give this a try!
I can do cucumbers far easier than I can do fish. I just don’t seem to have a taste for it. But, the cucumber sauce sounds light, bright and flavorful and a great accompaniment for salmon. I like the idea of the dill.