Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill Sauce for Crazy-Good Salmon
Sneak Preview: This recipe for Greek Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill Sauce is a simple no-cook sauce that goes perfectly with fish. With just a few ingredients–mayo, Greek yogurt, crisp cucumbers, and aromatic dill– you can whip up a delightful condiment that will take your salmon to a whole new level.
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This simple yogurt, cucumber, and sauce is a relative of Greek tzatziki sauce, minus the clove garlic. It’s especially good with salmon. However, we’ve never called it that, probably because we weren’t sure how to say or spell the word.
This recipe for cucumber and dill sauce is adapted from a rather old book, Best Recipes From the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars (paid link), by Ceil Dyer. I used to serve it with a salmon loaf made from canned salmon, but since I rarely use canned salmon anymore, this cucumber sauce has become one of my favorite accompaniments for grilled salmon.
I highly recommend visiting Once Upon a Chef.com for her fresh salmon patties. This Greek yogurt sauce is the perfect condiment.
Happy Cooks Speak Up
“So simple and delicious – love this kind of preparation.”–KELLY
Ingredients and Substitutions
- MAYONNAISE: Olive oil mayonnaise is my favorite, but any kind will work. Low-fat or reduced-fat are also suitable.
- GREEK YOGURT: I’ve made this condiment/sauce for years with sour cream. But now that I always have homemade Greek yogurt in my fridge, I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. It tastes even better. Another option would be Crème Fraîche.
- If you have only regular yogurt, try straining it with a coffee filter inside a small strainer. The longer you let it strain, the thicker it will be.
- CUCUMBERS: No substitutes that I can think of. You could leave the cucumbers out, but it wouldn’t be cucumber sauce.
- POWDERED ONION: If you don’t mind a strong onion flavor, try grating a small amount.
- DILL: Only use half as much if dried dill is substituted for fresh. Fresh dill sprigs make a nice garnish.
I’ve been making this condiment/sauce with sour cream for years. These days, I always have homemade Greek yogurt in my fridge, so I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. It tastes even better. Another option would be Crème Fraîche,
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The cucumbers tend to get watery and will thin the sauce. On the other hand, if you can press and drain the water out of the cucumbers and pat them dry with a paper towel, this mixture will stay fresh longer.
No. Freezing will change the texture. When thawed, the sauce tends to curdle.
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.
Parting thoughts: As I’ve shared, we are the condiment family. Everything tastes better with a condiment. This sauce is a must for salmon. I hope you enjoy it.
Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.
Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill Sauce for Crazy-Good Salmon
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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 1/2 teaspoon dried
Instructions
- Combine 1/3 cup (75 g) mayonnaise, 1/2 cup (114 g) plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup (75 g) cucumbers, peeled and finely chopped, 1/4 teaspoon powdered onion, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill.
- Garnish with fresh dill.
- Chill.
Nutrition
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Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.