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.

cucumber yogurt sauce on grilled salmonPin

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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.
  • 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,

cucumber sauce in a bowlPin
No cooking is required. Chop, stir the ingredients together, and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?

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.

Can I freeze this sauce?

No. Freezing will change the texture. When thawed, the sauce tends to curdle.

Can I use this sauce with anything else?

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.


cucumber yogurt sauce on grilled salmonPin
Yield: 8 2 Tablespoons

Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill Sauce for Crazy-Good Salmon

This unforgettable, mild sauce weaves together the velvety richness of mayonnaise, the creamy tang of Greek yogurt, the refreshing crunch of cucumbers, and the herby goodness of fresh dill. Serve with any fish, but salmon is especially memorable.

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(5 stars if you loved it)

4 from 18 votes
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Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 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

Serving: 1 | Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com

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18 Comments

  1. Great recipe have made it several times great on wraps

  2. what are the calories for this yogurt cucumber dip?

    1. 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.

  3. So simple and delicious – love this kind of preparation.

  4. 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

  5. Megan's Cookin' says:

    5 stars
    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! 😉

  6. TheKitchenWitch says:

    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?

    1. Sometimes you make me cry, sometimes you make me cringe, but most of the time you just make me laugh, like today. You are so talented my friend. Have you started on your autobiography?

      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.

  7. My husband loves fish, can’t get enough of it. He’d very much enjoy this yogurt & cucumber sauce I’m sure.

  8. ok, nevermind….it appears that you already have a “dips & dressings” category.

  9. 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!

  10. 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

  11. Sounds delicious! I will try that this week!

  12. 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.

  13. Judith M Helie says:

    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..

  14. Ann Baker says:

    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!

  15. 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!

  16. 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.