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Fresh Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon with Easy Creamy Cucumber Dill Sauce

Fresh Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon - featured image
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A quick and easy grilled salmon recipe featuring bright lemon and fresh herbs, paired with a cool, creamy cucumber dill sauce that balances the rich fish perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each), skin on for crispiness
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
  • 1/2 English cucumber, finely grated and drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme leaves, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until well mixed.
  2. Marinate the salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them skin-side down in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over and gently rub it in. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Make the creamy cucumber dill sauce: While the salmon marinates, grate the cucumber finely and squeeze out excess liquid using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, chopped dill, lemon juice, Dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (around 400°F / 200°C). If using a grill pan, preheat it over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface.
  5. Grill the salmon: Place the fillets skin-side down on the grill. Grill for about 4-5 minutes without moving them. Carefully flip the salmon and grill for another 3-4 minutes, or until the thickest part flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature 125°F / 52°C for medium doneness).
  6. Rest and serve: Remove salmon from the grill and let it rest for 3 minutes. Serve topped with a generous dollop of the creamy cucumber dill sauce and extra lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible to maintain even heat. If salmon sticks to the grill, wait a little longer before flipping. Pat salmon dry before marinating to ensure a good sear. Sauce can be made ahead and stored separately. For a vegan twist, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and lemon juice with lime juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled salmon, lemon herb salmon, cucumber dill sauce, healthy salmon recipe, easy grilled fish, summer dinner, quick salmon recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/fresh-lemon-herb-grilled-salmon-recipe-with-easy-creamy-cucumber-dill-sauce/