This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy.
This lemon dill sauce is quick and easy! It takes just 5 minutes to stir together and is perfect on salmon or as a dip for veggies.
Here’s a rich and creamy sauce that’s perfect for salmon, fish or veggies: lemon dill sauce! The great thing about this sauce is that there’s no cooking required at all. All you need is 5 minutes to stir it together in a bowl.
What we love about this recipe: The amount of flavor you’ll get from a few ingredients will blow you away. We make this one over and over in our house, and it’s perfect for everything from baked salmon to grilled chicken to veggie power bowls. This lemon dill sauce is ready to shine! Here’s how to make it and ways to serve it.
Ingredients in lemon dill sauce
This dill sauce takes only 5 minutes to mix up and is so tasty, you’ll want to use it on just about anything! Many dill sauces are cooked, but this one is just a matter of stirring up the ingredients. Alex and I make this one often when we’re in need of a simple, crowd-pleasing drizzle. To make lemon dill sauce, simply stir together these ingredients (or see the full recipe below):
- Fresh dill. It’s important to use fresh dill in this recipe. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute 2 teaspoons dried dill for the 2 tablespoons fresh.
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. The richness of the sauce is cut with a bit with Greek yogurt. making it creamy and zingy.
- Lemon. Fresh lemon is key for the zingy flavor.
- Garlic powder and onion powder. These spices add big flavor.
Tips for how to make lemon dill sauce
There are just a few tips about this sauce to know before you mix it up:
- Make your desired consistency by varying the water. There can be a lot of variation in thickness between Greek yogurt brands. Add just enough water to come to the right consistency, adding a little more as necessary.
- Double the recipe if desired. This sauce makes just under ¾ cup. If you think you’ll be using it in a recipe that requires more sauce, make 1.5 or 2 times the amount.
Ways to serve lemon dill sauce
This lemon dill sauce is perfect with salmon: in fact, the first way we served it was this lemon dill Salmon. But there are so many more uses! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Salmon: This is the best sauce for salmon! Try it on baked salmon, grilled salmon, or pan seared salmon.
- Shrimp: It’s a fabulous dip or drizzle for shrimp. Try it with with garlic butter shrimp, grilled shrimp, or grilled shrimp skewers.
- Fish: Baked trout, Parmesan crusted tilapia, or other baked fish work well with this sauce.
- Potatoes: Try lemon dill sauce as a dip or drizzle for French fries, baked potato wedges, sweet potatoes, sweet potato fries, or grilled potato wedges.
- Broccoli or cauliflower: Try it with roasted cauliflower, steamed cauliflower, sauteed broccoli, or roasted broccoli.
- Asparagus: Another key vegetable is baked asparagus or grilled asparagus.
Best recipes with fresh dill
When the summer hits, our garden always has an abundance of dill. It’s so easy to grow fresh dill: all you need is a few pots and a sunny ledge: no garden space required! (Go to How to Grow Herbs.) If you’ve got lots of fresh dill, or just love buying copious amounts like we do, here are a few of our best dill recipes to use it:
- Pickles: Why not make your own dill pickles? They’re crisp and delicious, full of amazing tangy flavor.
- Potato salad: Throw fresh dill into this dill potato salad and you’ll be amazed at the fresh, beautiful herby flavor.
- Cucumber salad: Cucumbers and dill are a classic pair. Try classic cucumber salad or creamy cucumber salad.
- Dips: Fresh dill is fabulous in dips. Try dill pickle dip or dill sauce.
Dietary notes
This lemon dill sauce recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
This creamy or mayonnaise-based sauce typically features mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh dill, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sometimes, sour cream or Greek yogurt can be used as a base for a lighter option.
The sauce offers a delightful balance of fresh, tangy lemon flavor with the herbaceous aroma and slight pepperyness of dill. The creamy base ties it all together for a smooth and flavorful sauce.
Lemon dill sauce is typically served cold or at room temperature.
Yes, but fresh dill offers a more vibrant flavor. If using dried dill, use ½ teaspoon for every 1 tablespoon of fresh dill called for in the recipe.
A dollop of Dijon mustard or a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese can add depth and complexity to the sauce.
This versatile sauce complements a variety of dishes! It’s perfect with seafood (like salmon, cod, or shrimp), roasted vegetables, potato salad, or even as a dip for crudités.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Easy Lemon Dill Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About ¾ cup 1x
Description
This lemon dill sauce is quick and easy! It takes just 5 minutes to stir together and is perfect on salmon or as a dip for veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients, adding the water last. Use the water to bring it to a loose, drizzle-able consistency. (You may need a touch more depending on your yogurt brand.) Enjoy immediately or store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
I am a senior citizen .just met the love of my life..we need to learn to cook.i haven’t cooked much since 1980.