Dill Sauce for Salmon is a creamy, flavorful sauce made with sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh dill, lemon juice, onion, and prepared horseradish. It comes together in minutes and adds a bright, tangy finish to baked, grilled, poached, or pan-seared salmon. For more seafood inspiration, explore my Best Side Dishes for Salmon.

Dill Sauce for Salmon

If you’re looking for more homemade sauce recipes, try my How to Make Tzatziki Sauce and Homemade 5-Minute Pizza Sauce.

This easy homemade sauce can be prepared ahead of time, making it especially convenient for busy weeknight dinners or entertaining. It also tastes delicious with salmon patties, crab cakes, shrimp, roasted vegetables, and baked potatoes.

Fresh dill and lemon give the sauce a light, refreshing flavor, while sour cream and mayonnaise make it rich and creamy. Prepared horseradish adds a subtle kick that keeps the sauce from tasting too heavy.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise – creates a rich, creamy base for the sauce.
• Sour Cream – adds tanginess and keeps the sauce light and refreshing.
• Onion – adds savory flavor and a little texture.
• Lemon Juice – brightens the sauce and complements the salmon.
• Prepared Horseradish – gives the sauce a subtle, zesty kick.
• Fresh Dill – provides the sauce with its signature herb flavor.
• Garlic Salt – seasons the sauce and adds a mild garlic flavor.
• Pepper – adds a touch of warmth and balances the other flavors.

How to Make It

Note: This is a quick overview of the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete ingredient list, exact measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped onion, lemon juice, prepared horseradish, fresh dill, garlic salt, and pepper to a medium bowl.

Step 2: Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Spoon the dill sauce over cooked salmon and garnish with lemon slices and fresh dill, if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Use full-fat sour cream for the richest flavor and creamiest consistency.
• Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for the sour cream for a lighter, tangier sauce.
• For the best flavor, prepare the dill sauce at least 30 minutes before serving and refrigerate it to allow the flavors to blend.
• Substitute finely chopped shallot for the onion if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Add a small amount of Dijon mustard or minced garlic for extra depth of flavor.
• For a spicier sauce, replace the regular prepared horseradish with wasabi horseradish.
• Garnish the sauce with fresh dill or lemon zest just before serving.
• This versatile dill sauce can also be used as a salad dressing, vegetable dip, or topping for baked potatoes.

How long to cook baked salmon?

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Brush the salmon with olive oil and season with kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your favorite salmon seasoning. Place the salmon skin-side down on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve with the creamy lemon dill sauce.

Storage

• Store leftover dill sauce for salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Give the sauce a good stir before serving.
• Freezing is not recommended because the sour cream and mayonnaise can separate, causing the sauce to become watery or grainy when thawed.

What to Pair with Dill Sauce

• Crab cakes
• Fish and chips
• Fish tacos
• Add it to potato salad
• French fries
• Roasted or grilled vegetables
• Falafel or chickpea patties
• Grilled shrimp or prawns
• Baked potatoes
• Sandwiches or wraps

Salmon Toolbox

Whether you’re grilling, baking, smoking, or pan-searing salmon, these kitchen essentials make preparing a delicious salmon dinner even easier.

• Cedar Grilling Planks – Perfect for infusing salmon with a subtle smoky, wood-fired flavor on the grill.
• Fish Spatula – A thin, flexible spatula designed to slide under delicate fillets without breaking them apart.
• Fish Tweezers – Makes removing pin bones from fresh salmon quick and easy.
• Grill Basket – Helpful for grilling vegetables alongside your salmon without losing smaller pieces through the grates. The perfect accessory to make side dishes for salmon.
• Salmon Seasoning Blend – Adds bold flavor to salmon with minimal effort.

This creamy Dill Sauce for Salmon is an easy way to add fresh, tangy flavor to your favorite seafood dishes. With its rich texture, bright lemon, fresh dill, and subtle horseradish kick, it turns a simple salmon dinner into something special. Keep this versatile recipe handy for salmon patties, crab cakes, shrimp, vegetables, and more.

Be sure to save this creamy Dill Sauce for Salmon recipe to your favorite Pinterest recipe board so you can easily find it whenever seafood is on the menu.

You can find me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

More Delicious Recipes

• Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe
• Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib
• The Best Mint Yogurt Sauce for Lamb
• Smoked Salmon Chowder

Tried This Recipe?

I love hearing your feedback. Please leave a star rating and review below.