Vibrant Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce Recipe

Zesty Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful

Tender, flaky salmon meets its perfect match in a creamy feta dill sauce that dances with Mediterranean flavors.

This restaurant-worthy dish comes together in mere minutes, promising a gourmet experience right in your kitchen.

The zesty blend of tangy feta and fresh dill creates a luxurious coating that perfectly complements the rich salmon.

Bright herbs and salty cheese elevate every single bite with incredible depth and complexity.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through vibrant, fresh ingredients that sing with natural harmony.

You’ll love how effortlessly this elegant meal impresses at the dinner table.

Dive into this simple yet sophisticated recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight dinner into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Inside Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce

For Salmon Preparation:
  • Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught preferred for richer flavor and better texture, skin-on or skinless based on preference.
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens fish flavor and helps tenderize the salmon, choose fresh lemons for best results.
  • Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend that adds zesty warmth and depth to the fish.
For Sauce Base:
  • Butter: Creates rich, creamy foundation for sauce, use unsalted for better control of salt levels.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious smoothness and helps thicken sauce, look for high-fat content cream.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity and helps emulsify sauce, choose smooth, high-quality variety.
For Finishing and Garnish:
  • Feta Cheese: Introduces salty, creamy element with distinctive tang, select fresh, crumbly Greek-style feta.
  • Fresh Dill: Brings bright, herbaceous note that complements salmon perfectly, choose vivid green, fragrant sprigs.

Tools for Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce

  • Air Fryer or Baking Sheet: Essential for cooking salmon evenly and achieving a perfect flaky texture.
  • Skillet: Needed to create the creamy feta dill sauce with rich, bubbling ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: Perfect for accurately measuring lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and Dijon mustard.
  • Knife: Great for chopping fresh dill and crumbling feta cheese.
  • Stirring Spoon: Helps mix and stir the sauce while it simmers to the right consistency.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.

Instructions to Cook Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce

  • Salmon Preparation

Select fresh salmon fillets and enhance their flavor with a zesty citrus splash and a sprinkle of spicy seasoning. The goal is to create a light, tangy base that complements the fish’s natural richness.

  • Cooking Technique

Use an air fryer or traditional oven to cook the salmon. The high temperature ensures a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a tender, flaky inner texture. Aim for a golden-brown finish that signals complete cooking.

  • Creamy Sauce Creation

Craft a luxurious sauce by combining smooth dairy elements with a hint of tangy mustard. The key is to develop a rich, velvety consistency that will beautifully coat the delicate salmon.

  • Cheese and Herb Infusion

Introduce crumbly feta and fragrant dill to elevate the sauce’s complexity. Gently incorporate these ingredients, allowing their flavors to meld and create a Mediterranean-inspired finish.

  • Elegant Presentation

Drizzle the luscious sauce over the cooked salmon, creating an artful display. Sprinkle additional fresh herbs as a final flourish, transforming the dish into a visually stunning culinary experience.

Tips for Juicy Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce

  • Choose wild-caught or high-quality farm-raised salmon with firm, bright-colored flesh for the best flavor and texture.
  • Experiment with different herb combinations like za'atar, herbs de Provence, or Mediterranean spice mixes to enhance the salmon's flavor profile.
  • Grill the salmon on cedar planks for a smoky taste or poach in white wine for a delicate, tender result that pairs beautifully with the creamy feta sauce.
  • Replace feta with nutritional yeast or cashew cream for a plant-based alternative that maintains the rich, tangy sauce's essence.
  • Prepare the feta dill sauce up to two days in advance and gently reheat before serving to save time and develop deeper flavors.

How to Serve Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce Right

  • Coastal Plate Companions: Serve alongside fluffy quinoa or herbed rice for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
  • Bright Veggie Medley: Pair with roasted asparagus, honey-glazed carrots, or a crisp Greek salad to complement the salmon's rich flavor.
  • Wine and Dine Pairing: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or crisp pinot grigio that enhances the tangy feta and delicate salmon notes.
  • Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle extra fresh dill or chopped chives over the dish for a burst of color and additional herbal brightness.

Store Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce Easily

  • Fridge Fresh Zone: Store leftover salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers. The salmon stays delicious for 2-3 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below.
  • Sauce Smart Strategy: Keep the creamy feta dill sauce in a sealed container, which maintains optimal flavor and texture for up to 48 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Quick Reheat Method: Warm salmon gently in the microwave at 50% power to prevent drying. Add a small splash of water to help retain moisture and prevent toughening.
  • Freezer Friendly Tip: Wrap individual salmon portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best quality and taste.
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Vibrant Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce Recipe

Vibrant Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce


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4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Zesty salmon finds harmony with creamy feta dill sauce, creating a Mediterranean-inspired culinary delight. Chefs can elevate weeknight dinners with this simple yet elegant recipe that promises robust flavors and easy preparation.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (3 to 4 oz/85 to 113 g each)
  • 4 oz (113 g) crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 ¼ cups (295 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) chopped fresh dill
  • Old Bay seasoning, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep Salmon: Drizzle salmon fillets with lemon juice and dust with Old Bay seasoning to amplify maritime flavors.
  2. Cook Fish: Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes or bake until salmon becomes translucent and flakes effortlessly with a fork.
  3. Create Sauce Base: Melt butter in a skillet over high heat, then introduce heavy cream and Dijon mustard, seasoning with additional Old Bay for depth.
  4. Develop Sauce Texture: Reduce temperature to medium-low, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes while stirring periodically.
  5. Integrate Cheese Elements: Fold crumbled feta into the simmering sauce, incorporating most of the fresh dill and maintaining a smooth, creamy consistency.
  6. Plate and Garnish: Transfer cooked salmon to serving plates, cascade the velvety feta dill sauce over the fillets, and sprinkle remaining fresh dill as a bright, aromatic finish.

Notes

  • Choose Fresh Salmon: Select high-quality, bright-colored salmon fillets with firm texture and minimal fishy odor for best taste and texture.
  • Optimize Seasoning Technique: Pat salmon dry before adding lemon juice and Old Bay to ensure seasonings adhere perfectly and create a crisp, flavorful crust.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Watch sauce carefully while simmering, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve smooth, creamy texture without separation.
  • Garnish with Purpose: Add fresh dill just before serving to maintain vibrant color and maximize aromatic flavor profile, preventing herb wilting or bitterness.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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