Flaky salmon is served with a creamy and savory lemon-dill sauce. This sophisticated meal comes together super fast and is sure to impress!
One of my favorite things to order when I’m out at a restaurant is salmon. It’s such a versatile fish that pairs well with so many different flavors. Mustard glazed, italian-style, thai-style, and simply broiled … just to name a few. Lemon and dill seems to be one of the most common flavor pairings that I see on restaurant menus. For good reason, of course – it’s delicious!
The best part of lemon dill salmon? It couldn’t be any easier to make at home! It only requires a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of your time. A sophisticated and impressive meal that is achievable on a weeknight!
It only takes 7 ingredients to make this elegant dish (not including the salt, pepper, and olive oil). First up is the salmon. I like to buy frozen wild caught filets that are vacuum sealed in individual pouches. You can certainly use fresh if you have access, but most fish counters display “fresh” salmon that was previously frozen. Wild salmon has a very short season, so the chances of getting fresh are slim.
Farm-raised salmon is readily available, so feel free to use that if you like. It’s cheaper than the wild caught, easier to find fresh, and just as good. I’ve used both with great results. So, use whichever you prefer!
All you have to do for this recipe is season up the salmon filets and cook it in a sauté pan for a few minutes per side. Once it flakes easily with a fork, it’s done!
While you’re salmon is cooking, you can whip up the sauce. I promise it’s really fast! First, let me tell you that I’ve spent years trying to make a really good lemon dill sauce. This is Kyle’s favorite way to eat salmon and I could never get it to come close the restaurant version he loved so much. It seems simple enough when you taste it – heavy cream, lemon and dill. Right? Wrong.
I tried cream based sauces, butter based, a full on béarnaise sauce… all fails. They were good, but something was always missing. I had just about given up when it hit me. Mascarpone cheese! It has a thicker consistency than butter and has a nice tang to it. I quickly got to work and it came out perfect! Kyle loved it (even though he claims he hates mascarpone cheese).
Now, I don’t know that this is actually how they make it in the restaurants.. I still suspect a béarnaise sauce to be the base, but that’s so finicky to make. This way gives you that same flavor, but so much easier and it’s foolproof. All you have to do is combine the mascarpone cheese with a little heavy cream, fresh dill, dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Once it’s warmed through you’r ready to go!
The creamy lemon dill sauce goes perfectly with the salmon without being overpowering. It’s really the perfect combination especially if you aren’t a big salmon fan. The sauce helps to mellow the rich flavor of the salmon that those of you new to salmon may not be fond of. So, all you salmon haters out there need to give this recipe a try!
I think this dish would be perfect to serve at a dinner party. If you are leery to cook it on the stove, you can easily use your broiler. You’ll just have to increase the cooking time to about 10 minutes. I served mine with a simple green bean side dish, which is coming up next week – stay tuned for that!
- 2 (6 oz.) Salmon Filets
- Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Light Olive Oil
- ¼ Cup Mascarpone Cheese
- 3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill, finely chopped
- 1 Lemon, juiced
- Season the salmon filets with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick medium sauté pan.
- Cook the salmon 3-4 minutes per side or until opaque throughout (it will flake easily with a fork).
- While the salmon is cooking, combine the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, mustard and fresh dill. Heat it over low heat until the mascarpone has melted and the sauce is hot. Don’t boil! Stir in the lemon juice and remove the sauce from the heat.
- Serve the salmon with the lemon-dill sauce.
I need to start buying frozen salmon because I totally buy the “fresh” that is definitely previously frozen, too. LOL And I know better. Anyway, I love salmon! Will have to try it with this dreamy dill sauce. Pinned! 🙂
Andrea @ Chocolate & Sea Salt recently posted…30 Minute {One Pot} Lemon Chicken & Asparagus Couscous
Haha Andrea! I did the same thing for so long until I realized what I was buying. Now, I can get a 3lb. bag of salmon at Costco for a great price and keep my freezer stocked! Thanks for the pin 🙂 You definitely have to try this – it’s so tasty!
So smart to use Marscapone cheese! I probably would have tried a bernaise sauce too, but marscapone is even easier! I just love salmon, cooked any way. I’ve actually never had it with a lemon dill cream sauce before, but I can imagine how great this tastes. Pretty pictures Keri!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Coconut Chicken Thai Curry
Yes, I’m convinced it’s a béarnaise sauce that my favorite restaurant uses, but I just couldn’t get the flavor right.The mascarpone is way easier anyway, so I’m glad I thought to use it! I’m a huge salmon lover and can eat it pretty much any old way, but this one is extra special! Thanks, Natalie! 🙂
This salmon looks absolutely perfect! My husband and I love this fish and I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. I’m definitely going to try this kind out!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Thanks, Gayle! It’s one of my favorite ways to eat salmon. You’ll love it! 🙂
I never would have thought to use Marscapon cheese! So yummy! Pinned!
I love mascarpone cheese – it’s so versatile and really makes this sauce extra good! Thanks for the pin, Mariah!
I LOVE lemon and dill on fish! It is the perfect complement to this meal. Not to mention all the healthy benefits! There really isn’t anything bad for you in it!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat recently posted…Chicken Florentine
It really is a perfect combination! I always feel so healthy when I eat salmon 😉
This salmon is right up my alley. Love the creamy dill against the fish. It’s perfection in my eyes.
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic recently posted…Warm Apple, Goat Cheese & Prosciutto Crostini
Thanks Kathy! 🙂
Wow this looks wonderful! Love the addition of the mascarpone cheese! Salmon is one of my favorites to prepare so I will definitely be making this one soon!
Kelley Simmons recently posted…Blood Orange Mojito
Thanks, Kelley! The mascarpone cheese works so well. You’ll love this 🙂
So easy and so healthy! Love it!! This creamy lemon dill sauce looks incredible 🙂 PINNED!
Melissa @ Bits of Umami recently posted…Thai-ish Beef Stroganoff
Everyone is always so impressed when I make this, but it’s super easy! Thanks for the pin Melissa! 🙂
This looks delicious and sounds so easy! Anything that involves mascarpone is a winner in my book 🙂
Maya @ Treats and Eats recently posted…Top Winter Cocktails
Thanks Maya! I love mascarpone cheese – it’s so versatile!