Half-Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream
A Nordic-inspired dish where salmon is smoked for half the time, creating a tender texture paired with a creamy dill sauce. This nordic-inspired quick meals ready in about 40 minutes pairs wild salmon fillet, dill, plain Greek yogurt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs wild salmon fillet
- 1/2 cup dill
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 cup fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon fillet on the sheet and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes until opaque but still slightly firm.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup chopped dill, and 1/2 lemon (juiced). Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Serve the salmon with a dollop of dill cream, garnished with additional fresh dill and a lemon wedge.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep wild salmon fillet from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream?
Nordic quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
