Succulent salmon upgrades into a culinary masterpiece when paired with a tangy feta dill sauce that elevates every bite.
Mediterranean flavors dance across your palate, creating a symphony of creamy and fresh elements.
The robust fish finds its perfect complement in this zesty sauce, bringing depth and complexity to a classic protein.
Delicate herbs weave through rich, crumbly cheese, offering a harmonious blend that awakens taste buds.
Bright and bold, this sauce turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.
Professional chefs know the secret lies in balancing delicate ingredients with confident seasoning.
Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
What Makes Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce a Hit
Savor Speedy Seafood Delight: Whip up this salmon dish in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick gourmet meals that don't compromise on flavor.
Elevate with Creamy Tangy Sauce: The rich feta and butter sauce with a hint of Dijon mustard creates a luxurious coating that transforms simple salmon into a restaurant-worthy experience, adding depth and excitement to every bite.
Master Foolproof Cooking Technique: The air fryer or oven method ensures perfectly cooked, flaky salmon every time, with Old Bay seasoning providing a zesty kick that complements the fish's natural richness.
Ingredients for Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce
Salmon and Seasoning:
Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught preferred for better flavor and nutrition.
Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that enhances fish's natural taste.
Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood blend with signature spicy and herbal notes.
Sauce Base:
Butter: Creamy foundation that adds rich depth to the sauce.
Heavy Cream: Provides smooth, luxurious texture and silky consistency.
Dijon Mustard: Tangy ingredient that adds subtle sharp undertone.
Cheese and Herb:
Feta Cheese, Fresh Dill: Creamy, salty cheese paired with bright, aromatic herb for Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
How to Prepare Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce Easily
Step 1: Prepare Salmon Fillets
Drizzle lemon juice over salmon
Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning generously
Pat salmon dry with paper towels
Step 2: Cook Salmon
Select cooking method:
Air Fryer Method:
Preheat air fryer to 400°F
Place salmon in air fryer basket
Cook for 8-10 minutes until fish flakes easily
Oven Method:
Preheat oven to 400°F
Place salmon on baking sheet
Bake for 8-10 minutes until fully cooked
Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce Base
Melt butter in skillet over high heat
Pour heavy cream into skillet
Add Dijon mustard
Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning
Allow mixture to bubble
Reduce heat to medium-low
Simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally
Step 4: Finish Feta Dill Sauce
Crumble feta cheese
Chop fresh dill
Add most of feta and dill to sauce
Cook for 2-3 minutes
Stir until sauce reaches desired thickness
Step 5: Plate and Garnish
Transfer salmon to serving plates
Pour sauce over salmon
Sprinkle remaining fresh dill on top
Serve immediately
Pro Tips for Perfect Feta Dill Salmon
Check Salmon Doneness: Use a fork to gently flake the salmon; it should easily separate and appear opaque throughout without any translucent sections.
Prevent Sauce Separation: Stir the cream sauce constantly and maintain a gentle simmer to ensure smooth, creamy texture without breaking or curdling.
Enhance Feta Flavor: Crumble the feta cheese just before adding to the sauce for maximum freshness and more vibrant taste profile.
Control Sauce Thickness: Adjust simmering time to achieve desired sauce consistency; longer cooking creates a thicker sauce, while shorter time keeps it lighter.
Maximize Herb Freshness: Add most of the dill during cooking and reserve some for bright, fresh garnish just before serving to preserve its delicate flavor and aroma.
Reheating and Storing Feta Dill Salmon Properly
Refrigeration: Store leftover salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Salmon stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheating Salmon: Gently warm salmon in the microwave at 50% power for 30-45 seconds to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in a 275°F oven wrapped in foil for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
Sauce Preservation: Reheat feta dill sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. Add a splash of cream if the sauce appears too thick.
Sides That Work with Feta Dill Salmon
Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio perfectly complement the tangy feta and delicate salmon, cutting through the rich, creamy sauce with bright, refreshing acidity.
Serve Alongside Herbed Quinoa: Light, fluffy quinoa seasoned with lemon and extra dill creates a harmonious side that echoes the sauce's herbal notes while providing a nutritious grain base.
Match with Roasted Asparagus: Tender asparagus spears roasted with olive oil and sea salt offer a subtle, earthy counterpoint to the salmon's richness and the sauce's creamy texture.
Complement with Chilled Cucumber Salad: A simple cucumber salad dressed with vinegar and dill provides a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, buttery salmon and helps balance the dish's overall flavor profile.
Flavor Variations for Salmon with Feta Dill Sauce
Mediterranean Herb Boost: Replace some dill with chopped oregano and parsley for a more robust Mediterranean flavor profile, adding extra complexity to the salmon sauce.
Spicy Cajun Kick: Swap Old Bay seasoning with Cajun spice blend, incorporating cayenne pepper for a zesty, bold heat that complements the creamy feta sauce.
Greek-Inspired Version: Mix crumbled feta with kalamata olives and lemon zest before adding to the sauce, creating a tangy and authentic Greek-style salmon experience.
Smoked Salmon Alternative: Use pre-cooked smoked salmon instead of fresh fillets, reducing cooking time and adding a rich, smoky dimension to the dish while maintaining the creamy feta sauce.
Mediterranean salmon sings with creamy feta and fresh dill, creating a perfect harmony of Mediterranean coastal flavors. Elegant yet simple, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results that invite home cooks to explore Greek-inspired culinary magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets (3 to 4 ounces/85 to 113 grams each)
4 ounces (113 grams) crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
Sauce Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups (295 milliliters) heavy cream
1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) chopped fresh dill
Seasoning:
Old Bay seasoning, to taste
Instructions
Drizzle salmon fillets with fresh lemon juice, creating a bright citrus base, then generously dust with aromatic Old Bay seasoning to enhance the fish’s natural flavors.
Select your preferred cooking method: air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes or bake in the oven at 400°F until the salmon becomes delicately flaky and thoroughly cooked through.
Heat a skillet over high temperature, allowing butter to melt and create a rich foundation for the sauce.
Pour heavy cream and Dijon mustard into the melted butter, sprinkling additional Old Bay seasoning to elevate the sauce’s complexity.
Reduce heat to medium-low once the mixture begins bubbling, allowing the sauce to simmer and gradually thicken for approximately 3 minutes while stirring intermittently.
Gently fold crumbled feta cheese into the simmering sauce, incorporating most of the fresh dill and reserving some for final garnishing.
Continue cooking the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring consistently until it reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
Plate the perfectly cooked salmon and generously drape the creamy feta dill sauce over the fillets.
Sprinkle the remaining fresh dill on top as a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch.
Notes
Achieve perfectly cooked salmon by using an air fryer or oven, ensuring the fish is flaky and tender at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
Create a luxurious sauce by combining butter, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard, which adds rich depth and complexity to the dish.
Elevate the flavor profile with Old Bay seasoning, providing a subtle, zesty kick to both the salmon and sauce.
Incorporate crumbled feta cheese into the sauce for a tangy, creamy texture that complements the delicate salmon.
Garnish with fresh dill to bring a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
Opt for quick cooking methods that preserve the salmon’s moisture and delicate texture, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Recipe Development and Testing, Culinary Education, Food Writing and Blogging, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.
Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability.
Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops.
His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.
Alex Reed
Founder & Lead Content Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Culinary Education, Food Writing and Blogging, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability.
Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops.
His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.