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Chilled Cucumber & Herb Poached Salmon with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

This dish is refreshing, clean, and springlike — yet hearty enough to be a true entrée.It’s keto-friendly, gluten-free, and beautifully balanced, offering a fresh, elegant presentation for any occasion.
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 2 salmon fillets ~6 oz each
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced half for poaching broth, half for garnish
  • 2 cups 2 water + 1 cup dry white wine or bone broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 sprigs 3–4 fresh dill
  • 3 sprigs 3–4 fresh parsley
  • 2 lemon slices
  • Salt and pepper

Lemon Yogurt Sauce

  • 1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt unsweetened
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped dill or mint
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish

  • Extra cucumber slices
  • Fresh herbs dill, parsley, or mint
  • Optional: edible flowers for an elegant touch

Instructions

  • Prepare the Poaching Broth: In a wide saucepan, combine water, wine (or broth), bay leaf, a few cucumber slices, dill, parsley, and lemon slices. Bring to a gentle simmer (not a full boil — keep it calm and beautiful).
  • Poach the Salmon: Season the salmon fillets lightly with salt and pepper. Lower the salmon into the simmering broth and poach gently for 8–10 minutes, until just cooked through and tender. Remove carefully and let rest slightly.
  • Make the Lemon Yogurt Sauce: Whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped herbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper until creamy and bright.
  • Assemble the Plate: Arrange thin cucumber slices as a bed or delicate curl around the plate. Place the poached salmon fillet on top. Drizzle generously with lemon yogurt sauce. Garnish with extra herbs, cucumber ribbons, and edible flowers if you want to go next-level.
  • Serve Chilled or Slightly Warm: Perfect for a sunny spring lunch or elegant light dinner.