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Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Cucumber Salad





Yields
Makes 4 servings



Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins

Western salmon meets Scandinavia in this light, refreshing recipe. Prep and Cook Time: 40 minutes, plus at least 2 hours marinating time. Notes: The salad can be made up to 8 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Cucumber Salad




Photo: Emily Nathan; Styling: Karen Shinto
 2 or 3 lemons
 4 center-cut skin-on salmon fillets (6 to 8 oz. each), rinsed and patted dry
 2 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill, divided
 1 English (seedless) cucumber
 1/2 cup bottled cocktail onions, drained
 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
 1 teaspoon sugar
 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  About 2 teaspoons olive oil
Step 1
1

Zest lemons to yield 2 tbsp. zest. Sprinkle salmon fillets with 1 1/2 tbsp. zest (set remaining zest and whole lemons aside) and 1 1/2 tbsp. dill, dividing evenly among fillets and patting to adhere. Wrap fillets in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

Step 2
2

Slice cucumber paper-thin on a mandoline or other handheld slicer. Cut onions in half. In a bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Add cucumber, onions, remaining lemon zest and dill, and toss gently to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

Step 3
3

Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for indirect heat. If using a gas grill, turn all burners to high and close lid. When the temperature inside the grill reaches 400°, lift lid and turn off one of the burners, creating the indirect-heat area. If using a charcoal grill, light 50 to 60 briquets and let burn until just covered with ash, 20 to 30 minutes. Mound them to one side, leaving a cleared area for indirect cooking.

Step 4
4

Fold two 12- by 18-in. pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil in half widthwise to form rectangles. Using the tip of a small knife, make holes in rectangles about 2 in. apart and widen each hole to the size of a dime. Grease foil with olive oil; set over direct heat for 2 minutes.

Step 5
5

Brush salmon skins with oil. Set 2 fillets, skin side down, on each foil rectangle. Cover grill (if using charcoal, open vents on lid) and cook fish until skin is light brown and really sizzling, 5 to 6 minutes. Using tongs, slide foil to indirect heat, cover, and cook until all but top 1/4 in. is cooked, 3 to 8 minutes. Slide fish back over direct heat, cover, and cook until fish is cooked through (cut to test) and skin is browned and crisp, about 3 minutes.

Step 6
6

Transfer foil with salmon to a rimless baking sheet and, sliding an offset cake spatula or other thin spatula between salmon skin and foil, very gently free fish from foil. Season each fillet with salt and a few drops of juice from a remaining lemon. Serve with cucumber salad.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0

Amount Per Serving
Calories 375Calories from Fat 48
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 4.1g21%
Cholesterol 111mg37%
Sodium 980mg41%
Total Carbohydrate 6.7g3%

Dietary Fiber 1.6g7%
Protein 39g78%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.