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Day 7 Lunch: Grilled Salmon + Fresh Cucumber & Dill Salad

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cook Time:

10 minutes

Serves:

1

Level:

Beginner

About the Recipe

A perfectly grilled salmon fillet served alongside a crisp, refreshing cucumber salad with aromatic dill. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor, this satisfying meal is ideal for a hassle-free lunch.

Ingredients

Grilled Salmon:

  • 6-8 oz salmon fillet (fresh or thawed, skin-on preferred for crispy texture)

  • 1 tablespoon butter or ghee (grass-fed preferred)

  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste


Cucumber & Dill Salad:

  • 1 cup fresh cucumber, thinly sliced(English cucumber for mild taste; Persian cucumber for sweetness and crunch; peeled garden cucumber for a clean, crisp bite.)

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or pinch of dried dill)

  • Sea salt, to taste

  • Fresh lemon wedge (optional)

Preparation

Grilled Salmon:

  1. Season & Grill: Pat salmon dry, then season generously with salt and pepper. Heat butter or ghee in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook salmon skin-side down first (if skin-on) for about 4-5 minutes. Flip gently and cook another 3-4 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.

    Quick-Cooking Tip: Use skin-on salmon—the skin protects fish from drying out and crisps deliciously.


  2. Rest Salmon: Allow salmon to rest briefly (1-2 minutes) before serving.


Cucumber & Dill Salad:

  1. Prepare Salad: Toss thinly sliced cucumber gently with olive oil, dill, and sea salt. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired.

    Quick-Cooking Tip: A mandoline slicer makes slicing cucumbers ultra-thin and incredibly fast.


Tips to Make it Even Easier:

  • Pre-Portioned Salmon: Keep individually vacuum-sealed salmon fillets in your freezer; they thaw quickly under cold water for instant cooking.

  • Pre-Sliced Cucumbers: Slice cucumbers ahead of time and store in a container with a damp paper towel to retain crispness.


Quick & Simple Flavor Boost Options (Optional):

  • Creamy Horseradish Dill Sauce: Stir sour cream with horseradish, lemon juice, and fresh dill; drizzle lightly over salmon and cucumber salad.

  • Avocado-Lime Puree: Blend avocado, fresh lime juice, and sea salt into a creamy puree; serve beneath grilled salmon for added richness.

  • Crispy Garlic Flakes: Fry thin garlic slices gently in butter until crisp; sprinkle over cucumber salad for savory crunch.

  • Ginger-Coconut Aminos Glaze: Whisk coconut aminos with freshly grated ginger and garlic powder, brushing lightly over salmon before grilling for a sweet-savory finish.

  • Lemon Caper Butter: Combine melted butter, lemon zest, and capers. Spoon generously over cooked salmon fillet.

  • Smoky Paprika Sprinkle: Dust salmon lightly with smoked paprika and garlic powder before grilling for extra depth and smoky warmth.


Recipes Created by BloodSugarChef.com

Meal Plan by American Diabetes Society

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