Bright sweet flavor with hint of sourness, dill is spring to autumn friendly herb that is always used fresh as a garnishing, and never cooked with. The delicate leaves of dill have a grassy flavor and is somewhat sweet, and the dill seeds are very aromatic with a citrus flavor that is similar to caraway seeds.
It is a spice and herb at the same time that is often used to elevate flavor in different dishes. It usually goes well in sauce, soups, and salad when paired with the proper ingredients.
What to eat with dill? Dill pairs beautifully with other vegetables such as beets, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, in salads or salad dressing.
Additionally, dill goes well with complementary herbs including cilantro and parsley.
Most important garnishing herb that goes well with salmon dishes whether it is cured or smoked. To serve with fish, dill can be chopped and blended into yogurt-based sauces or tomatoes as a dipping sauce.
From Mediterranean to Middle Eastern, Turkish and Russian cuisine, dill is widely used to top and decorate a dish to bring soft sourness and light sweet flavor. Dill has a subtle fragrance and is quite versatile, hence can be paired with numerous foods making it a great addition to any meal.
This article goes into detail about what to eat with dill, the flavors to pair with it and the proteins that blend perfectly with dill. Answered below are frequently asked questions that address the perfect food pairings to eat with dill.
What tastes good with dill?
Dill is excellent in cold soups featuring cucumbers and beets, or tzatziki, a yogurt based sauce, and traditional Greek cucumber yogurt salad. This delicate herb tastes specifically excellently with seafood, and is perfect with sour cream, grains, lemon, cream cheese, lamb, and spreads.
Other dishes to consider pairing with dill include:
- potato salad
- salad and salad dressing
- rice pilaf
- egg dishes, especially with omelets
- pickles
- potato soups
- sour cream based sauces
- tomato juices
- yogurt based sauces
- smoked fish
- wine: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, German Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Typically potato and salmon dishes are highly recommended to pair with dill because they taste exquisitely wonderfully. The mild potato and rich flavored salmon become enhanced from a refreshing herb like dill without overpowering the taste.
What protein goes well with dill?
Other than fish, there are other proteins that go well with dill. From animal based protein to dairy based, there are numerous options to consider pairing with dill because of its fragrance and refreshing taste.
- Meat: beef, lamb, veal
- Poultry: eggs, chicken
- Seafood: scallops, shellfish, crayfish, shrimp
- Cheese: cheddar, cottage, goat, feta, soft cheese
- Dairy: cream cheese, sour cream, yogurt
- Bread: rye, pumpernickel
- Grains: chickpeas, barley, quinoa, farro
- Beans: fava or green beans
What fish goes well with dill?
There are many fish and shellfish options that go well with dill. The most popular item is salmon, from dipping sauce to chopped dill sprinkled over the top, this is one herb you can go wrong with.
- salmon, especially cured or smoked
- shellfish
- halibut
- trout
- haddock
- sea bass
- cod
- tilapia
- mahi mahi
What other herb goes well with dill?
Dill is mild and soft herb that pairs well with other herbs in a dish because it helps to balance and bring out the best taste in every bite. Whether it is a side dish or garnish on a main entrée, consider blending these classic herbs with dill:
What seasoning goes well with dill?
The seasoning creates a sweet, salty, spicy, and savory flavor in everything from pickles to popcorn, or when seasoning fish or meat. When it is paired well, it can elevate the dish to the next level without much effort.
Here are other classic seasoning combinations that go well with dill:
- dill + parsley + salt + dried onion
- dill + lemon pepper + garlic powder + onion flakes
- dill + fennel seeds + mustard powder
- dill + mustard + chives + parsley
What spice goes well with dill?
Using dill as spices to sprinkle on dishes like salmon, eggs, roasted zucchini or even in the soups can enhance the flavor even more.
Spices that go well will dill are:
- coriander
- mustard seed
- ginger
- cinnamon
- cumin
- paprika
- turmeric
What flavors go with dill?
The feathery green leaves have a fragrant aroma with sweet and sour taste that is between anise, parsley, and celery. Generally, dill seeds are far more pungent which is why they are widely used as key ingredient in pickles.
Dill pairs well with earthly, sweet and savory flavors such as lemon, garlic, mint, parsley, basil, horseradish, mustard, or paprika.
Here are classic flavor combination that uses dill as primary ingredient:
- dill + cilantro + mint
- dill + cucumber + salmon
- dill + capers + potatoes + white wine vinegar
- dill + basmati rice + olive oil
- dill + salmon + lemon + garlic
- dill + greek yogurt + cucumber + lemon + garlic

Eat With Dill: Conclusion
Dill can be used in garnishing roasted vegetables or soups. It can be sprinkled on top of salads, on baked or roasted potatoes, sour cream or yogurt-based dips and sauces.
Furthermore, dill is lovely to add flavor to lamb, egg and fish dishes, used in sauces, and salad dressings.
The mild flavor of dried dill makes it easy to blend well with other herbs such as cilantro and parsley without being overpowered in any direction.
Fresh minced dill can be added to a salad or dressing, or garnished in a salad with the tiny sprigs or fronds.
Typically, this herbs is excellent to pair with cured or smoked salmon. When pickling vegetables or cucumbers, dill is a key ingredient that cannot be overlooked.
Including Mediterranean to Russian, Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine, it is a worldly herb that you should add to herb garden. Use it as a fresh garnish on a plate just before serving, or fine chop into a creamy yogurt based sauce for an extra accent.