Friends, let me introduce you to the sauce that will make you feel like a fancy restaurant chef while requiring approximately zero actual culinary skills! This dreamy, creamy Dill & Caper Cream Sauce has saved countless weeknight dinners at my house.

The combination of fresh dill and briny capers creates this incredible flavor profile that’s simultaneously sophisticated and comforting. It’s got roots in Scandinavian cuisine, where dill is practically a food group, but I’ve added a few twists to make it even more versatile. My daughter calls this my “fancy fish sauce” and actually cheers when she sees salmon on the dinner table because she knows this sauce is coming along for the ride. Getting a 7-year-old excited about fish? That’s basically a parenting Olympic medal right there!

What makes this sauce special is its incredible versatility – it comes together in about 5 minutes, requires minimal ingredients that you might already have on hand, and transforms even the most basic proteins into something that feels restaurant-worthy. The tanginess of the capers and lemon cuts through the richness of the cream, creating this perfect balance that makes your taste buds do a happy little dance. And the aroma? Heaven in dairy form! 

Dill & Caper Cream Sauce

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This bright, tangy Dill & Caper Cream Sauce brings Scandinavian-inspired elegance to your table with a perfect balance of fresh dill, briny capers, and velvety cream that is delicious on seafood.

• Author: Amanda MacArthur
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1½ Cups 1x
• Category: Sides & Sauces

Ingredients

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• 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half for a lighter version)
• ¼ cup sour cream or crème fraîche
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained and roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat
2. Add shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes
3. Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer
4. Reduce heat to low and stir in sour cream, capers, dill, lemon juice, zest, and mustard
5. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened
6. Season with white pepper and salt to taste

Notes

• Makes about 1½ cups

This luxurious sauce is absolute magic with seafood! It’s particularly wonderful with salmon – either spooned over grilled fillets or served alongside for dipping. The tangy, herbaceous flavors complement the rich fish perfectly. It’s also fantastic with other seafood like shrimp, scallops, or white fish such as cod or halibut. For a simple yet impressive dinner party main, roast a side of salmon, then serve with this sauce drizzled over the top and extra dill and lemon wedges for garnish.

Don’t stop at seafood, though! This sauce is also delicious with chicken, particularly poached or roasted chicken breast that can sometimes be on the drier side. It’s even wonderful with vegetables – try it drizzled over steamed new potatoes or roasted asparagus for a side dish that might just upstage your main course. The Dill & Caper Cream Sauce keeps in the refrigerator for about 3 days – just gently reheat before serving, being careful not to let it boil. If the sauce separates when reheating, whisk in a splash of cream to bring it back together!

Has this Dill & Caper Cream Sauce elevated your seafood game? Or have you discovered it’s amazing on something completely unexpected? Share your creamy adventures in the comments – I’m always looking for new excuses to make this velvety deliciousness!