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Dill-icious Spring Flavor

April 19, 2024

Food

This herb is downright ‘dill-ightful!’

As spring rolls around, and flavors begin to liven up with freshness, there’s one herb that has been stealing the trend spotlight.

It’s dill. From salads to soups and everything in between, dill is the herb you’re going to want to have on hand. It pairs well with a wide range of dishes, from seafood to salads to soups. Plus, its fresh, slightly tangy flavor adds a unique twist to any recipe.

Incorporating dill into your favorite recipes is a breeze, thanks to its versatility and compatibility with a wide range of flavors. Simply sprinkle chopped dill over roasted vegetables, mix it into creamy dressings or sauces, or add a handful to your favorite pasta or grain dishes for an instant burst of freshness.

But if you want to be more intentional with the flavor of dill — think of the crispy bright flavor of dill pickles, front and center — we have some recipes you’re going to want to try!

Bacon Dill-Pickle Pizza

This unique pizza is covered in a tasty white ranch sauce, and topped with mozzarella cheese, delicious crispy diced Black Label® bacon and dill pickles. Garnish with sprigs of dill for the perfect finish.

Bacon Dill Pickle Pizza

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2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound pizza dough, at room temperature
¼ cup ranch dressing
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup pickle slices
½ (16-ounce) package HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Original Thick Cut Bacon, chopped and crisply cooked
Red pepper flakes
Fresh dill, for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat pizza stone in oven to 500°F.

  2. In small bowl, combine olive oil and garlic.

  3. Stretch or roll dough to a 14-inch circle on parchment paper. Brush top of dough with olive oil mixture. Spread ranch dressing over top of dough.

  4. Top with cheeses, pickles, bacon, and red pepper flakes.

  5. Transfer the pizza to stone in oven. Bake 10 to 14 minutes, or until crust is crisp and golden and cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.

  6. Allow to cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with fresh dill just before serving.

Dill-pickle Chicken Pasta Salad

Looking to jazz up chicken salad? The crispy cool crunch of dill pickles and fresh dill add the perfect seasonal flavor to freshen up a ho-hum chicken salad. This recipe utilizes Valley Fresh® 100% natural* chicken breast (*Minimally processed. No artificial ingredients.), sharp white cheddar cheese and rotini noodles for a cool and tangy salad that’s perfect for spring and summer.

Dill Pickle Chicken Pasta Salad

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1 cup mayonnaise
cup sour cream
cup pickle juice
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (16-ounce) package rotini pasta, cooked and drained
8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, cubed
2 cups diced dill pickles
½ cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 (10-ounce) cans VALLEY FRESH® 100% Natural* Chicken Breast, drained (*minimally processed. No artificial ingredients.)
Bibb lettuce leaves, for serving if desired
Additional diced dill pickles and fresh dill for garnish, if desired

Directions

  1. In large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Add pasta, cheese, pickles, green onions and dill. Stir to combine. Stir in chicken.

  2. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with lettuce leaves if desired. Garnish with additional pickles and dill if desired.

Dill-and-Feta Turkey Burger with Dill Cabbage Salad

Dill, feta and cool, creamy tzatziki sauce are a dreamy combination on this juicy Jennie-O® ground turkey burger. Garnish it with dill cabbage salad for the perfect amount of crunch.

Dill Feta Turkey Burgers with Dill Cabbage Salad

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Dill Cabbage Salad
½ head green cabbage, shredded
½ cup chopped green onions
cup chopped fresh dill
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Dressing
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Burgers
1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O® Ground Turkey
2 tablespoons crushed crackers
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ salt
¼ pepper
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
Sliced tomatoes, tzatziki sauce and additional fresh dill for serving

Directions

For the Dill Cabbage Salad

  1. In bowl, combine cabbage, green onions, dill, feta cheese and parsley.

For the Dressing

  1. In small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Pour over cabbage mixture. Toss to coat.

For the Burgers

  1. In large bowl, combine turkey, crushed crackers, dill, egg, shallot, garlic, salt and pepper. Gently mix in cheese. Form into 4 patties.

  2. Heat grill to medium-high heat.

  3. Grill turkey burgers approximately 14 to 16 minutes. Always cook to well-done, 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer.

  4. Serve burgers on buns with Dill Cabbage Salad, sliced tomatoes, tzatziki sauce and fresh dill as desired.

Dill, Ham and Potato Soup

The more subtle flavor of dill in this recipe is a great complement to the smokiness of Hormel® Cure 81® smoked ham. Cubed dill pickles bring an additional texture and burst of dill to each bite.

Ham and Dill Pickle Soup

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1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups diced HORMEL® CURE 81® Classic Smoked Boneless Ham
2 cups diced red potatoes
1 cup chopped dill pickles
1 cup pickle juice
1 handful fresh dill, chopped
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish: chopped pickles and fresh dill

Directions

  1. In large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion and carrot. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until softened. Add garlic. Cook 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Stir in Worcestershire sauce.

  2. Add broth, ham, potatoes, pickles, pickle juice and dill. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

  3. In bowl, whisk together sour cream and flour. Whisk mixture into soup. Cook, stirring, 4 to 5 minutes or until soup is thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish individual bowls with chopped pickles and fresh dill as desired.

Thinking About Growing Your Own Dill?

Once you’ve been hooked on the fresh taste of dill, you’re going to want it at your fingertips! So, why not grow your own? Here are a few reasons dill has become a popular addition to gardens.

Seed and herb: Both the leaves (known as dill weed) and the seeds of the dill plant are used in the kitchen. Dill weed is prized for its delicate flavor and is often used fresh or dried, while dill seeds have a stronger flavor and are commonly used in pickling and seasoning.

Pickling power: Dill is perhaps best known for its role in pickling. Dill pickles are a beloved culinary staple, and dill’s distinct flavor is what gives them their signature taste.

Easy to grow: Dill is relatively easy to grow, making it a popular choice for backyard gardens. It thrives in well-drained soil and with plenty of sunlight, making it an ideal addition to herb gardens or kitchen windowsills.

Pollinator magnet: Dill is also appreciated in the garden for its ability to attract beneficial insects, such as butterflies and bees. Its tiny umbrella-shaped flowers provide nectar for pollinators, making it a welcome addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.