Baked Salmon Pesto is a simple and flavor-packed recipe where tender salmon meets a herby pesto. It's fresh, fast, and perfect for weeknight meals when you want something healthy.
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I am always looking for fast, fresh meals during the week and pesto is one of those kitchen staples that makes cooking easier. Whether using my Homemade Basil Pesto, Pistachio Pesto, Walnut Pesto, or a store-bought variety, adding pesto to a protein makes an easy meal.
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Since pesto is made with olive oil, it helps keep the salmon juicy and tender while it bakes. I often add some veggies to the sheet pan so everything cooks together. It can be a simple, fast sheet pan dinner meal.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this pesto salmon recipe:
Ingredient Notes
- Salmon - Salmon is packed with protein, omega-3s, and essential vitamins, making it a smart choice for dinner. I always look for wild-caught salmon when I can as it is leaner, more flavorful, and higher in minerals. Choose fillets that are firm, bright in color, and smell fresh. I like using a whole fillet instead of individual portions, like in this Salmon With Citrus, but that is my personal preference.
- Pesto - At the end of every summer, I make a big batch of fresh pesto when basil is in season and freeze it to use all winter long. However, when I'm out of homemade pesto, Campo D'Oro pesto has been my go-to! Unlike many other brands, this pesto has bright flavors and a beautiful color. I also vary the pesto by using a Pistachio Pesto or Mint Pesto on this salmon.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Salmon Pesto: Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:
Step 1: Preheat the oven and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay the salmon, skin side down, on the sheet pan.
Step 2: Drizzle the salmon with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon starts to flake or the internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4: Remove the salmon and plate the salmon. Top the salmon with pesto and serve.
How To Know When Salmon Is Done
The easiest way to know if your salmon is fully cooked is to use a thermometer as it's quick, reliable, and takes out all the guesswork. The USDA says 145°F is fully cooked, but I usually pull mine around 135°F and let it rest. The temp keeps rising a bit, and the salmon stays tender and juicy.
You can also check by look and feel. The salmon should be opaque (no longer shiny or translucent) and flake easily with a fork.
What To Serve With This Pesto Salmon Recipe
If I am not creating a sheet pan meal with this salmon recipe than I will serve the salmon with a salad and another vegetable. I like serving this salmon with these Green Beans and a good Arugula Salad. I like simple easy suppers!
You can eat roasted salmon cold the next day. That is my favorite way to eat salmon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! You can either thaw the fillets in the refrigerator overnight, which is the best, or roast them from frozen. If you are roasting them from frozen, then you will need to increase the cooking time to get to the right internal temperature.
My favorite way to use up leftover salmon is put the salmon into a grain bowl. I also love making a salmon salad out of the leftovers or putting the salmon on top of a salad for lunch.
Sides To Pair With Salmon
Let me know your thoughts on Salmon Pesto by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
Baked Salmon Pesto in 20 Minutes
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs salmon whole fillet or individual portsion
- 4 tbs pesto or use Homemade Basil Pesto
- 4 tsps extra-virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay the salmon on the paper skin side down.1 ½ lbs salmon, 4 tsps extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
- Drizzle the salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste on the top of the salmon.
- Roast the salmon for 15-20 minutes until the salmon starts to flake or reaches the internal temperature of 145℉.
- Remove the salmon and plate on a platter. Top the salmon with the pesto and serve.4 tbs pesto
Gwen Wolken says
Delicious!