If you are looking for a simple, flavor-packed dinner, this Salmon With Pesto Sauce delivers every time. Tender, flaky salmon is topped with vibrant, herby pesto and is baked in about 30 minutes, making it just as perfect for a weeknight as it is for entertaining. I like to use my homemade Basil Pesto here for the freshest flavor, but this recipe is flexible enough to work with what you have on hand.
Salmon With Pesto Sauce At A Glance
- ⏱️ Total Time: 25-30 minutes (10 min prep + 15-20 min cook)
- 🍽️ Servings: 4
- 🌍 Cuisine Type: Mediterranean-Inspired / Italian
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Rich, flaky salmon paired with bright, herby pesto, fresh garlic, and a hint of lemon
- 🥗 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free, low carb, high protein; can be made dairy-free depending on pesto used
- 📦 Storage Notes: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days; best enjoyed fresh, but can be gently reheated
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: A quick, elegant dinner that feels special without the effort-simple ingredients, bold flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes
Save And Summarize This Recipe
This Salmon With Pesto Sauce fits right into the kind of Mediterranean cooking I come back to again and again. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and very little fuss. The pesto does all the heavy lifting here, whether you use a rich walnut pesto, a slightly sweeter pistachio pesto, or even a bright fresh mint pesto for something a little different. Each variation brings its own personality to the dish, but all of them pair beautifully with the richness of the salmon.
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If you are building this into a full meal, there are plenty of easy ways to round it out. A fresh Chickpea Cucumber Salad or a peppery Arugula salad with feta, adds balance, while something like Mediterranean Rice or a Quinoa Salad With Lemon makes it more substantial.
Key Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this salmon recipe with pesto:
- 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 love using it in my Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad!
See the recipe card for quantities.
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How To Make Salmon With Pesto Sauce: 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.
Salmon With Pesto Sauce FAQ's
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.
More Salmon Recipes
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Thank you!
Gwen
Salmon With Pesto Sauce (Easy Mediterranean Dinner)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds salmon whole fillet or individual portsion
- 4 tablespoons pesto or use Homemade Basil Pesto
- 4 teaspoons 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 pounds salmon, 4 teaspoons 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 tablespoons pesto
Gwen Wolken says
Delicious!