This baked salmon with pesto recipe is a delicious and easy way to prepare salmon making it great for those busy weeknights or weekend bbq's. The nuttiness of the pesto paired with a freshly baked salmon filet is irresistible. Serve on a bed of rice or farro or with potatoes for complete meal. Need dinner in under 30 minutes, this is it!
Salmon can be prepared in so many different ways. Grilled, steamed salmon with herbs, smoked salmon, fried, or baked. It's a versatile protein that can easily be changed up to your liking.
Salmon can be served on special occasions or thrown together for a quick, easy weeknight meal.
The best part is, salmon really doesn't need much to make it taste great. Just simple fresh ingredients paired with a good salmon filets will give you the perfect flavor.
This baked pesto salmon recipe is one of my favorite ways to make salmon because I can also use my fresh homemade pesto made almonds and basil straight from the garden.
You can also check out my other easy salmon recipe that uses a garlic herb butter spread.
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🐟Ingredients
Pesto: Pesto is a very delicate sauce made with tons of fresh basil. Fresh basil should never be exposed to high temps or cooked for long periods. Therefore should always be added at the very end of a dish or used as a garnish.
Heating up basil will make it lose a lot of its flavor. For this reason, it's best to add the pesto once the salmon is fully cooked. Waiting until the end will give you the best possible flavors from your pesto.
Salmon: Use at least a 1-pound salmon filet. Thinner salmon is going to cook a lot faster than a thicker filet.
Asparagus: Green beans are a great substitute for asparagus.
See full information on ingredients and quantities in the recipe card.
🔪Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: In the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish lay out the asparagus in a single layer. Lightly drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. (Image 1).
Step 3: Place the salmon filet on top of the asparagus and spread the olive oil on top. (Image 2).
Step 4: Squeeze the lemon juice all over the salmon and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. (Image 3).
Step 5: Add in the halved cherry tomatoes and place in the oven to bake. For thinner filets it will take 12-15 minutes and for thicker pieces it will be closer to 20-25 minutes. (Image 4).
💡Pro Tip: Do not add the pesto until after the salmon is cooked. A lot of recipes will say to bake it with the pesto but you will get the most flavor by adding it at the end. When basil cooks it breaks down losing a lot of its flavor.
Step 6: It's fully cooked when it reaches an internal temp of 145 degrees in the thickest part and easily falls apart with a fork is pressed into it. (Images 5 & 6). Salmon can dry out fast so it's best to check it with an instant-read thermometer to get the most accurate reading.
Step 7: When done, remove from the oven and spread a thick layer of pesto over the filet. Serve warm.
Consider serving with some rice, farro, or potatoes.
🌡How to Tell When Salmon is Cooked
There are two ways to tell if salmon is fully cooked:
- Salmon is fully cooked when the internal temp is at 145 degrees. It can easily dry out so make sure to pull it just as it reaches 145 degrees or pull it out around 140 degrees and allow it to continue to cook on the pan for a few more minutes.
- You can also tell when salmon fillets are done when they are an opaque pink color and flaky when a fork is pressed into it. If it is still a deep red or pink color, it isn't quite done.
❓Recipe FAQs
400 degrees is the ideal temp to bake salmon. 450 will cook it way to fast and possibly dry it out.
Do not cover the salmon with baking. Just brush with either olive oil or butter and squeeze lemon juice. This will help retain moisture and keep it from drying out.
Salmon does not need a lot of seasoning. Just some simple salt, pepper, lemon and fresh herbs is really all it needs.
🦀Other Seafood Recipes
📋Recipe
Baked Salmon with Pesto
Equipment
- 9"x13" Baking Dish or Pan
Ingredients
Asparagus
- 1 Pound Fresh Asparagus - Washed and ends trimmed
- ½ Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- Pinch Black Pepper
Salmon
- 1 Pound Salmon Fillet
- 1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil - Depending on how big the filet is
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice - About half a lemon
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ Cup Pesto Sauce - Store Bought or Homemade
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Asparagus
- In the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish lay out the asparagus in a single layer. Lightly drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Salmon
- Place the salmon filet on top of the asparagus and spread the olive oil on top.
- Squeeze the lemon juice all over the salmon and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Add in the halved cherry tomatoes and place in the oven to bake. For thinner filets it will take 12-15 minutes and for thicker pieces it will be closer to 20-25 minutes. Do not add the pesto until after baking. See notes.
- It's fully cooked when it reaches an internal temp of 145 degrees in the thickest part and easily falls apart with a fork is pressed into it. Salmon can dry out fast so its best to check it with an instant read thermometer to get the most accurate reading. See notes.
- When done, remove form the oven and spread a thick layer of pesto over the filet and serve warm.
Notes
- Salmon is fully cooked when the internal temp is at 145 degrees. It can easily dry out so make sure to pull it just as it reaches 145 degrees or pull it out around 140 degrees and allow it to continue to cook on the pan for a few more minutes.
- You can also tell when salmon fillets are done when they are an opaque pink color and flaky when a fork is pressed into it. If it is still a deep red or pink color, it isn't quite done.
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