This baked pesto salmon recipe is a delicious way to prepare salmon and is great for those busy weeknights or weekend bbq's. It comes together quickly and uses tons of fresh foods. Serve on a bed of rice or farro, along with some green beans, asparagus, or other veggies of your choice for a complete and healthy salmon dinner.
Salmon can be prepared in so many different ways. Grilled, steamed, smoked, 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.
Salmon is full of healthy fats, it's low carb, a great source of protein, and has rich flavors. Just simple fresh ingredients paired with good salmon filets will give you a healthy meal. Healthy and quick! Yes, please.
Salmon paired with the freshness of basil is an irresistible combination.
This baked pesto salmon recipe is one of my favorite ways to make salmon because I can also use my fresh homemade pesto made with basil straight from the garden. Pesto is so easy to make at home and my almond pesto recipe is a much cheaper alternative.
Pine nuts are traditionally used but can be very expensive. Almonds make a great substitute. Pesto is full of fresh basil, olive oil, nuts, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice which all pair nicely with salmon.
Read all about how to make and store your very own pesto. You can also check out my other easy salmon recipe that uses a garlic herb butter spread which is another healthy salmon recipe for you to try.
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Ingredients
How to cook with 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 of time. Therefore should always be added at the very end of a dish or used as a garnish.
Heating up basil will actually make it lose a lot of its flavors. 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.
Ingredients needed to make this basil pesto salmon:
- Salmon Fillet (one pound)
- Butter (or Olive Oil)
- Pesto Sauce (homemade basil pesto or store-bought)
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Lemon
- Optional: green beans, asparagus or cherry tomatoes.
Full measurements in the recipe card.
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees faherenhight.
Place salmon fillet in an oven-safe 9"x13" baking dish or sheet. Consider adding some green beans, asparagus or cherry tomatoes to the dish.
Spread melted butter over the filet. The butter will help trap moisture and keep it from drying out. Spread over the veggies as well.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the filet. Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until I reaches an internal temp of 145.
When done, remove the salmon from the oven and spread fresh pesto on top of the salmon using the back of a spoon.
How long to bake salmon at 400 degrees Fahrenheit?
With an oven temp of 400 degrees it will take the salmon about 12-15 minutes uncovered. Depending on the thickness it can even take up to 20 minutes.
It's fully cooked when it reaches an internal temp of 145 degrees in the thickest part.
Salmon can dry out fast so its best to check it with an instant read thermometer to get the most accurate reading.
What to serve with baked pesto salmon?
Serve onto a bed of rice or farro.
Different veggies such as green beans or asparagus can easily be added to the baking pan with salmon. Just toss in butter or oil with salt and pepper and cook alongside the fish. Top the final dish with some fresh cherry tomatoes.
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.
Substitutions
Olive oil - Butter can easily be substituted for a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
Variations
Fresh herbs, garlic and butter - If pesto isn't your thing check out my garlic herb butter salmon recipe. It's also full of great fresh flavors and perfectly cooked salmon.
Lemon Dill Sauce: If pesto isn't your thing, consider making this tangy and fresh lemon dill sauce.
Equipment
Oven safe baking pan or sheet is all that is needed.
Storage
This salmon pesto dish will keep for a day or two. Just store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator.
It can be eaten cold or warmed back up in the oven or microwave. Since it is being reheated it may dry out a bit.
It can also be kept in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator and consume within a few days.
Other Salmon and Seafood Recipes:
Recipe
Baked Pesto Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Salmon Fillet
- 2 Tablespoons Butter Melted
- ½ Cup Pesto Sauce Store Bought or Homemade
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice About half a lemon
Optional
- 1 pound Green Beans or Asparagus
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 9x13 baking pan or dish, place salmon skin side down. Consider adding some green beans, asparagus or cherry tomatoes to the dish.
- Spread melted butter over the fish. If adding veggies, toss those with the butter as well.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon and veggies.
- Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until It reaches an internal temp of 145.
- When done, remove from the oven and spread fresh pesto on top of the salmon.
- Serve on top of flavored rice or farro with some cherry tomatoes or other veggies of your choice.
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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