Pesto Salmon is a healthy and flavorful recipe with rich, herby pesto sauce served over buttery salmon filets. Ready in just 15 minutes!
This is an excellent recipe for a family Weeknight Meal or a special occasion like a date night or dinner party. For more easy and delicious salmon recipes, try my Garlic Butter Salmon and Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon.
Sabrina’s Pesto Salmon Recipe
It’s rare to find a dinner recipe that manages to be delicious, healthy, and easy, but my Pesto Salmon recipe truly has it all. Pesto and salmon are an excellent flavor match. The herby and nutty pesto sauce brightens the buttery and lightly sweet seafood for a delicious burst of flavor in every bite. It’s a nutrient and protein-rich meal that’s sure to be a favorite with the whole family! If you like Pesto Pasta, then you’ll love this Italian-inspired seafood meal.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 4 salmon filets , about 6 ounces each
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese , shaved
Instructions
- Season the salmon filets with the salt and black pepper.
- Using a grill pan heat to medium high.
- Add 2 tablespoons butter on medium high heat and cook for 4 minutes on each side.
- Remove the salmon, add in the remaining butter, garlic and pesto.
- Bring to a simmer, turn off heat and spoon over the salmon.
- Garnish with shaved parmesan.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
Sabrina’s Tips
I keep these quick tips in mind whenever I’m making salmon on the stovetop. When I’m buying fresh fish, I look for bright, vibrant filets without any gray or yellow discoloration. I leave the skin on during cooking because it protects the delicate flesh from drying out. Also, before seasoning, I always pat the salmon dry with paper towels, removing that surface moisture keeps it from steaming and turning mushy.
Table of contents
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can absolutely prepare this recipe a few days in advance. For best results, keep the pesto sauce and the cooked salmon fillets in separate containers. For an easy meal-prepped dish, you can divide the salmon fillets into separate airtight containers with the pesto in a condiment container for premade servings. Reheat the salmon in the microwave or on the stovetop, and add the sauce to the top right before serving.
How to Store
- Store: If you have leftover Pesto Salmon, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. To keep the seafood recipe fresh, transfer it to an airtight container to store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: To keep the leftover salmon from drying out, it’s important not to heat it too fast. You can add it to a pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat or put it on a rimmed baking sheet tented in foil and put it in a 275-degree oven for about 15 minutes.
- Freeze: You can also freeze the salmon recipe. Wait for the dish to cool to room temperature, then put it in a freezer bag or another freezer-safe container. Cooked salmon maintains the best texture and flavor for 3 months in the freezer. If you can separate the salmon and pesto sauce, I recommend freezing them in separate containers. Let the salmon thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving.
Variations
- Nut-free pesto: To make the pesto sauce without pine nuts, you can swap them out for drained white beans. This is a good option if anyone you’re serving has a nut allergy.
- Lemon pesto sauce: You can add acidic flavor to homemade pesto sauce by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. The lemon pairs well with the pesto and enhances the natural flavor of the salmon pieces.
- Vegetables: Bring more bright flavor and texture into the pesto sauce mixture by cooking cherry tomatoes, red onions, or spinach. Chop the vegetables and cook them with the garlic to blend with the pesto sauce.
Related Recipes
More Delicious Salmon Recipes
