Pesto Salmon Recipe

Quick and delicious pesto salmon recipe ready in just 5 minutes. Flaky salmon fillets topped with fresh basil pesto make the perfect healthy weeknight dinner.

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Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Resting: 2

Total Time: 22

Servings: servings

Calories: 420kcal

Cost: $15

Equipment

1 Large non-stick skillet Cast iron also works
1 Food processor High-speed blender as alternative
1 Fish Spatula For flipping fillets without breaking
1 Instant-read thermometer Ensures salmon reaches 145°F
1 Sharp Chef’s Knife For portioning and skin removal

Ingredients

4 fillets (6 oz each) Salmon fillets Skin removed
2 tablespoon Olive oil For brushing salmon
Salt & black pepper To taste
1 tablespoon Lemon juice Freshly squeezed

Pesto

2 cups Fresh basil leaves Packed
3 cloves Garlic Minced
⅓ cup Pine nuts Or walnuts
½ cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
½ cup Extra virgin olive oil For pesto
¼ teaspoon Salt For pesto
¼ teaspoon Black pepper For pesto

Optional Garnishes

Cherry tomatoes Optional garnish, halved
Fresh basil leaves Optional garnish
Lemon wedges Optional garnish
Extra Parmesan cheese Optional garnish

Instructions

Add basil, garlic, pine nuts to food processor. Pulse, then add Parmesan, seasoning, and drizzle olive oil until smooth.
Pat salmon dry, brush with oil, season with salt, pepper, and drizzle lemon juice. Rest 5 min.
Heat skillet on medium-high. Cook fillets 4–5 min per side until 145°F internal. Rest 2 min.
Spread pesto over salmon, garnish with tomatoes, basil, and lemon. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition