Buttery salmon with pesto – an effortless way to add a punch of flavor! Seriously flavorful and easy 30-minute dinner right here!!
4 TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE SALMON:
These days, every food item has so many labels, and it’s confusing. But here’re a few tips to consider when choosing salmon:
- Wild-caught: Always choose wild-caught salmon, as it’s more nutritious AND tastes better. I’ll admit, I used to buy farmed salmon all the time. (They’re pale orange and thick.) And after we had wild-caught salmon one night, we never looked back!! The difference in taste was absolutely astonishing!!!
- King/Coho/Sockeye/Pink Salmon: You can read more about different varieties of wild caught salmon here. For this recipe, I used wild-caught pink salmon.
- Fresh vs Frozen: Both fresh or frozen salmon is equally great. I usually buy frozen, as I don’t live near the ocean and fresh seafood is not easily accessible in this part of the world.
- Skinless Salmon: For this baked salmon recipe, I recommend getting skinless salmon, because the skin tends to get soggy during baking.
HOW TO bake pesto salmon:
This baked salmon recipe is ridiculously easy.
- Place skinless salmon filets on a oiled and salted sheet pan.
- Salt and slather on pesto on top.
- Bake and serve!
How do know if salmon is cooked?
Watch for following signs in cooked salmon. The salmon flesh
- turns opaque
- flakes easily
Ideally, you’d check the internal temperature with a thermometer (I love this handy thermapen, which is super quick and reliable!).
- According to USDA, the internal temperature of cooked salmon should reach 145°F.
PESTO: Homemade vs Store-Bought
Besides a good salmon, pesto plays significant role in this recipe, which is one of two main ingredients!
So as you can imagine, a good pesto is crucial for a tasty meal.
I love homemade pesto, and at end of every summer, I make a BIG batch basil pesto and freeze it to use through the winter.
BUT, when I’m out of homemade pesto, Giovanni Rana pesto has been my go-to! Unlike many other brands, this pesto has bright flavors and beautiful color! (This’s not sponsored, I just love it!)
WHAT TO SERVE WITH PESTO SALMON:
So you’re cooking this delicious pesto salmon. Now what do you serve with it? Literally anything!
Here’re a few ideas:
Baked Salmon with Pesto
Ingredients
- 4 4-6oz skinless salmon filets (Note 1)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons pesto Note 2
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Drizzle olive oil all over the prepared baking sheet and evenly sprinkle half of the salt over the oil.
- Arrange the salmon filets on oil and sprinkle the remaining salt over the fish.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on each filet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. Depending on the thickness of the fish, it’ll take more or less. I prefer to cook the filets until internal temp reaches around 135°F. (This thermometer is a life-saver!)
- Serve immediately with perfectly fluffy rice and blanched asparagus, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
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