Savor the rich flavors of this Pesto Butter Salmon recipe, as tender salmon fillets are baked to perfection, and smothered in a luscious fresh pesto-infused butter. In less than 30 minutes, this baked salmon dish is an excellent choice for weeknight dinners!
Note: This recipe was originally published in July 2021, but has been improved and re-photographed. We hope you enjoy the new look!
This pesto salmon recipe is sure to become a new family favorite! Who doesn't love an easy dinner with a ton of flavor?
Looking for more delicious pesto recipes? Be sure to try our homemade walnut pesto, pesto vinaigrette, this pesto cauliflower, or this creamy pesto pasta.
If really what you're craving is salmon, be sure to try out salmon bruschetta recipe, or this creamy salmon pasta!
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❤️Why we love this recipe
- Lots of flavor. The combination of nutty flavor from the pesto butter and the fresh salmon makes for a rich and delightful dish!
- Quick and easy. This dish comes together quite fast with a cooking time of about 8-10 minutes! It's perfect for busy weeknights.
- Simple ingredients. All of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, if you don't already have them on hand.
- Versatile. This dish goes great with a ton of sides, so it gives you a lot of different choices to make the perfect complete dinner!
🐟Ingredients
Here are the ingredients we used for this recipe. You can find more information for substitutions below.
- Salmon fillets - We used fresh Atlantic salmon, but you can use frozen if thawed beforehand. You can use individual fillets or whole salmon fillets.
- Lemons - For fresh lemon juice and zest.
- Red pepper flakes
- Softened unsalted butter - Softened butter will allow the pesto to become more of a spreadable paste versus a thin sauce.
- Pesto - Use a store-bought or homemade recipe. We like using our super easy walnut pesto, a 10-minute recipe that comes together in the food processor.
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Visit the recipe card for the full quantities and nutritional information.
✨Substitutions & variations
Here are a few suggestions on additional flavors to try, or simple variations to this recipe.
- Salmon - Swap for another type of salmon, like king salmon or sockeye salmon. If you have an allergy to salmon, swap for another fish like cod, halibut, or sea-bass. (Cooking time will need to be adjusted based on size and type of fish.)
- Pesto sauce - Swap the walnut pesto for any pesto variety. Whether it is a homemade basil pesto sauce or a store-bought sun-dried tomato pesto, any flavor you like will work.
- Less spice - For a more mild taste, omit the red pepper flakes. For a spicier taste, increase the red pepper flakes and add a touch of cayenne pepper.
- Fresh herbs - For a more herbaceous flavor, add fresh dill, parsley, chives, or cilantro to the pesto mixture.
🔪Prep work
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Prepare a parchment-lined baked sheet.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
📋Instructions
First, start with the pesto butter. In a small mixing bowl, combine pesto, softened butter, half of the lemon zest, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and kosher salt. Set aside. (Image 1)
Place salmon fillets on the baking sheet skin side down with space in between. Drizzle lemon juice, and half of the lemon zest on top of the fillets. (Image 2)
Season half of the black pepper, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes on both sides of the fish. (Image 3)
Mix together the pesto butter sauce. (Image 4)
Evenly spoon the pesto butter on top of the salmon. (Image 5)
Insert a meat thermometer into the largest piece of salmon. Bake until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 120°F, about 10-12 minutes. The temperature will increase after the fish is removed from the oven and this will prevent overcooked dry salmon. (Image 6)
✨Pro Tip: Use an oven safe meat thermometer (affiliate link) to monitor the salmon temperature and remove it at 120°F. Farm-raised salmon should be 125°F to be safe to eat, but the temperature will continue to increase after the fish is removed from the oven. Removing it early will prevent it from being overcooked!
Garnish the flaky salmon with fresh basil, and lemon slices and serve with your choice of sides. Drizzle with the remaining butter that melted off the salmon. Enjoy!
✨Tips & tricks
- Choose high-quality salmon - To ensure perfect flavor with this dish, buy fresh, sustainably sourced salmon with bright color and a firm texture.
- Use an instant-read thermometer - Salmon is best when juicy and not overcooked, but not all times are one size fits all, as there can be different thickness and sizes to the fish you are using. Use an oven safe thermometer to make sure the fish is at the perfect temperature.
- Let the salmon rest - This will allow the salmon to reabsorb its flavor and give you the best results for this recipe!
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💭Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is best enjoyed right away, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, you can warm it in the oven at 275°F degrees for 10-15 minutes until reheated. You can also microwave it, but we recommend using half power to avoid overcooking the fish.
Food safety is very important and you don't want to eat undercooked fish. When the salmon reaches at least 125°F and is opaque and easy to flake with a fork. If you see translucent or raw parts in the fish, add it to the oven for another 3-5 minutes, carefully watching the temperature so the fish doesn't become dry.
Side Dish Ideas
Not sure what to serve with this salmon? Here are a few suggestions!
- Air fryer zucchini
- Lemon garlic green beans
- Air fryer garlic bread
- Air fryer fingerling potatoes
- Redskin mashed potatoes
- Air fryer waffle fries
More Recipes To Consider
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📖 Recipe
Pesto Butter Salmon
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about the juice of half a lemon)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup pesto (use store bought or our recipe)
- Garnish with: fresh basil, lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat salmon dry. Drizzle lemon juice over top of the salmon. Season with salt, black pepper, lemon zest and red pepper flakes on both sides.
- In a separate container, combine olive oil, pesto, lemon zest and softened butter. Mix well. Transfer salmon to a prepared baking sheet. Place the buttery pesto sauce over salmon until completely covered.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until an instant read thermometer reaches 125°F. The salmon will still cook, so wait until it reaches 145°F to eat.
- The buttery pesto sauce will melt off the sides, we like to drain it off into a separate container and serve with the salmon later. Plate the salmon with lemon slices and fresh basil and drizzle the remaining sauce over top. Enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy leftovers cold. To reheat, you can warm it in the oven at 275°f degrees for 10-15 minutes until reheated. You can also microwave it, but we recommend using half power to avoid overcooking the fish.
Notes
- Choose high-quality salmon - To ensure perfect flavor with this dish, buy fresh, sustainably sourced salmon with bright color and a firm texture.
- Use an instant-read thermometer - Salmon is best when juicy and not overcooked, but not all times are one size fits all, as there can be different thickness and sizes to the fish you are using. Use an oven safe thermometer to make sure the fish is at the perfect temperature.
- Let the salmon rest - This will allow the salmon to reabsorb its flavor and give you the best results for this recipe!
- Red pepper flakes are optional.
Nutrition
These nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are only estimates. We cannot guarantee the accuracy.
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