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pesto butter salmon.
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5 from 1 vote

Pesto Butter Salmon

Indulge in this savory Pesto Butter Salmon Recipe, featuring a succulent fillet glazed with a rich, aromatic basil pesto and butter blend. Quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious - perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 564kcal
Author: Briana

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

Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 951mg | Potassium: 850mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1432IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg