When it comes to a lightning-fast dinner that still feels indulgent, pesto salmon is the way to go. Topped with homemade parsley pesto and crunchy pine nuts, this dinner takes just 20 minutes from start to finish.
pesto salmon
The appeal of this pesto salmon is the contrast between the rich, buttery salmon and the wonderful nutty pesto spread on top. This pesto punches above its weight class, featuring the earthy flavor of parsley, toasted pine nuts, and hints of Parmesan and garlic. This is a dish with a well-balanced texture, aroma, and taste.
I love pesto, but I don’t cook with it very often. This is mainly because it’s really fun to make yourself. There are days when I don’t have time. But with this grilled salmon, you’ll have time to enjoy both. Parsley pesto is a little milder than basil pesto, so I decided to use that here. You can use whichever you like.
pesto salmon recipe
I often cooked this pesto and pine nut topped fish for my sons. they love it. So if you want to make this recipe your own, there are also some ways I change it up from time to time.
Finely chop a teaspoon of cilantro or arugula to add a subtle citrus or peppery flavor to the topping. Add chili flakes and heat gently. You can also put hot sauce on it before eating, but you need to be careful to make sure the flavors match well. Scatter the salmon fillets with crushed toasted pistachios. This adds gorgeous visuals and an extra crunch.
If you change the recipe, be sure to tell us what you changed and what the result was. We look forward to hearing from you!
recipe tips
When grilling fish, put it in the oven for about 10 minutes and then check on it. The thickness of the fillet will determine the cooking time. For best results, remove the fillets from the oven as soon as they start to turn golden brown.
easy grilled salmon
If you like easy baked salmon recipes, ours is peas in a pod. My husband, Sean, went on a fishing trip to Alaska every year, and I didn’t want to waste a single bite of that freshly caught salmon. So these are all hassle-free recipes with consistent results.
There’s something about the combination of sweet and smoky flavors that just works. And this brown sugar-glazed salmon proves that point as it melts in your mouth with every bite of perfectly caramelized salmon.
Marinate chipotle-lime salmon and transform it under the broiler into a great weeknight dinner. I also make this salmon in the peppery dill butter using the broiler. The blended butter is drizzled over the top and takes only a few minutes to mix.
This Balsalmic Ginger Marinated Salmon is one of the most flavorful salmon recipes I’ve ever made. There was a season in my life when this was the only seafood dish that consistently got two thumbs up from even the little guys at the table.
And this Spicy, Sweet, and Slightly Tangy Glazed Salmon and Broccoli is one of my favorite ways to cook fish today. It’s a very simple sauce that serves as both fish and broccoli. How could you say no?
Place the salmon on the counter and let it warm up for at least 30 minutes before cooking. It should be at about room temperature before cooking. This will help the salmon cook through before the topping gets too brown.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place fillets in a large, shallow baking pan. Combine pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, pesto, and mayonnaise in a small mixing bowl. Spread the crust mixture thickly over the surface of each fillet. Please use them all!
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the fish is firm to the touch and the skin is just starting to brown. The thickness of the fish will determine the cooking time. Garnish with lemon and serve hot.
calorie: 436 kcal | carbohydrates: 3 g | protein: 38 g | fat: 30 g | Saturated fat: 4 g | Polyunsaturated fats: 14 g | Monounsaturated fats: 9 g | Trans fat: 0.02 g | cholesterol: 101 mg | sodium: 222 mg | potassium: 936 mg | fiber: 1 g | sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 118 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | calcium: 86 mg | iron: 2 mg
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should only be used as a rough guide.
