How to Cook Salmon with Pesto Butter – A Simple and Delicious Recipe

Salmon with pesto butter is a quick, easy, and extremely delicious way to prepare fish The combination of flaky salmon with the bright, fresh flavor of basil pesto makes for a mouthwatering meal that takes almost no time to prepare

In this article, we’ll walk through step-by-step how to make this tasty dish. We’ll cover everything from picking out the right salmon fillet to assembling and baking this simple recipe. By the end you’ll be ready to make this savory pesto salmon for your next weeknight dinner or to impress guests.

Benefits of Cooking with Pesto Butter

Before we begin, let us talk about why it’s so great to cook salmon with pesto butter:

• Quick cooking—Salmon fillets cook quickly, and putting pesto butter on them makes the baking time even shorter. Dinner can be ready start to finish in about 30 minutes.

• Flavor boost – Pesto adds tons of bright, fresh basil flavor that perfectly complements the salmon. The butter helps the pesto adhere to the fish.

• It’s very simple to make—pesto salmon is one of the easiest fish recipes out there… The preparation takes just a few minutes too.

• Versatile – Pesto salmon pairs well with so many sides like rice, potatoes, veggies, and more. It’s a great dish for both weeknights and dinner parties.

• Healthy – Salmon is packed with healthy omega-3s.Cooking it yourself allows you to control ingredients and avoid preservatives or excess salt and oil.

Shopping for Salmon

The first step for pesto salmon is to pick up a beautiful salmon fillet. Here are some tips for choosing the best salmon:

• Go for wild-caught – Wild salmon like sockeye tend to be brighter orange and have a better flavor than farmed Atlantic salmon.

• Get a center-cut fillet – Center-cut fillets will give you the nicest presentation with uniform thickness. Side fillets taper off.

• Pick your preferred fat content – Fattier king salmon is buttery and rich while leaner wild sockeye has a more pronounced salmon flavor.

• Buy skin-on – Salmon skin gets super crispy when baked. If you don’t want to eat the skin, it helps protect the flesh while cooking.

• Get thicker fillets – Fillets closer to 1 1/4 inches will bake up moist. Super thin fillets can dry out quickly.

• Ask for deboned – Boneless fillets save you the trouble of removing pinbones yourself at home.

Pesto Butter Salmon Ingredients

With the salmon taken care of, let’s talk about the other pesto butter salmon ingredients you’ll need:

• Butter – Use softened, unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the dish.

• Basil pesto – Either homemade or jarred works great. Opt for pesto with no cheese if cooking for dairy-free diets.

• Salmon fillets – Plan for 4-6 ounces of salmon per serving. Pick wild-caught fillets with the skin on.

• Salt and pepper – Flake salt like Maldon and freshly ground black pepper give the best flavor.

• Lemon wedges – This bright, acidic complement served on the side balances the rich pesto butter.

And that’s it! Now let’s get into the fun part – actually putting this yummy recipe together.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here is an easy step-by-step overview for how to make pesto salmon:

1. Prepare the Pesto Butter

First, you’ll want to mix up the pesto butter that gives this dish its signature flavor.

• Soften 2-3 tablespoons of unsalted butter until spreadable but not fully melted.
• In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with 2-3 tablespoons of pesto. Stir with a fork until well blended.
• Set aside the pesto butter until ready to use.

2. Prep the Salmon

Next, get your salmon fillet ready to go.

• Rinse the salmon under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place fillet skin-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• If desired, run your fingers over the salmon to check for pinbones and remove any you find with tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
• Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper. Go lighter on salt if your pesto already contains salt.

3. Slather on the Pesto Butter

Now for the fun part – coating the salmon with the flavorful pesto butter.

• Use a spoon or rubber spatula to spread the pesto butter evenly over the top of the fillet.
• Spread all the way to the edges and get a nice thick layer – you want plenty of this tasty topping!
• If desired, use a pastry brush to distribute the pesto butter smoothly and evenly across the salmon.

4. Bake Until Done

Finally, pop your pesto salmon in the oven and bake until perfectly cooked.

• Bake in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Thickness will determine cooking time.
• Check for doneness at 10 minutes. Salmon should flake easily and be opaque inside when poked with a fork.
• For food safety, aim to reach an internal temp of at least 145°F on a meat thermometer.
• Baste with any extra pesto butter from the baking sheet halfway through cooking for extra flavor.
• Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end if you want an extra crisp, browned top.

5. Finish and Serve

When salmon reaches your desired doneness, remove it from the oven.

• Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows juices to settle.
• Transfer the salmon to plates or a serving platter.
• Garnish with lemon wedges and extra basil leaves if desired.
• Serve pesto salmon alongside your favorite veggies, potato, pasta, or grain dish.
• Enjoy this quick and delicious pesto salmon meal!

And that’s it! With these simple steps, you’ll have a gourmet salmon dinner ready in under 30 minutes. The preparation is easy, but the flavor payoff is huge.

Variations and Tips

Now that you’ve mastered the basics, try out some of these pesto salmon variations:

• Use homemade pesto instead of store-bought for fresher flavor.

• Swap in sun-dried tomato pesto for a twist on the classic basil pesto.

• For spicy pesto salmon, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the pesto.

• Cook in an air fryer instead of the oven for even faster cooking times.

• Add lemon zest, garlic, or Italian seasoning blend to the pesto butter.

• Use walnuts or almonds instead of pine nuts in homemade pesto if you have nut allergies.

• Serve any extra pesto butter on the side for dipping or spreading on bread.

• For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

• Cook vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or carrots alongside the salmon.

With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy restaurant-quality pesto salmon in the comfort of your own home. This recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. The next time you’re looking for a fast, flavorful meal, give this easy pesto butter salmon a try.