Pesto Butter Salmon

Pesto Butter Salmon

Pesto Butter Salmon is one of the quickest and easiest recipes out there. It cooks in no time and has so much flavor. It is terrific with a number of different side dishes, and it is easily doubled to serve for a dinner party!

Ingredients

  • 1 Salmon Filet

    1 to 1 1/4 pounds in size

  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

    very soft

  • 3 Tbsp Basil Pesto

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat the oven to 450 degrees.

  2. 2

    While you wait for the oven to heat, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, dull side up.

  3. 3

    Cut the salmon into 4 equal portions.

  4. 4

    To debone, run your fingers across each filet, until you feel the bones with your fingers.

  5. 5

    Using your fingers, tweezers, or kitchen scissors, grab the bones and pull them out one by one.

  6. 6

    Once the salmon is deboned, place the portions on the foil lined baking sheet skin side down, leaving at least a half inch of space in between each portion. If you are planning to cook the broccoli on the sheet pan with the salmon as pictured, you can fold one side of the foil up to create a barrier between the salmon and the broccoli.

  7. 7

    Season each piece of salmon using the 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. There is no need to season the skin side of the salmon, just the top.

  8. 8

    In a small bowl, soften the 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter in the microwave. Don't heat it too long to avoid melting the butter.

  9. 9

    Next, add the 3 Tbsp of pesto to the 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter and stir well.

  10. 10

    Spoon the pesto butter onto each portion of salmon, being sure to divide it evenly among the portions.

  11. 11

    Bake for about 8 minutes. If the top of the salmon filet flakes easily with a fork or the internal temperature reads a 125 to 130 degrees then you know the salmon is done.

  12. 12

    Serve with your favorite side dish. To serve with the roasted broccoli as pictured, please see the recipe notes below.

Pesto Butter Salmon

Pesto Butter Salmon

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About this Recipe

Craving a salmon dish that's both incredibly quick and packed with flavor? This Pesto Butter Salmon recipe is exactly what you need, delivering a deliciously satisfying meal with minimal effort.

The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity: a rich, herbaceous pesto butter that melts into the salmon as it cooks. This method infuses every bite with a luxurious blend of savory butter and bright basil, transforming a simple salmon filet into something truly special without a long ingredient list or complicated techniques.

What you'll experience is perfectly cooked, tender salmon, beautifully flaky, and bursting with the aromatic essence of fresh basil pesto. The unsalted butter ensures the salmon remains moist and succulent, while the pesto provides a vibrant, savory layer of flavor that's both comforting and gourmet. It's a remarkably easy dish to master, providing deep flavor that belies its quick preparation.

This recipe is incredibly versatile for customization. While classic basil pesto is fantastic, feel free to experiment with a different pesto, such as a sun-dried tomato or even a homemade parsley pesto. You could also mix in a little minced garlic or a squeeze of fresh lemon zest directly into the pesto butter for an extra layer of flavor. If you prefer individual portions, simply use the same pesto butter mixture on smaller salmon filets.

This Pesto Butter Salmon is an ideal choice for a busy weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough to easily double and serve at your next dinner party. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, from roasted asparagus to fluffy couscous or a simple garden salad.

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