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    Home » Recipe

    Published: Jul 30, 2023 by maxcozzi · This post may contain affiliate links · 326 Comments

    Pesto Butter Salmon

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Pesto butter salmon is about as easy as it sounds! It uses a simple sauce made out of pesto, butter, and lemon zest. Smother it onto some grilled or baked salmon fillets and that's it!

    Pesto butter salmon
    Jump to:
    • Key Ingredients
    • Top Tip
    • More Salmon Recipes
    • Pesto Butter Salmon
    • Food Safety

    I love making homemade basil pesto for this recipe. It's so easy to make just by grinding up some basil, garlic, pine nuts (or walnuts), parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It really is a perfect accompaniment with salmon. Salmon's rich and succulent flavor is enhanced with the nutty and cheesy taste of pesto. 

    This recipe works just as well with store bought pesto too if you are in a pinch!

    I like to serve this meal with a side of grilled vegetables like this basil garlic zucchini recipe and a simple rice pilaf with carmelized onions. 

    Key Ingredients

    • Salmon - I prefer King or coho salmon because i'm in the Pacific Northwest and salmon is serious business here. A wild sockeye is also great for this recipe. 
    • Pesto - Homemade pesto really is best but a good store bought pesto works well in the butter sauce.
    • Lemon - I like using the lemon zest in the pesto butter sauce to give it a nice brightness and then obviously you need some lemon wedges when serving fish.

    Full ingredients and instructions below.

    Top Tip

    Don't overcook the salmon! Salmon doesn't need to be cooked for more than 10-12 minutes, especially on a hot grill. 

    More Salmon Recipes

    Looking for some more recipes using salmon? Give these a try, 

    • Campfire Salmon
    • Salmon with Mushroom Risotto
    • Penne Alla Salmone
    pesto butter salmon

    Pesto Butter Salmon

    This pesto butter salmon recipe uses a delicious pesto butter sauce smothered on top of juicy grilled salmon.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

    Nutrition

    Calories: 913kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 73g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 2268mg | Potassium: 1204mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2508IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 3mg
    Calories: 913kcal
    Author: Max Cozzi
    Servings: 2
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    Ingredients

    Pesto

    • 2 cups basil (packed)
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • ½ cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
    • 1 cup parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh black pepper

    Salmon

    • 1 lb salmon (whole or cut into fillets)
    • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh black pepper
    • ¾ cup pesto (homemade or store bought)
    • 3 tablespoon butter
    • 1 lemon (zested and wedges for serving)

    Instructions

    • Start by making the pesto. In a food processor or large blender add the basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper and grind into a coarse paste. This usually takes about 5 minutes. This makes more pesto than needed for this dish.
    • Get a charcoal or gas grill going. Prep the salmon by coating it in the oil, salt, and pepper. (or heat the oven to 400 degrees if baking).
    • Grill the salmon on the skin side for about 8 minutes or until the skin starts to brown, flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes, or until cooked through. (if baking, cook for about 15 minutes or until cooked through)
    • Heat a small saucepan to medium heat and melt the butter and add the lemon zest and pesto and mix well. Coat the cooked salmon in the pesto sauce and serve with fresh lemon juice.

    Video

    Notes

    The pesto recipe makes more than needed for this recipe. Save the rest in a jar to toss in some spaghetti or spread on top of toast. 
    Course: dinner, lunch
    Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean, pacific northwest
    Keyword: basil pesto butter salmon, pesto salmon, pesto salmon recipe, salmon pesto butter, salmon with pesto and lemon, salmon with pesto butter
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    Food Safety

    • Cook meat to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Max Cozzi, the creator of Redwood Kitchen food blog

    Hi, I'm Max! Welcome to Redwood Kitchen, where you will find tasty and approachable recipes. I am inspired by life in the PNW, from the Mediterranean climate to the asian influenced culinary scene.

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