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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
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 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

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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