Description
Juicy Baked Pesto Salmon is an easy and elegant dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. Fresh salmon fillets are smothered in herby basil pesto, topped with lemon slices, and baked until perfectly flaky. It’s full of bright, rich flavor and pairs wonderfully with light sides or hearty grains.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets
½ cup basil pesto
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
2. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and place them skin-side down in the baking dish.
3. Spoon or brush the basil pesto evenly over each salmon fillet.
4. Top each fillet with 2–3 thin lemon slices.
5. Drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
7. Remove from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Don’t skip patting the salmon dry—this helps the pesto stick and prevents steaming.
For crispier edges, broil the salmon for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking.
If your pesto is thick, thin it slightly with olive oil to spread it more evenly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: salmon, pesto, healthy, weeknight, low carb