Pesto Butter Salmon (Printable)
Succulent oven-baked salmon with rich herby pesto butter, ready in 30 minutes for an effortless flavorful dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skinless or skin-on
→ Pesto Butter
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
03 - 3 tbsp basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
04 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
06 - ½ tsp salt
07 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
08 - Lemon wedges
09 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or foil.
02 - In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, pesto, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
03 - Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking tray. Pat dry with paper towels.
04 - Generously spread the pesto butter evenly over each fillet.
05 - Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time depends on thickness—start checking at 15 minutes.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The pesto butter creates this incredible crust that seals in all the salmon's natural juices
- It's the kind of dinner that makes you feel like you're treating yourself without actually trying that hard
- Leftovers, if you somehow have any, make the most luxurious salmon salad for lunch the next day
02 -
- Overcooking salmon is the tragedy I've committed too many times—pull it when it still looks slightly underdone
- Resting the fish for just two minutes after baking makes all the difference in texture
03 -
- Let the salmon come to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking for even cooking
- Double the pesto butter recipe and keep the extra in your freezer—it's incredible on grilled chicken or stirred into pasta