Baked Salmon Pesto in 20 Minutes

Name: Baked Salmon Pesto in 20 Minutes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: ▢ 1 1/2 lbs salmon whole fillet or individual portsion; ▢ 4 tbs pesto or use Homemade Basil Pesto; ▢ 4 tsps extra-virgin olive oil; ▢ salt and pepper to taste

by A Sweet Thyme | Gwen

4 servings

20 min

Baked Salmon Pesto is a simple and flavor-packed recipe where tender salmon meets a herby pesto. It's fresh, fast, and perfect for weeknight meals when you want something healthy.

A cooked salmon pesto fillet topped with green sauce on a white plate, garnished with lemon wedges, yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a small bowl of extra pesto with a wooden spoon.

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I am always looking for fast, fresh meals during the week and pesto is one of those kitchen staples that makes cooking easier. Whether using my Homemade Basil Pesto, Pistachio Pesto or a store-bought variety, adding pesto to a protein makes an easy meal.

Since pesto is made with olive oil, it helps keep the salmon juicy and tender while it bakes. I often add some veggies to the sheet pan so everything cooks together. It can be a simple, fast sheet pan dinner meal.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this pesto salmon recipe:

baked salmon pesto in 20 minutes, A slab of raw salmon on brown paper sits beside labeled bowls of olive oil salt and pepper and vibrant salmon pesto on a white surface

A slab of raw salmon on brown paper sits beside labeled bowls of olive oil, salt and pepper, and vibrant salmon pesto on a white surface.

Ingredient Notes

Salmon - Salmon is packed with protein, omega-3s, and essential vitamins, making it a smart choice for dinner. I always look for wild-caught salmon when I can as it is leaner, more flavorful, and higher in minerals. Choose fillets that are firm, bright in color, and smell fresh. I like using a whole fillet instead of individual portions, like in this Salmon With Citrus, but that is my personal preference.
Pesto - At the end of every summer, I make a big batch of fresh pesto when basil is in season and freeze it to use all winter long. However, when I’m out of homemade pesto, Campo D'Oro pesto has been my go-to! Unlike many other brands, this pesto has bright flavors and a beautiful color.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Salmon Pesto: Step-By-Step

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:

baked salmon pesto in 20 minutes, A raw skinless fillet of salmon with visible white lines in the bright orange flesh resting on a sheet of brown parchment paper perfect for making fresh salmon pesto A white circle with the number 1 appears in the lower left corner

A raw, skinless fillet of salmon with visible white lines in the bright orange flesh, resting on a sheet of brown parchment paper—perfect for making fresh salmon pesto. A white circle with the number 1 appears in the lower left corner.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay the salmon, skin side down, on the sheet pan.

baked salmon pesto in 20 minutes, A close up of a raw salmon fillet on parchment paper seasoned with salt pepper and drizzled with oil perfect for making salmon pesto The bright orange flesh and marbling are visible A small white circle with the number 2 is in the bottom left corner

A close-up of a raw salmon fillet on parchment paper, seasoned with salt, pepper, and drizzled with oil—perfect for making salmon pesto. The bright orange flesh and marbling are visible. A small white circle with the number 2 is in the bottom left corner.

Step 2: Drizzle the salmon with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper.

baked salmon pesto in 20 minutes, A cooked salmon pesto fillet seasoned with black pepper and salt rests on brown parchment paper with a small amount of oil around it A white circle with the number 3 appears in the lower left corner

A cooked salmon pesto fillet seasoned with black pepper and salt rests on brown parchment paper, with a small amount of oil around it. A white circle with the number 3 appears in the lower left corner.

Step 3: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon starts to flake or the internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

baked salmon pesto in 20 minutes, A cooked salmon fillet topped with vibrant salmon pesto sauce is plated next to a lemon wedge cherry tomato and a small bowl of extra sauce A fork rests at the side

A cooked salmon fillet topped with vibrant salmon pesto sauce is plated next to a lemon wedge, cherry tomato, and a small bowl of extra sauce. A fork rests at the side.

Step 4: Remove the salmon and plate the salmon. Top the salmon with pesto and serve.

How To Know When Salmon Is Done

The easiest way to know if your salmon is fully cooked is to use a thermometer as it’s quick, reliable, and takes out all the guesswork. The USDA says 145°F is fully cooked, but I usually pull mine around 135°F and let it rest. The temp keeps rising a bit, and the salmon stays tender and juicy.

You can also check by look and feel. The salmon should be opaque (no longer shiny or translucent) and flake easily with a fork.

What To Serve With This Pesto Salmon Recipe

If I am not creating a sheet pan meal with this salmon recipe than I will serve the salmon with a salad and another vegetable. I like serving this salmon with these Green Beans and a good Arugula Salad. I like simple easy suppers!

You can eat roasted salmon cold the next day. That is my favorite way to eat salmon!

baked salmon pesto in 20 minutes, A salmon pesto fillet is served on a white plate with zesty lemon slices a fork fresh basil cherry tomatoes and a small bowl of extra sauce on the side

A salmon pesto fillet is served on a white plate with zesty lemon slices, a fork, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and a small bowl of extra sauce on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen salmon fillets in this recipe?

Yes, you can! You can either thaw the fillets in the refrigerator overnight, which is the best, or roast them from frozen. If you are roasting them from frozen, then you will need to increase the cooking time to get to the right internal temperature.

How can I use up leftover salmon?

My favorite way to use up leftover salmon is put the salmon into a grain bowl. I also love making a salmon salad out of the leftovers or putting the salmon on top of a salad for lunch.

Sides To Pair With Salmon

Broiled zucchini topped with a panko and mozzarella crust.

Zucchini Broiled With Garlic And Cheese

A bowl of marinated artichokes with chopped mint on top and a spoon.

Marinated Artichokes

A plate with roasted zucchini halves topped with a lemon yogurt sauce and chopped mint.

Zucchini With Feta

Mediterranean Eggplant on a white plate with a fork.

Mediterranean Eggplant (With Lemon Yogurt Sauce)

Baked Salmon Pesto in 20 Minutes

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Recipe details

Yield 4 servings
Time spent: Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 15 Minutes Total time: 20 min

Show Nutrition Info

Per serving

% Daily value

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay the salmon on the paper skin side down. 1 ½ lbs salmon, 4 tsps extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
Drizzle the salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste on the top of the salmon.
Roast the salmon for 15-20 minutes until the salmon starts to flake or reaches the internal temperature of 145℉.
Remove the salmon and plate on a platter. Top the salmon with the pesto and serve. 4 tbs pesto

Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Leftover salmon is delicious cold on a salad or in a grain bowl. You can also flake the leftover salmon and make a salmon salad for lunch.

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