Pesto Butter Salmon Fillet (Printable)
Succulent salmon fillets oven-baked with rich pesto butter for moist, flavorful results
# What You'll 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)
# How To Make It:
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 Tips:
01 -
- The pesto butter creates this incredible crust that seals in moisture
- Ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
02 -
- Patting salmon dry before adding the butter helps it stick and creates better caramelization
- Thicker fillets take longer, so start checking at 15 minutes to avoid drying it out
03 -
- Room temperature butter blends much more smoothly than cold
- Letting the salmon rest for 2 minutes after baking helps it finish cooking evenly