Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe

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Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe


Baked Pesto Salmon is a delicious and healthy recipe that is easy to prepare. Simply coat salmon fillets with pesto sauce and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes. Serve with a side of vegetables for a complete meal.

How To Make Baked Pesto Salmon

Prep Time: 15 minutes.

Cook Time: 15 minutes.

Yield: 4


INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets or a large 1 ½ pound fillet, wild caught if possible
  • Olive oil, for brushing
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for brining
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons basil pesto (homemade preferable)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted and chopped pine nuts
  • A few grates of lemon zest, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Brine the salmon: While the oven preheats, in a shallow dish stir together 4 cups room temperature water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt until it dissolves. Place the salmon in the water and wait for 15 minutes (this should be about the time it takes to preheat).


3. Bake*: Rub the bottom of a baking dish with olive oil. Pat each piece of salmon dry and place it on the pan. Sprinkle the salmon with ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt for each of the 4 fillets and fresh ground pepper. Cover pan with foil and bake the salmon for 10 minutes. Then remove the foil bake again for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on thickness, until just tender and pink at the center (the internal temperature should be between 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the center). A 1-inch thick fillet should cook in about 15 minutes total.

4. Serve: When the salmon is done, spoon the pesto over the salmon. Sprinkle it with chopped pine nuts and if desired, a bit of lemon zest. Serve immediately. (Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.)

Nutrition:

  • Calories: 222kcal 
  •  Carbohydrates: 6g 
  •  Protein: 19g 
  •  Fat: 13g 
  •  Saturated Fat: 2g 
  •  Cholesterol: 48mg 
  •  Sodium: 316mg 
  •  Potassium: 675mg 
  •  Fiber: 1g 
  •  Sugar: 4g 
  •  Vitamin A: 1029IU 
  •  Vitamin C: 27mg 
  •  Calcium: 56mg 
  •  Iron: 2mg