Pesto Butter Salmon Fillets (Print version)

Tender salmon baked with creamy pesto butter, garlic, and lemon for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.

# What goes in:

→ 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

# Cooking steps:

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.

# Tips from flavorandfeast:

01 -
  • The pesto butter keeps the salmon incredibly moist while infusing it with bright herby flavor
  • Ready in just 30 minutes but tastes like something from a nice restaurant
02 -
  • Patting the salmon completely dry before adding the pesto butter helps it adhere better and promotes even cooking
  • Start checking at 15 minutes because overcooked salmon quickly becomes dry and disappointing
03 -
  • Let your butter soften naturally on the counter rather than microwaving it for the best texture
  • If your pesto is very thick, add just a teaspoon of olive oil to make it more spreadable

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