Baked Salmon with Pesto Butter Sauce

Two perfectly baked salmon fillets are plated and topped with vibrant green pesto butter sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves, demonstrating the finished dish with its glossy, herb-flecked presentation.

This simple dish using pesto from the supermarket as the base for the sauce is quick and just takes as long as the salmon takes to cook. You’ll learn to adjust baking time based on fillet thickness and fold the thinner belly portion under for even cooking.

Serves 1 | Active Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Chef's Notes

Salmon fillets will vary in thickness. Adjust the cooking time up or down depending on the thickness.

Preparing to cook

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Step 1: Preparing to cook

Step 2: Preparing the salmon

2 salmon fillets, skin removed, about 4 ounces each
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon olive oil

Place the salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet or ovenproof dish. If the salmon is thicker at one end than the other, tuck the thinner belly portion underneath. Sprinkle lightly with salt and drizzle with oil. Bake until cooked to your liking, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 3: Making the sauce and finishing the dish

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons basil pesto
Freshly ground black pepper

While the salmon cooks, melt the butter in the microwave and then stir in the pesto to make the sauce. Place the salmon on a platter or individual plates; spoon the sauce over the salmon.

Step 4: Serving

Basil or oregano sprigs

Serve immediately garnished with basil or oregano sprigs.

Share