Pesto Butter Salmon (Printable Version)

Succulent oven-baked salmon with rich herby pesto butter, ready in 30 minutes for effortless weeknight dinners.

# 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)

# Directions:

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 Hints:

01 -
  • The pesto butter keeps the salmon incredibly moist without any fancy techniques
  • Ready in 30 minutes but impressive enough for date night or dinner guests
  • Minimal cleanup means you can actually relax after eating
02 -
  • Overcooked salmon becomes dry and disappointing quickly, so checking a few minutes early is always better than late
  • The butter creates its own sauce, so avoid crowding the pan or the fish will steam instead of roast
  • Room temperature salmon cooks more evenly, so take it out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking if possible
03 -
  • Broil for the last two minutes if you want those gorgeous caramelized edges and slightly crispy top
  • Let the salmon rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices redistribute throughout every bite

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