Description
This Salmon with Pesto Butter recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to prepare salmon fillets with a luscious homemade pesto butter. Perfectly seared in a skillet until golden and flaky, the salmon is topped with a vibrant basil pesto butter and finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish makes for a delicious and elegant meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pesto Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
For the Salmon
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil
- 4 fillets salmon, 4 ounces each, skin removed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice from 1/2 of a lemon
Instructions
- Make the Pesto Butter: In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and basil pesto. Mix them together thoroughly using a fork until the mixture is well blended and creamy. Set this pesto butter aside for later use.
- Prepare to Cook the Salmon: Heat 2 tablespoons of light olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, season the salmon fillets on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets into the heated skillet, skin side up since the skin has been removed, and let them cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes. This allows a golden brown crust to form. If the fillets stick to the pan, give them a few additional minutes to form the crust fully. If needed, add a few tablespoons of water to loosen the fillets before flipping.
- Flip and Add Pesto Butter: Carefully flip the salmon fillets over. Spread approximately one tablespoon of the prepared pesto butter evenly over the top of each fillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets, but the salmon should be flaky and fully cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon fillets to a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining pesto butter melted in the skillet over the salmon. Finally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over each fillet to add brightness and serve immediately for the best flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the salmon is at room temperature before cooking for even searing.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook the fillets in batches if necessary.
- If pesto butter is too firm, allow it to soften slightly at room temperature before spreading.
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor rather than pre-bottled lemon juice.
- Can be served with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (4 oz)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
