Name: Pesto Salmon (3 Ingredients + 15 Minutes)
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 lb salmon fillet (a whole fillet or individual serving fillets, skin on or off); ½ cup Greek yogurt (or crème fraîche or other cooking yogurt); 3 Tbsp pesto (red or green; store bought or homemade); ¼ tsp salt (or according to taste); ¼ tsp ground black pepper (or according to taste); pesto (optional)

Total time: 15

Prep time: 3

5 from 1 vote

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This delicious Pesto Salmon is on your table in just 15 minutes. Smothered in a Greek yogurt and pesto blend, it is perfect for busy weeknights. Just 3 ingredients and 3 minutes of prep, but tons of flavor.

Pesto salmon on a serving platter with cherry tomatoes.

Lots of Flavor in Just 15 Minutes

If you're unsure about what to cook for dinner this week, this baked salmon with pesto should be top of the list. It's so easy to make with just 3 ingredients and 3 minutes of prep, and all done in 15 minutes.

The flavor profile is light but flavorful. Nutty basil pesto mixed with the freshness of salmon is such a good combo, and Greek yogurt helps keep the salmon juicy. And how much do we love a dish that's fish and sauce all in one simple package?!

It's a great option when you've made my Lemon Pepper Salmon and Firecracker Salmon too many times already. I love it for a lighter dinner with veggies, with a side of rice, or on top of something richer like lemon ricotta pasta.

Just 3 Main Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make pesto salmon.

What Salmon to Use

You can make this with individual salmon fillets (like I did here) or a whole salmon fillet. It will cook a bit quicker with individual fillets, a whole fillet will need 18-20 minutes. The salmon can have the skin on or off. I prefer skin-on, as it helps avoid the salmon sticking to the pan.

Choose Your Pesto

You can use almost any kind of pesto for this recipe: red pesto, green pesto, homemade or store bought, with pine nuts, cashews, walnuts or anything you like.

How to Make It in 3 Simple Steps

1. Pesto + Greek Yogurt

Start by mixing together pesto and Greek yogurt. Taste test and add salt and pepper only if needed.

Pesto mixed with Greek yoghurt, for topping salmon with.

2. Top

Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if they have skin) in a greased baking dish or on a sheet pan. Top with the pesto-yogurt mixture.

Salmon topped with pesto mixed with Greek yoghurt, before baking.

3. Bake

Bake in the middle of the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until done. If you're using a whole salmon fillet instead of individual pieces it will need 18-20 minutes instead.

Salmon topped with pesto mixed with Greek yoghurt, after baking.

Top Tips for the Best Pesto Baked Salmon

Slice before you bake to save time. Even if you have a whole salmon fillet, you can slice it into individual fillets before baking. This will save cook time.

Don't overcook the salmon. Overcooking the salmon it will dry it out. To avoid this, follow the directions and cook the salmon until it reaches 145°F (63°C) on an instant read thermometer.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating

Like most fish, this pesto salmon recipe is best eaten straight away. However, leftovers can be stored as well.

Storing: Store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing the salmon after cooking.

Reheating in the microwave: Reheat in 30-second increments.

Pesto Salmon

Lots of Flavor in Just 15 Minutes

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