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5 from 5 votes
Home By Course Main Entrees Proteins

25-Minute Easy Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe

Need an easy, go-to way to quickly bake some yummy salmon? This Baked Pesto Salmon recipe is it! Pesto, dijon mustard and brown sugar make this salmon pop in flavor, crunchy panko gives it dimension and it's baked to tender flaky salmon perfection. A five-star dinner ready in 25 minutes!

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By: Lauren published: Feb. 21, 2023 updated: Jun. 02, 2024 5 Comments

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Baked salmon on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe
Ingredients and Substitutions
How To Make
What To Eat With This Baked Pesto Salmon
FAQ: Baked Pesto Salmon
More Healthy Dinner Recipe Ideas You’ll Love
25-Minute Easy Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Restaurant quality salmon made home in 25 minutes? YUP. There’s a reason this baked pesto salmon recipe is our go-to!

I love salmon. It’s one of my favorite ways to switch up my protein because it cooks so quickly! I try to incorporate it as often as I can because it’s so incredibly healthy for you. It’s packed with omega-3’s, vitamin D, potassium and one of the best sources of vitamin B12. It’s practically a fillet of health.

Besides the health benefits, it’s just so yummy! Salmon is pretty bland on it’s on (like most proteins) which is great because it makes the perfect neutral palette to build upon. And we definitely do that with this recipe!

The pesto, dijon mustard and brown sugar work together to bring mad flavor to this salmon that will truly make your taste buds dance! And then the panko gives this salmon a little crunch and another level of dimension. Heck, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

This salmon pairs great with so many things too. Like rice, potatoes, noodles, vegetables. We love eating it alongside roasted potatoes or these 15-minute buttered noodles. For meal prep I love pairing it with rice and green beans like in these pesto salmon bowls.

If you’re looking for more salmon to switch it up, be sure to check out my salmon sushi bowls and bang bang salmon bites too!

Baked pesto salmon on a baking sheet with parchment paper

Why You’ll Love This Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe

  • Family favorite – this one is a favorite around here and I know it will be one of your go-to’s too!
  • BOLD flavors – no bland salmon here, this pesto salmon is bursting with rich flavors!
  • Ready in 25 minutes – and with just 15 minutes of prep time, hello easy weeknight meal!
  • Super healthy! Salmon is PACKED full of omega 3’s fatty acids (the good fat) and all kind of vitamins and nutrients! It’s one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
  • Good source of protein and healthy fats – pair with some grains and veggies for a perfectly balanced meal.
  • Pairs great with so much – seriously any grain or vegetable, there are so many great options! Read below for some pairing favorites!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for pesto salmon.
  • Salmon fillets – I used Atlantic salmon and used the individually-packed kind because I like that it’s pre-portioned. Usually these come as 4-oz. fillets (so 5 fillets for this recipe) or 5-oz. fillets (so 4 fillets for this recipe). But you can definitely use a whole salmon fillet too. Make sure to get the kind with the skin on because the skin helps keep the salmon moist when baked.
  • Brown Sugar
  • Seasonings – Grab some smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper.
  • Parsley – I would recommend fresh parsley here for the most fresh flavor!
  • Panko breadcrumbs – Use gluten free here is needed.
  • Pesto – I used basil pesto. Both homemade pesto or use store-bought basil pesto work here! You could even use a more spicy pesto here if you’d prefer.
  • Dijon mustard

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and freshly cracked black pepper. 

2. In a separate small bowl, combine the parsley, panko and fresh pesto sauce and another 1/4 tsp of salt. 

3. Place salmon fillets on the baking sheet, skin side down. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt then spread the mustard over top.

4. Add the brown sugar mixture evenly over top of the salmon fillets.

5. Then add the panko mixture on top. 

6. Bake salmon for 10 minutes or until opaque and the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Internal temperature should reach 135-140 degrees F with an instant read thermometer.

What To Eat With This Baked Pesto Salmon

  • 15-minute Buttered Noodles
  • Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
  • Simple Salad with Goat Cheese and Cranberries
  • Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
  • Maple Ginger Glazed Carrots
  • Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Air Fryer Green Beans
  • The Best French Onion Soup
  • Rainbow Corn Salad

FAQ: Baked Pesto Salmon

Can I make this Baked Salmon recipe gluten and dairy free?

This recipe is both gluten free and dairy free as written, just make sure you are using gluten free panko bread crumbs.

Can I use a whole salmon fillet or is it better to use the pre-portioned salmon?

You can use a whole salmon fillet too! I like the individually packed salmon because it makes it easier for storing and reheating the next day. But a whole fillet works too, it may just take a little bit longer in the oven.

I don’t like the skin, can I use skinless salmon?

I would still recommend getting the kind with the skin on. It helps keep the salmon moist and from drying out during cooking. Plus, once you bake the salmon, the skin falls off like a glove! So by baking with it on, you are a lot less likely to dry the salmon out, and then you can just easily peel it off if you want!  

How is this Baked Pesto Salmon recipe best served?

I’m serious when I say this salmon goes with pretty much everything! For a lower carb option, serve it up with a side of green beans cauliflower rice, or on top of a salad. For a more balanced meal, this dish pairs great with pasta, rice and potatoes. We love eating it with rice and green beans for a classic combo like in these Pesto Salmon Bowls. But it’s also great with a simple salad.

More Healthy Dinner Recipe Ideas You’ll Love

Chicken Caprese in a skillet surrounded by charred tomatoes and topped with balsamic

One Pan Caprese Chicken

Baked chicken pesto recipe in a baking dish.

Easy Baked Chicken Pesto Recipe

Healthy chicken schnitzel in a baking pan with parchment paper.

Amazing Good & Crispy Panfried Healthy Chicken Schnitzel

Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Air Fryer) on a plate.

15-Minute Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Air Fryer)

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

Pesto salmon bowl in a bowl with a fork.
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5 from 5 votes

25-Minute Easy Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe

? Dairy-Free ? Gluten-Free ? High Protein ? Low Carb ? Macro-friendly
Need an easy, go-to way to quickly bake some yummy salmon? This Baked Pesto Salmon recipe is it! Pesto, dijon mustard and brown sugar make this salmon pop in flavor, crunchy panko gives it dimension and it's baked to tender flaky salmon perfection. A five-star dinner ready in 25 minutes!
Yield: 5
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 25 minutes mins
Calories: 278kcal
Protein: 24g
Fat: 16.7g
Carbs: 8g

Ingredients

  • 1.25 lb. salmon fillets – about 5 fillets 4-oz. each*
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp + 1/4 tsp salt divided
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (14g)
  • 1/4 cup pesto (60g)
  • 2 Tbsp dijon mustard (30g)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  • In a separate small bowl, combine the parsley, panko and pesto and another 1/4 tsp of salt.
  • Place the salmon on the baking sheet, skin side down. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt then spread the mustard over top.
  • Add the brown sugar mixture evenly over top all the salmon fillets. Then add the panko mixture on top.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and tender with a fork.

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Instant Read Meat Thermometer optional

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
*Salmon can come in a wide range of sizes. I’d recommend the individually-packed kind because they’re easier to work and already pre-portioned. Usually these come as 4-oz. fillets (so 5 fillets for this recipe) or 5-oz. fillets (so 4 fillets for this recipe).
If your salmon is a different size, that is fine – just get as close as you can or scale the recipe as needed! Also if you rather do a large salmon fillet instead of the individual fillets, that works too! Whatever kind you use, I would still recommend getting the kind with the skin on. It helps keep the salmon from drying out during cooking. And it falls off like a glove once baked so you can just get rid of it then if you want!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1filet (117 g), Calories: 278kcal (14%), Carbohydrates: 8g (3%), Protein: 24g (48%), Fat: 16.7g (26%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Fiber: 0.3g (1%), Sugar: 4.9g (5%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Pesto Baked Salmon

© Author: Lauren

Pesto salmon bowl in a bowl with a fork.

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Lauren

Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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