• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Join the Fit Cookie Club!

Join
Login
contact
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Lauren Fit Foodie

Healthy and Easy, but make it Delicious!

  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • By Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Main Entrees
      • Sauces & Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Snacks
    • By Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • High Protein
      • Macro-friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • By Protein
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Eggs/Egg Whites
      • Ham/Pork
      • Meatless
      • Protein Powder
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • By Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Crock-Pot
      • Grill
      • Microwave
      • No-Bake
      • Oven-Baked
      • Stovetop
    • By Type
      • Casserole
      • One Pot/One Pan/One Dish
      • Meal Prep
      • Sheet Pan
      • 30 Minutes or Less
    • Most Popular
    • Roundups & Guides
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • About
    • About Lauren
Display Search Bar
5 from 5 votes
Home By Course Main Entrees Bowls

Anti-Inflammatory Pesto Salmon Bowls (30-Minute)

There is so much to love about these pesto salmon bowls! They're a bowl of anti-inflammatory health packed with healthy fats, fiber and all kinds of nutrients. The pesto baked salmon is insanely flavorful and pairs perfect with rice and green beans. And it's ready in 30 minutes!

Jump to RecipeRatePrint Share

Share on:

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Lauren
By: Lauren published: Feb. 27, 2023 updated: Jan. 08, 2024 4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Pesto salmon bowl in a bowl with a fork.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Pesto Salmon Bowls
Ingredients and Substitutions
How To Make
FAQ: Pesto Salmon Bowls
More Meal Prep Recipes You’ll Love
Anti-Inflammatory Pesto Salmon Bowls (30-Minute)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Y’all know my love for bowl meals and this pesto salmon bowl is no exception! Made with a combination of tender, flaky, flavorful salmon, fresh green beans and rice, this pesto salmon recipe make a delicious meal all week long!

These healthy salmon bowls are great to prep for lunches for the week because they’re macro balanced and make for the perfect filling, energizing lunch! They also make an easy weeknight meal!

You can also easily tweak these pesto salmon bowls based on your dietary needs and preferences. Sub the rice for cauliflower rice or more veggies to make low carb. Or throw the salmon over top a salad!

You can also switch the green beans out for your favorite vegetable. Maple Ginger Glazed Carrots, Air Fryer Broccoli, Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots, snap peas, spaghetti squash or even zucchini noodles would all go great with this!

Pesto salmon bowls in bowls with forks.

Why You’ll Love These Pesto Salmon Bowls

  • Easy meal prep – Perfect lunch prep for the week and one you’ll keep looking forward to.
  • Macro-friendly – A protein-packed, macro-balanced meal!
  • SO FLAVORFUL! Made with fresh, flavorful ingredients with so many dimensions of flavor.
  • Super healthy! Salmon is PACKED full of omega 3’s fatty acids (the healthy fat) and all kind of vitamins and nutrients! It’s one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
  • Super customizable! Use any grain, veggies or herbs that you love or whatever you have on hand.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for pesto salmon bowls.
  • Salmon – 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 black pepper for the salmon. We’ll use ranch seasoning mix to season the green beans – it gives it such a yummy herby flavor! Although if you want, you can just use onion and garlic powder instead.
  • Parsley – Freshly chopped parsley helps brings freshness to this salmon! You can also use basil leaves or whatever herbs you have on hand.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs – To give the salmon a little crunch and another dimension of flavor! Use gluten free if needed.
  • Pesto – I used basil pesto. You can make your own pesto or use store-bought basil pesto work here! You could even use a more spicy pesto here if you’d prefer.
  • Dijon mustard – Also helps give this salmon flavor!
  • Green beans – Fresh green beans work best here, but you can use frozen if you want.
  • Rice – Any rice works! Use microwaveable rice to save some time.

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!

Spices in a small bowl with a whisk.

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. 

Pesto ingredients in a small bowl with a spoon.

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

Raw salmon topped with mustard on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place the salmon on the baking sheet, skin side down. Spread the mustard over top.

Raw salmon topped with brown sugar mixture in a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Add the brown sugar mixture evenly over top all the salmon fillets. Then add the panko mixture on top. 

Baked salmon on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Bake for 10 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and tender with a fork. Let salmon cool to room temperature.

Green beans topped with seasoning in dutch oven with a wooden spoon.

6. Set a large skillet to medium heat. Add the green beans and coat generously with cooking spray (or use olive oil). Set a large skillet to medium heat. Add the green beans and coat generously with cooking spray (or use olive oil).

Green beans in a dutch oven with a wooden spoon.

7. Saute for about 5-6 minutes. Then remove from heat. You can also cook in the air fryer (see notes).

Pesto salmon bowls in rectangle meal prep bowls.

8. To Assemble: add 1/2 cup cooked rice on one side of the container and add 1/5 of the cooked green beans on the other. Place the salmon fillet on top. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. 

FAQ: Pesto Salmon Bowls

Can I prep these pesto salmon bowls in advance?

Absolutely! These bowls come together in a few different parts. So you can always cook your salmon and green beans the morning of or day before. I used microwaveable rice to complete the bowls but for homemade rice, you can make that the day before as well. You can do each of these in parts according to what fits your day!

How are these pesto salmon bowls best served?

These bowls make a great macro-balanced meal in itself! You can top with more fresh herbs, lemon wedges (for the lemon juice), parmesan cheese, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, or additional pesto sauce for some more flavor.

Best meal prep containers for meal prepping?

I would recommend glass for safe reheating. We have these 2 & 3 compartment containers along with this 20-piece round set which works great to store four meal prep meals in, plus have the others for proteins, sides and sauces.

Can I cook the green beans in the air fryer instead?

I love cooking green beans in the air fryer because it gives them a nice char! To cook in the air fryer, add the green beans to a bowl and spray generously with cooking spray to coat (or drizzle with some avocado oil or olive oil). Toss to evenly coat, then add all the seasonings and toss again. Add the green beans to the air fryer basket in an even layer and air fry for 8 minutes at 375F, tossing halfway through. 

More Meal Prep Recipes You’ll Love

Baked chicken and cauliflower recipe with green and avocado on a plate with a fork.

Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Cauliflower Recipe (Super Easy)

Salsa verde chicken topped with peppers and onions served in bowls with forks.

Meal Prep Salsa Verde Chicken Bowls (Easiest Ever)

Zoomed in view of carnitas burrito bowls in bowls with forks.

Meal Prep Pork Carnitas Burrito Bowls With Rice

Honey sriracha chicken with rice and broccoli in meal prep containers.

Honey Sriracha Chicken and Broccoli

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.
Rate Recipe Print Pin for Later Share
5 from 5 votes

Anti-Inflammatory Pesto Salmon Bowls (30-Minute)

? Dairy-Free ? Gluten-Free ? High Protein ? Macro-friendly
There is so much to love about these pesto salmon bowls! They're a bowl of anti-inflammatory health packed with healthy fats, fiber and all kinds of nutrients. The pesto baked salmon is insanely flavorful and pairs perfect with rice and green beans. And it's ready in 30 minutes!
Yield: 5
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 15 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Calories: 400kcal
Protein: 28g
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 32g

Ingredients

Pesto Salmon:

  • 1.25 lb. salmon fillets – about 5 fillets 4-oz. each
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar (24g)
  • 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)

For the Bowls:

  • 1 lb. green beans ends trimmed
  • 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2.5 cups cooked rice for serving

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

For the Salmon:

  • 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. 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. Let salmon cool to room temperature.

For the Green Beans:

  • Set a skillet to medium heat. Add the green beans and coat generously with cooking spray (or use olive oil).
  • Add the ranch seasoning mix, salt, and black pepper, and toss to coat.
  • Saute for about 5-6 minutes. Then remove from heat. You can also cook in the air fryer (see notes)

To Assemble:

  • Add 1/2 cup cooked rice on one side of the container and add 1/5 of the cooked green beans on the other. Place the salmon fillet on top. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Skillet

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
To make dairy-free: sub ranch seasoning for dairy-free seasoning or use a mix of onion powder and garlic powder to taste.
Salmon Bowls stay fresh for 4-5 days.
To cook green beans in the air fryer: Add the green beans to a bowl and spray generously with cooking spray (or use olive oil). Toss to evenly coat, then add all the seasonings and toss again. Air fry for 8 minutes at 375F, tossing halfway through.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1bowl, Calories: 400kcal (20%), Carbohydrates: 32g (11%), Protein: 28g (56%), Fat: 18g (28%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 8g (9%)

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 Salmon Bowl

© Author: Lauren

Pesto salmon bowl in a bowl with a fork.

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Tag on Instagram
395 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
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!

Read More
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




guest
Recipe Rating




4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

sidebar

Hey There!

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!

Read More

Subscribe to email updates!

Loading

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy.

new!

Weekly Meal Plans

In a meal prep rut and need some healthy meal inspiration? Get new downloadable macro-friendly meal plans & exclusive recipes sent to your inbox EVERY week for just $10/month!

join now!

Reader Favorites

Crockpot taco pasta on a plate with a fork.

Super Easy Crockpot Taco Pasta (10-Minute Prep!)

Slices of skinny chocolate chip banana bread on a plate with banana slices and chocolate chips.

Skinny Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (Low Calorie + One Banana)

Two high protein chicken enchiladas topped with cilantro on a plate with a fork.

High Protein Chicken Enchiladas (30 minutes, 7 ingredients)

Low calorie egg salad on a sandwich with greens, cut in halves and stacked vertically.

Low Calorie Egg Salad (Higher Protein, Lower Fat)

Healthy chicken curry with rice and pita bread in a bowl.

The Most Yummy Healthy Chicken Curry (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Starbucks spinach feta wraps stacked on a plate.

Copycat Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap Recipe (Double the Protein!)

Ninja creami vanilla protein ice cream topped with chocolate chip cookie pieces and rainbow sprinkles in a glass bowl.

Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream Recipe (The Perfect Base!)

Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili topped with shredded cheese, avocado, and sour cream in a bowl with a spoon.

Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili (High-Protein!)

Meal Prep Recipes

Chicken Caesar Pinwheels on a tray.

Chicken Caesar Pinwheels

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Rice Bowls

Sheet Pan Chicken Cornflake Dinner on a baking sheet with foil.

Sheet Pan Cornflake Chicken Dinner

Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs (30-Minute, High Protein)

Rainbow chicken salad on two pieces of toast and greens.

Rainbow Chicken Salad (Lightened-Up)

Sheet Pan Eggs-in-a-Hole in a platter.

Sheet Pan Eggs-in-a-Hole

Elote Ground Turkey Skillet topped with sour cream on a plate with a fork.

Elote Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet (High protein!)

Sausage pancake breakfast bake with blueberries in a baking dish being served.

Blueberry Sausage Pancake Breakfast Bake (Easy Meal Prep!)

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Cottage cheese egg bake with a side of greens on a plate.

Cottage Cheese Egg Bake (High Protein)

NEW!

Join the Fit Cookie Club!

In a meal prep rut and needs some inspiration? Get new weekly healthy meal plans and exclusive recipes for just $10/month!

Subscribe now!

follow along

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

recipes

Breakfast
Lunch & Dinner
Dessert
Meal Prep

explore

New? Start Here
Cookbooks
Dessert
Fit Cookie Club

get my cookbooks!

Get ALL the recipes in both my macro-friendly cookbooks when you join Fit Cookie club!

Join now!
Back to Top
Privacy Policy
Disclosure
Accessibility
Contact
Back to Top
© 2025 Lauren Fit Foodie
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
wpDiscuz
395 shares