Easy Pesto Salmon (3-Ingredients + 20 Minutes!)
Developed and tested by Robyn Conley Downs
on Mar 10, 2025 (last updated Jul 22, 2025) This 3-ingredient pesto salmon is a weeknight-friendly dinner that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. Oven baked or air fried, it’s ready in 20 minutes or crispy-edged, pesto-crusted, perfectly cooked salmon!
5 star review
“This recipe truly delivers! It could not be easier. It was delicious and eliminated the stress of preparing a Friday evening dinner for guests after a long work week.”
– Lisa
The Best Quick Pesto Salmon with Just Three Ingredients!
I created this easy salmon recipe because my daughter loves both salmon and pesto (what can I say, the girl’s got good taste), so I decided to take her two favorite ingredients and combine them together for a wildly simple yet incredibly tasty pesto crusted salmon. Seriously, this dish tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, but it’s really a quick + easy weeknight protein-focused staple recipe.
And I personally love it because the pesto pairs so well with fish and makes it taste better to people who don’t always enjoy the flavor of fish (such as myself).bTrust me, the basil pesto crust really compliments the salmon without overpowering it. And I kept things super simple for this homemade dinner recipe by using a store bought jar of pesto. You really can’t get much easier than that!
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Salmon with Pesto
A Crowd-Pleasing Quick Fish Dinner in the Oven or Air Fryer!
This dish works equally well oven baked or air fried. If you’re short on time, the air fryer will cook the salmon a bit faster, but the choice is totally up to you. And since you’re already going to be air frying or turning your oven on, why not roast some veggies as a side? Throw them in before you add the fish – anything from broccoli to cherry tomatoes to sweet potatoes go great! Or serve the filets alongside rice or pasta. For salmon pesto pasta (I highly recommend!), boil your favorite pasta, toss it with extra pesto, and serve the salmon on top.
Tips for Perfectly Baked Salmon
- Temp: It’s important that your oven is truly at 400F. Some ovens run cold, so it’s helpful to check the temperature inside your oven.
- Time: Cooking time will very depending on the thickness of your salmon, so start checking on the early side if in doubt.
- Pat Dry: I recommend patting the salmon dry before adding the seasoning to get the best flavor + texture combo.
- Parchment: Depending on the brand of pesto you use, it may weep a little oil, which is totally fine. That’s why I like placing parchment paper under the salmon to make cleanup easier.
- Go for Quality: If using store-bought pesto, look for one you love the flavor of or make your own – my homemade basil pesto is a great option for this one. Since there’s only two main ingredients, the flavor of your pesto makes all the difference.
Easy Pesto Salmon (20 Minutes + 3-Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 4 (6-oz) salmon fillets, skin on (fresh or frozen, defrosted)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons basil pesto
Equipment
Instructions
Oven Baked Pesto Salmon
- Heat the oven to 400F.
- Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Pat the salmon very dry with a paper towel. Spread out evenly, skin-side down, on the baking sheet and sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper. Spread 2 teaspoons of pesto evenly over each fillet.
- Place in the oven and bake until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145F, about 10-20 minutes.
- Top each fillet with ¼ teaspoon pesto and serve.
Air Frier Pesto Salmon
- Heat the air fryer to 400F.
- Pat the salmon very dry with a paper towel. Spread out evenly, skin-side down, in the air frier basket or tray and sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper. Spread 2 teaspoons of pesto evenly over each fillet.
- Place in the air fryer and air fry until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145F, about 7-10 minutes.
- Top each fillet with ¼ teaspoon pesto and serve.
Notes
- Oven Temp: It’s important that your oven is truly at 400F. Some ovens run cold, so it’s helpful to check the temperature inside your oven. Cooking time will very depending on the thickness of your salmon, so start checking on the early side if in doubt.
- Garnish: I love a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a few fresh basil leaves on top, but they’re totally optional.
- Nutrition Info: Will depend on the exact weight and type of salmon and brand of pesto you use.
One of our favorite quick & healthy weeknight meals!
Dahlia, yay, love that, us too. Such a weeknight dinner saver!
This recipe truly delivers! It could not be easier. It was delicious and eliminated the stress of preparing a Friday evening dinner for guests after a long work week. Our friend said he is adding it to his “Salmon Wednesdays” repertoire with his wife. Thank you Robyn!
Yay, Lisa, so happy to hear this one was a hit for an easy dinner party – I also love the idea of “Salmon Wednesday,” I may need to adopt that idea myself! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a reivew!