Need to make your fish dinner more exciting? Try this easy Salmon with Walnut Pesto recipe. Not only is pesto our absolute favorite (duh), but it is packed full of healthy fats! Combine that flavor with salmon, it is an instant favorite.

We are often asked for recipes to help prepare fish. Everyone knows that eating more fish has positive health benefits, yet are a bit timid when preparing fish.  The good news is that preparing fish can be quick and easy and it is a welcome addition to your regular meals.

To make this homemade Walnut Pesto Recipe uses just a few ingredients that you probably have on hand.  You will need a ton of basil  (3 cups to be exact) so this recipe is a great use of your abundance basil garden (or your neighbor’s garden). In addition to using fresh basil, you will need walnuts, olive oil, parmesan cheese and garlic. Then mix it up in your food processor, it could not be any easier!

For more dietitian-approved salmon recipes, take a look at these popular recipes:

Let us know what you think of our salmon recipe in the comments below.

 

Salmon with Walnut Pesto

Not only is pesto our absolute favorite (duh), but it is packed full of healthy fats! Combine that flavor with salmon, it is an instant favorite.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Gluten Free, Seafood
Keyword: Low carb
Cooking Method: Oven, Stove Top
Condition: Diabetes, Gluten Free, PCOS
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups basil
  • 10 oz walnuts
  • 1 tsp salt kosher
  • 1-1/2 cup olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 4-5 oz salmon fillets
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Place basil, walnuts, salt, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese in food processor. Blend until smooth.
  • Heat 2 tsp olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each side of salmon fillets until golden and crisp.
  • Place salmon fillets in baking dish and bake until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, about 12-15 minutes.
  • Top each salmon fillet with 1 Tbsp pesto. Store remaining pesto in an airtight container and keep in freezer.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 81g | Sodium: 797mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 5g

Please note:

Nutrition info is approximate and may contain errors.

-recipe reviewed and updated March 2021

An award winning recipe developer, Dietitian Kaitlin’s mission is to empower others to reach their health goals by encouraging them to get back into the kitchen. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Diabetes.