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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Basil Pesto

    Published: July 31, 2021 / Updated: August 6, 2021 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Basil Pesto

    9 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pan-seared salmon with pesto and text overlay
    pan-seared salmon with pesto and text overlay
    salmon with pesto and almond basil pesto on spoon with text overlay
    pan-seared salmon with pesto and text overlay

    This pan-seared salmon with almond basil pesto is a restaurant-quality dish that is easy and fast to make at home.

    pan-seared salmon with almond basil pesto

    Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I've always had a deep love of salmon. My dad would take me fishing, and I'd help him catch, clean, and cook the fish.

    To this day, there is something so special about salmon. It's a stunning fish: bright and vibrant in color, meaty and juicy, and full of delicious flavors.

    There are many ways to cook a salmon. We love to grill salmon (try this Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herbs recipe). It's also fantastic to bake in the oven, as in this Sheet Pan Salmon with Vegetables recipe.

    One of the fastest and most flavorful ways to cook salmon? Pan-seared on a cast-iron skillet.

    Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Basil Pesto

    salmon fillets

    Premier Catch sent me some Wild King Salmon to try recently. I've been making this dish for a while and decided to make it with the salmon they sent. Holy moly, it was crazy delicious!! The salmon was so fresh. The fillets were thick and juicy, and everything was packaged beautifully and arrived super fresh.

    JUST FOR URBAN BLISS LIFE READERS:
    Save 15% off your order from PremierCatch.com with code BLISS15

    Tools & Equipment

    pan-seared salmon with almond basil  pesto - two plates

    To make this dish, you'll need:

    A food processor - Any food processor that's in the range of 8 to 10 cups will work.

    A heavy bottom skillet or cast-iron skillet - this helps you get a beautiful sear on the salmon.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for pan-seared salmon with almond pesto

    Salmon - whenever possible, use wild-caught salmon. Most Pacific salmon that you find will be wild salmon; almost all Atlantic salmon is farmed. The taste of wild salmon is far superior.

    Olive Oil - Use your favorite extra-virgin olive oil.

    For the pesto, you'll need:

    Basil - the key to that bright, zesty, herby flavor

    Parsley - for an extra hit of fresh herbs

    Garlic - adds a nice depth of flavor

    Almonds - use whole almonds. You'll love the crunch that almonds bring to pesto! Not to mention, almonds are packed with healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E. Almonds are also said to help lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

    Olive Oil - use your favorite extra-virgin olive oil again here for the pesto.

    Salt and Pepper - be sure to season to taste. I prefer to use kosher salt for the salmon and the pesto.

    How to make this recipe

    almond basil pesto on spoon
    • Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, slowly place the salmon filets, skin side down, onto the pan. Let it cook without moving it for about 5 minutes, until the bottom gets a nice crisp crust.
    • After 5 or 6 minutes, gently flip the filets over and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, just until the salmon is fully cooked. Transfer salmon to plates and set aside.
    • In a food processor, add the basil leaves, parsley, garlic, and almonds. Process, and while the ingredients are mixing, pour in the olive oil through the top of the food processor. Season with salt and pepper and process. Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed, then spoon on top of the salmon and serve.

    What to serve with salmon

    This salmon goes well with many side dishes, including:

    • Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Summer Slaw
    • Melon and Prosciutto Caprese Salad
    • Radish, Carrot, Arugula Salad

    It's also delicious on a bed of brown rice, couscous, or quinoa!

    Wine pairings for salmon

    Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables with Wine

    Two classic wine pairings for salmon are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. No surprise, as both are the flagship wines of the Pacific Northwest, where wild salmon often comes from.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do I choose the best salmon at the grocery store?

    Look for a vibrant pink color without any darkening around the edges. Salmon should be firm to the touch, and have a normal seafood smell; it shouldn't smell too "fishy."

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes! It's easy to double this recipe to feed four people. You want to make sure you don't overcrowd the pan. So if you're doubling the recipe, you will likely need to cook your salmon in two batches, to ensure that each fillet has sufficient room around it while it cooks.

    More Salmon Recipes

    • Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables
    • Grilled Salmon with Lemon & Herbs
    • Smoked Salmon Artichoke Dip
    • Salmon with Asparagus, Carrots, and Peas

    More Pesto Recipes

    • Carrot Top Pesto
    • Spinach Pesto
    pan seared salmon with almond pesto and lemon.

    Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Basil Pesto

    5 from 5 votes
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 15 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    This restaurant-quality dish is easy & fast to make at home!
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 643kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Ingredients

    • 2 salmon filets with skin on, about 3 to 4 ounces each
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    Pesto

    • 1 cup torn basil leaves
    • ½ cup parsley
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • ⅓ cup whole almonds
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, slowly place the salmon filets, skin side down, onto the pan. Let it cook without moving it for about 5 minutes, until the bottom gets a nice crisp crust.
    • After 5 or 6 minutes, gently flip the filets over and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, just until the salmon is fully cooked. Transfer salmon to plates and set aside.
    • In a food processor, add the basil leaves, parsley, garlic, and almonds. Process, and while the ingredients are mixing, pour in the olive oil through the top of the food processor. Season with salt and pepper and process. Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed, then spoon on top of the salmon and serve.

    Notes

    Searing the salmon: Sear the skin side down first. It's much easier to flip the salmon after it forms a crispy crust on that side. Trying to flip the fish when searing the exposed flesh side first could end up breaking the delicate filet.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 643kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 32g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1248mg | Potassium: 1151mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1968IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 4mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Angela says

        June 04, 2022 at 8:24 am

        5 stars
        What a great way to serve salmon! I love the flavors you get from the pesto. It's my new favorite way to eat salmon.

        Reply
      2. Claudia Lamascolo says

        June 04, 2022 at 5:14 am

        5 stars
        This salmon was so moist and flavorful we just loved it will make it again!

        Reply
      3. Ieva says

        June 04, 2022 at 3:20 am

        5 stars
        Loved it! So easy to make and what a lovely restaurant-quality dish! Pesto was absolutely divine! Will definitely be making this again soon :)

        Reply
      4. Dannii says

        June 04, 2022 at 2:57 am

        5 stars
        This salmon looks perfectly cooked and that pesto looks amazing.

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hey Hey! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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