For a taste of spring or the perfect way to use up an overabundance of garden basil, make this grilled pesto salmon recipe.
BBQ pesto salmon is one of our favorite easy weeknight dinners that is perfect when the weather is nice and you’re wanting to fire up the grill, but looking for something lighter than burgers, sausages, or steaks.
This easy recipe is full of bright flavor with pretty minimal effort.
Homemade Basil Pesto
Pesto is a classic recipe that is a bright and flavorful combination of fresh basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
While you can make this recipe with jarred, store-bought pesto, we highly encourage you to make homemade pesto instead.
There is no comparison to flavor when making homemade pesto compared to tasting something premade.
This is because the oils of the herbs are more fresh and fragrant when prepared at home.
Genoa is the birthplace of pesto, and when visiting nearby Cinque Terre, we experienced a pesto making class complete with a pesto tasting.
Traditionally, pesto made in Italy is prepared with a mortar and pestle, but if you don’t have one in your kitchen or you are looking for a shortcut, a food processor will also suffice (just don’t tell an italian!)
The simple sauce can totally transform your meal!
Tips for Grilling Salmon Directly on the Grill
Grilling fish can be intimidating to many because they are worried about the fish sticking to the grill. These cooking tips will help to reduce the risk of the grilled pesto salmon sticking to the grill grates:
- Completely dry off the salmon on both sides of the fish to remove excess moisture, this will help prevent sticking.
- Ensure the grill grates are clean, and then use tongs to rub a paper towel soaked in olive oil on the grill grates.
- Preheat the grill. If using a charcoal or gas grill with the ability to create two cooking zones, put one side on high heat and one on low heat.
- Coat the fish in olive oil and season with salt and pepper prior to placing the salmon skin side down on the grill grates on the hot size.
- Use a fish spatula instead of tongs to flip the fish, you can finish the fish on the lower heat side to cook until an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Tips for Grilling Salmon Directly on a Cedar Plank
If grilling fish still seems intimidating to you, we highly recommend trying to make cedar plank grilled salmon. The wooden plank adds an additional level of flavor, the fish stays nice and juicy, and the mess is minimal! Here are tips on making grilled cedar plank salmon:
- If using a dry cedar plank, soak it in water for 2 hours prior to grilling. We are using MOWI cedar plank salmon where the plank is already presoaked, so it saves a lot of preparation time at this step!
- Season your salmon prior to placing the salmon with the cedar plank directly on a grill that has been preheated to 400 degrees.
- Close the grill and cook the salmon for about 20 minutes (this varies based on the thickness of the salmon). It’s best to use a wireless meat thermometer and cook the fish until it reaches the USDA recommended internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
What to Serve with Grilled Pesto Salmon
This grilled pesto salmon recipe is so good, you’ll be devouring it right after it’s removed from the grill!
If you’re looking for a proper plated meal, the salmon is really versatile.
Here are a few tasty serving ideas:
- Pasta – Pesto and pasta are a match made in heaven. You can use the excess pesto sauce to toss in pasta and then top with the salmon. We prepared orzo with olive oil and cherry tomatoes as a side dish. When mixed with the grilled pesto salmon it created a lovely flavor combination.
- Grain Bowl – You could also serve this grilled pesto salmon on a bed of grains. Whether it’s quinoa, couscous, or a rice bowl, the flavors will be delicious.
- Salad – For a healthy lunch, place the pesto salmon on a bed of dressed greens. Add in cherry tomatoes and green onions, alongside your other favorite vegetables for a gourmet salad!
Grilled Pesto Salmon Recipe (with Cedar Plank Salmon Option)
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 Minutes
Serves: 2-4 people
Ingredients:
- 2 MOWI cedar plank salmon fillets
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Directions:
- If using a cedar plank, ensure it has soaked in water for at least two hours to prevent burning. If using MOWI cedar plank salmon kit, no soaking is required since the planks are already pre soaked for your convenience.
- Preheat your grill to 400 degrees F and season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, toast your pine nuts in a skillet on low heat for a few minutes until a nutty aroma arises. Then add the toasted pine nuts, basil leaves, and garlic cloves to a food processor.
- Pulse until finely chopped, then add in the parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Pulse to combine.
- Finally, turn on the food processor and gradually stream in the olive oil until well combined and smooth.
- Add salt and pepper to the pesto, to taste.
- Now it’s time to make the salmon. Add a wireless thermometer to the thickest part of the fish. It’s important to cook to temperature, not based on time. GRILLED: Place the piece of the salmon skin side down on the hot side of the grill. Sear for about 6 minutes, then use a fish spatula to move it to the cooler side of the grill (you can also just drop the heat of your grill at this point). Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of pesto sauce on top of the salmon. Continue to grill the salmon for about another 10-12 minutes, until it comes to temperature. CEDAR PLANK: If using a cedar plank, place it directly on the grill grates. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of pesto sauce on top of the salmon. Grill the cedar plank salmon for about 20 minutes, until it comes to temp.
- Cook until an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and until the fish flakes away with a fork.
- Top the grilled salmon with additional homemade creamy pesto sauce and serve with a lemon wedge to garnish with fresh lemon juice.
NOTE: You will have extra pesto sauce. Store the pesto mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This pesto recipe is amazing in pasta, on sandwiches, and also on our tomato, peach, and burrata salad!
Grilled Pesto Salmon Recipe (with Cedar Plank Option)
This grilled pesto salmon recipe is loaded with flavor. It includes the option for direct grilling or making cedar plank salmon.
Ingredients
- 2 MOWI cedar plank salmon fillets
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- If using a cedar plank, ensure it has soaked in water for at least two hours to prevent burning. If using MOWI cedar plank salmon kit, no soaking is required since the planks are already pre soaked for your convenience.
- Preheat your grill to 400 degrees F and season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, toast your pine nuts in a skillet on low heat for a few minutes until a nutty aroma arises. Then add the toasted pine nuts, basil leaves, and garlic cloves to a food processor (or use a morter and pestle for authentic pesto!)
- Pulse until finely chopped, then add in the parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Pulse to combine.
- Finally, turn on the food processor and gradually stream in the olive oil until well combined and smooth.
- Add salt and pepper to the pesto, to taste.
- Now it’s time to make the salmon. Add a wireless thermometer to the thickest part of the fish. It’s important to cook to temperature, not based on time. GRILLED: Place the piece of the salmon skin side down on the hot side of the grill. Sear for about 6 minutes, then use a fish spatula to move it to the cooler side of the grill (you can also just drop the heat of your grill at this point). Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of pesto sauce on top of the salmon. Continue to grill the salmon for about another 10-12 minutes, until it comes to temperature. CEDAR PLANK: If using a cedar plank, place it directly on the grill grates. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of pesto sauce on top of the salmon. Grill the cedar plank salmon for about 20 minutes, until it comes to temp.
- Cook until an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and until the fish flakes away with a fork.
- Top the grilled salmon with additional homemade creamy pesto sauce and serve with a lemon wedge to garnish with fresh lemon juice.
Notes
NOTE: You will have extra pesto sauce. Store the pesto mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This pesto recipe is amazing in pasta, on sandwiches, and also on our tomato, peach, and burrata salad!
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Looking for Other Amazing Salmon Recipes?! Don’t Miss These Other Scrumptious Dishes:
- Mediterranean Salmon Skewers
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- 10 Minute Hawaiian Salmon Poke
- Baked Lemon, Garlic, and Herb Mediterranean Salmon
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