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Grilled Salmon With Pesto Crust

Grilled Salmon With Pesto Crust pairs smoky, tender salmon with a nutty basil-pine nut pesto that’s toasted under the broiler for a fragrant, golden finish. The fish stays juicy while the cheesy, garlicky topping adds rich savor and fresh herb notes. Ideal for a weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend cookout.

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook20 mins
  • Serves4
  • DifficultyEasy
Grilled Salmon With Pesto Crust
  1. 1

    Warm a small skillet over medium heat; cook and stir the pine nuts in the hot pan until they are fragrant and toasted, about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Blend the basil, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and garlic in a blender until a thick paste forms. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending until the pesto reaches your desired consistency; season with salt and pepper.

  3. 3

    Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grate. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper.

  4. 4

    Set the salmon, skin side down, on the grill grates; close the grill and cook until the salmon is about two-thirds done, 8 to 15 minutes. Lift the salmon off the grill with a spatula and place it on a baking sheet, skin side down. Spread the pesto evenly over the salmon. Save any extra pesto for another use if there are leftovers.

  5. 5

    Position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven broiler.

  6. 6

    Broil the salmon until it flakes easily with a fork and the pesto is bubbling, about 5 minutes.