Celery Free Basil-Pesto Salmon Fillets
Rich, flaky salmon topped with a vibrant, creamy basil pesto — this is the kind of weeknight dinner that looks like it came from a nice restaurant but comes together with minimal fuss. The pesto here gets its luscious body from avocado rather than the pine nuts or cheese you'd find in a traditional version, which means it's completely free of any celery-family ingredients and still delivers serious depth of flavor. Bright lemon juice, fresh garlic, and a hint of ground ginger keep every bite lively and aromatic. The technique is straightforward: a quick stovetop sear locks in a golden crust before the oven finishes the job gently, so the fish stays moist all the way through. Spooning the pesto over the fillets just before roasting lets it meld right into the salmon as it cooks, creating a gorgeous, herb-green topping that's almost too pretty to eat. Serve it with a squeeze of lemon and a few extra basil leaves, and you've got a plate that's as impressive as it is effortless.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ medium avocado, pitted and scooped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For the salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
- fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
- 2
Combine the basil, avocado, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and ground ginger in a food processor or blender. Pulse several times to break everything down, then stream in the 1/4 cup olive oil with the motor running until the pesto is smooth and bright green. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Set aside.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!