Citric Acid Free Basil-Pesto Salmon Fillets
Fresh, vibrant, and deeply satisfying, this salmon dish pairs a silky avocado-basil pesto with perfectly seared and roasted fillets for a dinner that feels genuinely special. The pesto comes together in a blender with fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, a touch of ground ginger, and lemon juice, landing somewhere between herbaceous and rich in the best possible way. For anyone navigating a citric acid sensitivity, the good news is that every ingredient here is whole and unprocessed — no packaged sauces, no preservative-laden condiments, and no hidden additives to second-guess. The lemon juice used is freshly squeezed, which is naturally occurring citric acid rather than the manufactured, fermented additive that causes problems for many people, so it fits comfortably within a citric acid-free approach. The technique is straightforward: a quick stovetop sear locks in moisture and builds a golden crust, then the oven finishes the job gently while the pesto melts into the fish. Avocado in the pesto adds a creamy body that makes the sauce cling beautifully to each fillet without needing any dairy or thickeners. It's the kind of weeknight meal that looks like you put in far more effort than you actually did.
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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.
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