Oats Free Basil-Pesto Salmon Fillets
Salmon nights just got a serious upgrade with this vibrant, herb-forward dish that feels restaurant-worthy without much fuss. The star is a creamy avocado-basil pesto blended with garlic, lemon juice, and a hint of ground ginger — it's bright, silky, and completely made from scratch using whole, recognizable ingredients. Because every component here is naturally grain-free, there's zero concern about hidden oat-based fillers or thickeners sneaking into your dinner, which is a real relief when so many store-bought sauces and marinades can't say the same. The technique is a simple sear-then-roast method: you get a gorgeous golden crust on the flesh side before flipping and blanketing each fillet in that gorgeous green pesto, then the oven does the rest. Finishing at 145°F ensures the salmon is perfectly cooked through — tender and flaky, never dry. A squeeze of lemon over the top right before serving pulls everything together beautifully. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that looks like you tried way harder than you actually did.
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!