Pan-Seared Salmon with Cilantro-Lime Pesto

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Salmon fillets pan-seared to a crisp golden crust served with a vibrant cilantro-lime pesto that brightens every bite. This seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 International cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until skin is crisp.
  3. Step 3: Flip salmon carefully and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Step 4: To make the cilantro-lime pesto, combine 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese in a food processor. Pulse while drizzling in 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil until smooth but slightly textured.
  5. Step 5: Spoon the pesto generously over the salmon fillets and serve immediately with a side of steamed vegetables or rice.

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