Pan-Seared Salmon with Omega-3 Walnut 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 drafted and published.

This pan-seared salmon features a vibrant walnut pesto rich in omega-3s, offering a healthy and flavorful main course. This Mediterranean-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, walnuts, fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pulse until smooth but still slightly textured, scraping down sides as needed.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until edges are crispy and skin releases easily; flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove salmon from heat and spoon 2 tbsp of walnut pesto over each fillet. Serve immediately with extra pesto on the side.

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