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    Home » Entrees

    Grilled Pesto Salmon Recipe in Foil

    Published: Jun 20, 2019 · Modified: Jun 9, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 18 Comments

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    A family favorite! This easy grilled pesto salmon recipe in foil, with sautéed peppers and shallots, requires virtually no clean-up. It’s equally good for weeknight meals and entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP
    This easy grilled salmon recipe in foil, with basil pesto and sautéed peppers and shallots, requires virtually no clean-up. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP | BBQ | Baked | Healthy | Keto | Recipes | Packets | With Vegetables | On Grill #salmonrecipes #grilledsalmon #foilpackets #healthygrillingrecipes #ketorecipes #smartpoints

    A family favorite! This easy grilled pesto salmon recipe in foil, with sautéed peppers, requires virtually no clean-up. Great for weeknight meals or entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP #salmon #grilling #weightwatchers

    Grilled Pesto Salmon Recipe in Foil

    By no choice of my husband's, the grill has become my domain, and this easy grilled pesto salmon recipe has become a favorite around here. His mistake was helping me to get over my irrational fear of turning on the gas grill (see How to: Turn on a Gas Grill if you know that fear well). I now wield the tongs like Annie Oakley wielded her six-shooter. I am one with the fire.

    As soon as the nice weather hits, I turn to barbecuing for about 75% of our meals. One of our favorites, thanks to my mum's ingenuity, is Easy Grilled Salmon in Foil with Ginger & Soy Sauce. Since that recipe is always such a success, I used the same principles, but changed up the flavors with a dollop of basil pesto and some sauteed red bell peppers and shallots.

    Salmon pesto pizza #pizza

    And the leftovers? Amazing on a pizza! That was my husband's brilliant idea.

    Spreading basil pesto on a salmon fillet.

    Tips for making this pesto salmon recipe:

    • Start by sautéing the peppers and shallots in a little olive oil. Cook them until they are just starting to soften. Remember, you'll be cooking them further on the grill.
    • While the peppers and shallots are cooking, smear the piece of salmon with some homemade or store-bought basil pesto. Make sure that you like the taste of the pesto you're using because, besides the salmon itself, this is the essence of the recipe.
    • Cover the salmon with the sautéed peppers and shallots, and wrap it all in one pretty foil package. Ten to fifteen minutes later, you will be rewarded with a tender, flavorful meal. Easy, right?
    • Use a double layer of regular foil or a single layer of heavy duty foil. Either works! I place the foil packet on a baking sheet so that it's easy to carry to and from the grill. When sliding the foil package off of the grill once the salmon is cooked, be sure to use tongs or a metal spatula because the foil will be hot.

    Cooked red bell pepper strips on a salmon fillet.

    How to tell when salmon is cooked:

    • The biggest challenge in any salmon recipe (okay, any fish recipe at all) is taking care not to overcook the salmon. If have a little trick for you.
    • Stick a small sharp knife into the thickest part of the salmon and hold it there for 10 seconds. Remove the knife and cautiously touch it to your upper lip (it's very sensitive to temperature). If the knife is hot, the fish is done. Seriously, it works every time.

    This grilled salmon recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and is practically foolproof! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #30minutemeal #recipe

    Other easy grilling recipes:

    Grilled Potatoes with Rosemary & Smoked Paprika {Cookin' Canuck}
    How to: Grill Corn {Cookin' Canuck}
    Chicken Shawarma with Lime Avocado Mayo {The Iron You}
    Grilled Nectarine & Chevre Salad with Honey Fig Vinaigrette {Simple Healthy Kitchen}
    Smoky Portobello Tacos {Dessert for Two}

    This easy grilled salmon recipe in foil, with basil pesto and sautéed peppers and shallots, requires virtually no clean-up. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP | BBQ | Baked | Healthy | Keto | Recipes | Packets | With Vegetables | On Grill #salmonrecipes #grilledsalmon #foilpackets #healthygrillingrecipes #ketorecipes #smartpoints

    Easy Grilled Pesto Salmon in Foil Recipe

    This easy grilled salmon recipe in foil, with basil pesto and sautéed peppers and shallots, requires virtually no clean-up. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP
    4.86 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrees
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: Gluten Free, Grilling Recipes, Healthy Dinner Recipes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 254.1kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup minced shallots
    • 1 red bell pepper cut into thin strips
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
    • 1 ½ pounds salmon salmon filet with or without skin (remove before eating)
    • 3 tablespoon basil pesto purchased or homemade
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the grill to medium heat.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes.
    • Add the red bell pepper, salt and pepper, and cook until the bell pepper is just tender, about 3 minutes.
    • Lay the salmon on a double sheet of foil that is lightly coated with cooking spray.
    • Spread the pesto over the salmon and arrange the shallot and red bell peppers over the pesto.
    • Seal the foil by folding it as though you wrapping a present. Slide the foil packet onto the grill and close the lid. Cook until the salmon is just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Take care not to overcook the salmon.
    • Unwrap the salmon from the foil,4cut into pieces and serve hot or at room temperature.

    Notes

    Weight Watchers Points: 1 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 6 (Points+)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.16of Salmon | Calories: 254.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.7g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 12.7g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 65.2mg | Sodium: 186.2mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.8g
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    This recipes was originally published on May 27, 2014, and was updated on June 20, 2019.

    30 minute meal! This Grilled Pesto Salmon recipe is always a crowd pleaser and is a breeze to make. 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #weightwatchers #cleaneating

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Frances

        July 02, 2021 at 5:30 pm

        5 stars
        Easy and the foil wrap keeps salmon from drying out. I used a pesto seasoning blend as a rub and then added a tab of pesto. I baked it in the oven at 400. We liked it very much. Will do again.

        Reply
      2. Ashley Judd

        July 16, 2019 at 4:18 am

        Eating was believing! Absolutely delicious. Grilled on recommended temperature made the difference. Nice smoky outside, flake tender inside. I love simple, easy recipes as well. This one is a keeper .

        Reply
      3. Ashley Judd

        July 15, 2019 at 2:24 am

        5 stars
        It’s been a good while since I made oven baked salmon. My recipe is similar to yours but I haven’t tried it with peppers yet. Looks like it’s the highest time to do so!

        Reply
      4. Noelle

        July 01, 2019 at 9:22 pm

        5 stars
        This was a great pesto flavor! Loved everything about this, can't wait to make again

        Reply
      5. Suzy

        July 01, 2019 at 8:22 pm

        5 stars
        Simple and easy meals like this are the best! Loved the flavor and how easy it was to make@

        Reply
      6. Rocky Mountain Woman

        June 20, 2019 at 2:36 pm

        5 stars
        I am trying to "become one with the fire" this summer! My goal for the summer is to learn how to cook over coals.

        This is a lovely recipe! Thanks for sharing it.

        Reply
      7. Shirley

        September 11, 2014 at 10:47 am

        when the cold weather hits here ( Montreal) , how long would you cook this in the oven? Great flavours! Thank you!

        Reply
      8. Cassie Sue

        May 30, 2014 at 1:51 pm

        5 stars
        I made this last night and it was fantastic! And it really couldn't be any easier. Even my husband who swore that "Pesto is not his favorite" thought it was delicious. I did add a little red pepper flakes to the salmon, and topped it with some parmesan cheese when it came out of the oven (to woo the hubby) but those items really were not needed. I served it alongside some mashed potatoes.

        I will be making it again in the future. Thanks!

        Reply
      9. Donna

        May 29, 2014 at 4:27 pm

        Just added to my grilling Must Try list!

        Reply
      10. Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living

        May 29, 2014 at 5:36 am

        Love how easy and delicious this sounds Dara - grilling fish is one of my favorites during the summer. Love that tip to test doneness.

        Reply
      11. Stephanie Weaver, The Recipe Renovator

        May 28, 2014 at 4:53 pm

        Great recipe and great tip for testing it! I'll have to figure out a pesto sub so I can make this (can't do parmesan or nuts these days, but will think of something).

        Reply
      12. Margaret

        May 28, 2014 at 8:54 am

        I just bought some salmon and was wondering about how to cook it. Get tired of same ol' salmon. Thanks for this one. It is my supper tonite. Looks wonderful.

        Reply
      13. Crystal | Apples & Sparkle

        May 27, 2014 at 11:43 pm

        Gorgeous salmon! I love the flavors and the ease of the dish! : )

        Reply
      14. cheri

        May 27, 2014 at 9:39 pm

        Hi Dara, your amazing, I am so afraid of our grill, good for you. Love salmon, this sounds delicious!

        Reply
      15. Carol at Wild Goose Tea

        May 27, 2014 at 1:56 pm

        Great tip for testing salmon. Sooooooooooo often salmon/ fish is overcooked.
        Such a shame too. This is definitely quick and easy and keeps the grill clean too.
        Funny about you taking over the grill. 🙂

        Reply
      16. Olivia

        May 27, 2014 at 1:25 pm

        I definitely must try this recipe in the summer. Here in Canada I always find the best wild salmon. My husband and I always have it for dinner. Thanks for sharing 😉

        Reply
      17. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl

        May 27, 2014 at 1:17 pm

        I love your tip for testing salmon on the grill!!!! Can I please come help you eat this?

        Reply
      18. Kelly

        May 27, 2014 at 11:33 am

        It's only 10:30am and my stomach is now grumbling for lunch! This salmon looks amazing!! Seriously wish I had some right now !

        Reply

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