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
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.
And the leftovers? Amazing on a pizza! That was my husband's brilliant idea.
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.
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.
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}
Easy Grilled Pesto Salmon in Foil Recipe
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
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
Nutrition
This recipes was originally published on May 27, 2014, and was updated on June 20, 2019.
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.
Frances
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.
Ashley Judd
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 .
Ashley Judd
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!
Noelle
This was a great pesto flavor! Loved everything about this, can't wait to make again
Suzy
Simple and easy meals like this are the best! Loved the flavor and how easy it was to make@
Rocky Mountain Woman
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.
Shirley
when the cold weather hits here ( Montreal) , how long would you cook this in the oven? Great flavours! Thank you!
Cassie Sue
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!
Donna
Just added to my grilling Must Try list!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
Love how easy and delicious this sounds Dara - grilling fish is one of my favorites during the summer. Love that tip to test doneness.
Stephanie Weaver, The Recipe Renovator
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).
Margaret
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.
Crystal | Apples & Sparkle
Gorgeous salmon! I love the flavors and the ease of the dish! : )
cheri
Hi Dara, your amazing, I am so afraid of our grill, good for you. Love salmon, this sounds delicious!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
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. 🙂
Olivia
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 😉
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I love your tip for testing salmon on the grill!!!! Can I please come help you eat this?
Kelly
It's only 10:30am and my stomach is now grumbling for lunch! This salmon looks amazing!! Seriously wish I had some right now !