• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Cook
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Easy Weeknight
    • Weekend Feasting
  • Drink
    • Cocktails
    • Wine
    • No Booze Drinks
  • Party
    • Fancy Sweets
    • Party Food

Slow The Cook Down logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Cook
    • Easy Weeknight
    • Weekend Feasting
    • Breakfast and Brunch
  • Party
    • Party Food
    • Fancy Sweets
  • Drink
    • Cocktails
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Cook » Easy Weeknight » Salmon Baked in Foil with Pesto

    February 16, 2019

    Salmon Baked in Foil with Pesto

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Pinterest image. Close up of baked salmon with text overlay.

    Last Updated on November 17, 2019 by Slow The Cook Down

    Salmon Baked in Foil is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner. This foil packet meal is keto friendly and super quick to make with basic ingredients. No excuses - get in the kitchen! Be sure to check out the how to video to see how easy it is!

    Close up of Salmon Baked in Foil on a white plate

    It's so easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to weeknight meals - grab something out of the freezer, a ready meal from the super store or, lets face it, order in. Trust me, I get it!  When we lived in London, by the time we had tackled the daily commute, often after a long day, the last thing either of us wanted to do was cook, but since we moved, I've made it my mission that in the week, I cook from scratch and I cook healthy.

    Add this easy and quick fish dinner on to your weekly menu, not only will you save time and get some goodness in, you'll also save on the washing up!

    Salmon Baked in Foil with Vegetables

    The beauty of this quick and easy weeknight meal is that it's a great way to use up whatever veggies you have in.  I used broccoli and tomatoes in one packet, and a red bell pepper in another.  Green beans or asparagus would also work really well.

    Meal on foil before being cooked

    Why bake salmon in foil?

    By wrapping salmon (or any fish for that matter) in foil, you are essentially steaming it. It means you get a a nice even cook and it also means that there's very little clean up to do  - who needs that on a weeknight?! It's a great way to cook your veggies as well, and not overcook them so you keep all those nutrients in. When you wrap, don't wrap it too tight so you give some room for the air to circulate.

    How long to cook salmon in foil?

    The most important part of cooking fish is that you don't over cook it - it's just not nice! Like meat, it does depend on the thickness of your fillet - smaller / thinner fillets will need around 12 - 15 minutes where as thicker cuts will need around 20.  If you are unsure, just peel back the foil and have a peek in to check.

    Top down shot of baked salmon on tin foil

    How to make Salmon Baked in Foil with Pesto

    If you can spare 5 minutes in the kitchen, then you can make this easy foil packed meal with everyday ingredients. Cut your veggies, add a little olive oil, salt and pepper and lemon juice.  Season your salmon fillet with salt, pepper and more lemon juice, mix together some cream cheese and pesto and spread over the top of the salmon.  Wrap it all together to make a foil parcel and then in the oven.  Seriously it's that easy - no excuses!

    If you are on the look out for more quick and easy dinners to add to your meal rotation, be sure to check these recipes out:

    Marinated Beef Stir Fry with Rainbow Vegetables

    Chickpea & Spinach Curry with Coconut Milk

    Shrimp and Rice Bowls with Lemon and Tarragon

    Green Lentil Daal - An Easy Weeknight Meal

    Stuffed Chicken One Sheet Meal

    close up top down shot of meal on tin foil

    Salmon baked in foil with pesto

    Salmon Baked in Foil is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner. This foil packet meal is keto friendly and super quick to make with basic ingredients. No excuses - get in the kitchen!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 543kcal
    Author: Slow The Cook Down

    Ingredients

    • 1 head broccoli cut into florets or any other veggies you have
    • 1 tsp olive oil
    • salt and pepper
    • juice of half a lemon
    • 1 salmon fillet
    • salt and pepper
    • juice of half a lemon
    • 2 tbsp soft cheese like Philadelphia
    • 1 tbsp green pesto jarred or homemade
    • 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
    • 2 lemon slices cut in half
    • 2 garlic cloves

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180ºc / 355ºf
    • Place a couple of sheets of tin foil on top of each other on a work surface, then lay on the veggies.  Add the olive oil, juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt an pepper.  Mix with your hands so the veggies are coated.
    • Lay the salmon fillet next to the veggies, and add a pinch of salt and pepper and juice of half a lemon.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and pesto, and spread on top of the salmon. Press the pumpkin seeds on top of the cream cheese mixture to form a crust.
    • Add slices of lemon and garlic cloves to the package.
    • Wrap the foil around the salmon and veggies - not too tightly, you want the air to circulate, but make sure there are no gaps.  
    • Put in the oven for 15 minutes for a smaller fillet, 20 for a thick fillet.
    • Serve immediately

    Video

    Notes

    Recipe is easily doubled.
    Nutritional value based on 1 serving

    Nutrition

    Calories: 543kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 1019mg | Potassium: 2173mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 4480IU | Vitamin C: 574.9mg | Calcium: 349mg | Iron: 6.4mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @SlowTheCookDown or tag #SlowTheCookDown!
    « Loaded Sweet Potato Dauphinoise
    Popcorn to Make Movie Night Special »
    130 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard
    Banner showing publications Slow The Cook Down has been featured in

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Betty Davies

    Slow The Cook Down is all about taking life down a notch - stopping to enjoy the smell from the roast chicken you just pulled from the oven. Here, there's no reason to hurry or stress; dinner will get done, and it will be delicious! Pour a glass of wine and settle in to try something new.

    More about me →

    Follow Us

    Featured Recipes

    • Blue Cheese Pasta Sauce (Gorgonzola and Walnut Pasta)
    • Bison Meatballs
    • Air Fryer Tuna Steaks
    • Breaded Crispy Tofu Recipe
    • Creamy Celery and Carrot Soup
    • BLT Chicken Avocado Salad

    Get Side Dish Recipes

    Logo for website 'Bite On The Side'

    Featured In

    Publications where Slow The Cook Down has been featured

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • About Betty

    Keep in Touch

    • Sign up for updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    The Website uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising on the Website. Mediavine serves content and advertisements when you visit the Website, which may use cookies. Mediavine may collect IP addresses and location to serve personalized ads. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices to opt-in or opt-out of this data collection, please visit http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp.

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.