How to Cook Costco Salmon with Pesto Butter? [Recipe]
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Costco’s Salmon Milano With Pesto Butter is my special occasion dish. Whether I’m making a romantic or a fancy celebration dinner, it’s a truly amazing centerpiece on my table. My favorite way to cook it is to use the oven to bake this delicious salmon with vibrant basil pesto butter. The savory garlic and herb-infused butter melts into the hot fish, creating a flavor explosion with every bite!
Come along as I show you step-by-step how to cook Costco salmon with pesto butter. Your taste buds will thank me later!
Cooking Instructions for Costco Salmon with Pesto Butter
The flaky salmon, garlicky pesto, and creamy butter combination is simply irresistible. Still, as I always do, I added a special flair to skyrocket the flavors! Feel free to get creative with the recipe by adding your own twist, like sun-dried tomatoes, capers, or lemon zest — as long as you stick to what goes great with salmon, you really cannot miss!
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
To make this delicious salmon, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. First, of course, you’ll need a package of Costco Salmon Milano With Basil Pesto Butter. After you get your salmon, you’re going to need some mustard seeds — I use the yellow ones, but you can use different options, depending on the flavors you like.
In addition to these two, you’ll want lemon juice, salt and pepper, olive oil for drizzling, and grated Parmesan cheese for garnish.
Step 2: Preparing the Salmon and Preheating the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Now, you can either use the container in which the salmon came or line a baking sheet with foil and place the salmon skin-side down. If you opt for the first option, make sure you remove the plastic lid.
Next, season the salmon with mustard seeds, salt, and pepper — you don’t really have to do this, but I just add a little to make the flavors pop. Sprinkle the salmon with some lemon or lime juice, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Step 3: Preparing the Salmon Milano With Pesto Butter
Bake the salmon in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
While the salmon is baking, quickly steam some veggies like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus to serve on the side. A simple salad works great, too.
While the salmon bakes, the pesto butter will melt into a vibrant green sauce. I usually baste the salmon with this flavorful butter a couple of times during cooking using a spoon. The butter adds more flavor to the fish and helps keep it moist.
To check if the salmon is done, gently poke at the thickest part of the filet with a fork. The fish is ready when it flakes easily and is opaque and milky white in the center. Be careful not to overbake the salmon, or it can become dry.
Once the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and rest for 5 minutes. Then serve and enjoy your delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home! The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C).
What to Serve with Salmon with Pesto Butter?
Now for the best part – eating your delicious Costco salmon with pesto butter! This hearty, flavorful meal deserves an equally satisfying side dish. Here are some of my favorite options:
Roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper is a perfect complement to the richness of the salmon and pesto. Spread the veggies on a baking sheet and roast at 400 °F (200 °C) until tender and caramelized — about 15-20 minutes.
Then, a simple side of rice, like jasmine or basmati, or protein-packed quinoa lets the salmon be the star of the plate while providing a neutral, filling base. Cook the rice or quinoa according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and season with salt to taste.
You can also combine it with some pesto pasta — like truly calls to like in this case!
For a lighter option, toss together a green salad with crunchy veggies like cucumbers and radishes, chickpeas, or beans for protein and a bright vinaigrette. A salad provides a fresh contrast to the warm salmon.
Lastly, bread. Thick slices of crusty bread are ideal for sopping up the flavorful pesto butter sauce. Ciabatta, baguette or focaccia all work great. I like to first warm the bread and then serve it alongside the salmon.
A meal this special deserves to be enjoyed with friends or loved ones. Serve your Costco salmon with pesto butter with a crisp white wine or rosé and dig in!
Recipe Variations
Once you’ve cooked the salmon, you can mix up the pesto butter! I like to make a few variations, so I don’t get bored. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the dish before you put it into the oven. The tangy, intense flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes pairs perfectly with the rich pesto and butter. Spread it on thick!
- Mix together the zest of 1 lemon and 2 minced garlic cloves, and mix it into the sauce in the middle of the baking process. The bright lemon zest lightens up the pesto, and the garlic adds a kick. This variation is delicious on fish, shrimp, chicken, or vegetables.
- For some heat, stir in 1 seeded and minced jalapeño or serrano pepper to 1/2 cup pesto and 1/4 cup softened butter. Start with half the pepper and add more to taste. The spicy chili pepper gives the rich butter a welcome punch of heat. Serve the chili pesto butter on the side for those who want to turn up the heat!
- Nothing beats the smoky, salty flavor of bacon. Cook 6 strips of bacon, crumble, and add to the sauce mid-baking. The bacon pesto butter is hearty and satisfying. Use it to top baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, or bread in addition to fish or chicken.
The possibilities are endless! You can also add parsley, basil, mint, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions. Get creative and make your own custom pesto butter sauce.
How to Store Leftovers and Reheat Them?
The pesto salmon was a hit, and you have leftovers – score! Here’s how I like to store and reheat the leftovers.
After dinner, I let the salmon cool slightly, then portion it into meal-sized servings in airtight containers or ziplock bags. I make sure to scrape off any pesto that’s stuck to the skin and include it with the portions. Seal everything up and refrigerate within 2 hours.
In the fridge, the salmon will last up to 3 days. When ready to eat again, here are a few ways I like to reheat it:
• Microwave: This is the quickest method. Place a salmon portion on a microwave-safe plate and reheat in 30-second bursts, checking in between, until it’s warmed through. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 °F (63 °C).
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Place the salmon portions on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil and reheat for about 10-15 minutes until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 °F (63 °C).
• Pan-sear: Heat some olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon portions skin-side down and sear until the skin is crispy about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip and sear the other side just until warmed through, about 1 minute more.
• Broiler: Place the salmon portions on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil 4-6 inches from the heating element for 3-5 minutes, watching closely until the salmon is warmed through. Keep a close eye on the broiler, as it can quickly overcook the fish.
What will you combine with your Costco salmon Milano? I would love to read your ideas in the comments below!
Costco Salmon With Basil Pesto Butter
Ingredients
- 1 pack Costco Salmon Milano With Basil Pesto Butter (mine had 1.75 lbs)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Yellow Mustard Seeds
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Now, you can either use the container in which the salmon came or line a baking sheet with foil and place the salmon skin-side down. If you opt for the first option, make sure you remove the plastic lid.
- Next, season the salmon with mustard seeds, salt, and pepper — don't go overboard with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the salmon with the lemon juice, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the salmon in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- While the salmon bakes, the pesto butter will melt into a vibrant green sauce. Baste the salmon with this flavorful butter a couple of times during cooking using a spoon.
- To check if the salmon is done, gently poke at the thickest part of the filet with a fork. The fish is ready when it flakes easily and is opaque and milky white in the center or when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C).
- Once the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and rest for 5 minutes. Then serve and enjoy your delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home!
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
