Pistachio Crusted Salmon

Pistachio Crusted Salmon is the perfect easy oven-baked salmon recipe that's made special with a gorgeous crust of nutty pistachios and parmesan.  Made in just 20 minutes, this healthy fish dinner is simple enough for a weekday dinner but fancy enough for your next dinner party!  Serve it with any of my 25+ Healthy Side Dishes for Salmon. 

Love salmon? Try any of my 18 Healthy & Delicious Easy Salmon Recipes.

Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe

Pistachio Crusted Salmon is a unique, tasty, and simple way to prepare salmon that's sure to win you over.  This recipe looks and tastes gourmet, but the entire recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes and is healthy too.  If you are tired of eating salmon the same way, you have to try this unique twist on salmon.

I love pistachios!  They have such a yummy and unique taste and make the perfect salty topping for fish.  My Pistachio Salmon also has parmesan, plus a touch of panko in the topping.  Tangy and simple Dijon mustard holds it all together, keeping the buttery salmon moist, without adding oil or butter to the fish.  The finished fish is still light, flavorful and so tasty.

This is the kind of dinner that plays equally well for a weeknight meal or your next dinner party.  It's simply Pistachio crusted Salmon perfection!

Why You'll Love this Pistachio Crusted Salmon Recipe...

• This Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe is made with 6 ingredients and just 20 minutes from start to finish.
• The pistachio-crusted topping acts as a barrier to keep the salmon moist, without adding olive oil or butter to the recipe.
• It's so good... a total crowd-pleaser.
• It's made in the oven, so there's minimal clean-up if you line your baking pan with foil.
• It's a great upgrade from plain baked salmon, but still is simple to prepare.
• It's healthy and good for you!  Salmon is rich in healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
• You can easily make it keto and gluten-free too.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.

• Salmon Fillets: You'll need four salmon filets that are around 5-6 ounces each. Your fish will need to be thawed out and patting it dry with a paper towel before preparing the recipe.
• Lemon: I use fresh lemon to bring out the flavors in the fish.
• Dijon Mustard or Stone Ground Mustard: Use your favorite mustard including Dijon or Stone Ground mustard to create the "glue" that the pistachio crust sticks to.
• Pistachios: You'll need roasted, salted, and shelled pistachios.  Some stores like ALDI or Trader Joe's sell shelled pistachios, which works great for this pistachio-crusted salmon recipe.  To prepare the pistachios, crush them into small pieces.  I like to put them in a plastic bag and crush them with the back of a measuring cup, the back of a spoon, or mallet. You want them in smaller pieces, but not completely processed into a powder.  If you can't find the shelled ones, you'll just need to spend a few minutes shelling the pistachios before you start cooking. I would not recommend putting the pistachios in a food processor or you will just get a powder.
• Parmesan Cheese: I like to add even more flavor to the pistachio crust, by adding some parmesan cheese.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko Breadcrumbs are the last ingredient for the crunchy crust.  To make this gluten-free or keto, just use extra parmesan cheese.
• Salt & Pepper
• Optional Garnish: parsley or fresh herbs

Salmon Buying Tips

• Unless you live near the coast, often the fish at your regular grocery store seafood counter has most likely just been thawed from frozen anyway.  If you want fresh make sure to look for a label that says fresh never frozen.
• When buying fresh fish, check that the salmon you buy has a vibrant color with no brown spots or fishy smell.  Also, avoid salmon that appears to be dried out, and has brown spots or bruising.  The fish should be brightly colored and not smell.
• Don't be afraid of buying frozen fish, it might be your best option!  Frozen fish is a great way to stock your freezer because most fish these days if frozen shortly after catching them anyway.  It's a great way to eat more fish.

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions to make this Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray.  For easy cleanup, line the baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
2. Squeeze the lemon juice over both sides of the salmon and salt and pepper on both sides of the fish.
3. Evenly spread one teaspoon of mustard on the top of each piece of fish.
4. In a small bowl, combine the crushed pistachios, panko, and parmesan and pour on a shallow plate large enough to dip the fish in.
5. Put the fish mustard side down into the pistachio mixture and press firmly to get the crust to stick. Make sure to get all of the corners. Sprinkle any additional topping on top of the fish so the top of the salmon is covered.
6. Turn the fish back over and place it into the foil-lined baking pan.
7. Put in the oven for and bake 10-12 minutes or just until the fish flakes and turns opaque.

Tips for Cooking Salmon

• It's easy to overcook salmon, so watch it. Salmon cooks quickly and often only needs 8-12 minutes to cook depending on the thickness of the fish.
• Salmon will be done when it turns opaque and just starts to flake with a fork.
• If you are having trouble, use a meat thermometer.   A medium piece of salmon will be done from 125 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer, which is what I cook my salmon too.   I should note that the USDA says to cook salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, but that will be a very well-done and dry piece of salmon.
• You can serve salmon rare or well done according to personal preference.

Variations

I love this pistachio-crusted salmon recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Make it Keto: To make it keto, leave out the panko and substitute more parmesan.
• Make it Gluten Free: To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
• Make it Dairy Free: To make it dairy-free substitute more panko for the parmesan cheese.
• Make it Sweeter: For a sweeter twist of the topping, add a touch of honey to the mustard before spreading it onto the salmon.
• Mix up the Nuts: This is a great base recipe to make other nut-encrusted fish.  You can do the same with almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, or even cashews, for a tasty twist on salmon night.
• Mix up the Fish: You can prepare other fish in this same way like cod, halibut, mahi mahi, or even grouper.

FAQ

How many calories are in pistachio crusted salmon?

My version of pistachio crusted salmon has just 270 calories for a generous portion of salmon.  It's a great healthy dinner with healthy fats and protein from the fish.

What to serve with crusted salmon?

Crusted salmon goes great with rice, green beans, asparagus, and even roasted potatoes.  I like pairing my fish with veggies and a starch like a potato or rice.

What are the best side dishes to go with salmon?

Salmon is such a versatile protein that so many side dishes go well with it!  Make sure to try my 25+ Healthy Side Dishes for Salmon to find your favorite pairing for this Pistachio Crusted Salmon.

Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe is Tasty & Healthy!

This Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe makes the perfect tasty and healthy dinner. Serve with a simple side and you have a meal quick enough for a weeknight dinner, but fancy enough for a dinner party!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

Make it a Meal:

• Roasted Green Beans with Garlic
• Herb & Garlic Baby Roasted Red Potatoes
• Cheesy Asparagus Casserole
• Roasted Asparagus
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
• Oven Roasted Broccoli and Mushrooms
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Chopped Kale Salad

More Healthy Baked Salmon Recipes:

• Oven Baked Salmon with Rosemary
• Baked Blackened Salmon
• Parmesan Panko Salmon
• Everything Bagel Salmon
• Lemon Pesto Salmon

Plus, try any of my 18 Healthy & Delicious Easy Salmon Recipes.

If you make this Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipee, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Pistachio Crusted Salmon

Julie Wunder

Pistachio Crusted Salmon is the perfect easy oven-baked salmon recipe that's made special with a gorgeous crust of nutty pistachios and parmesan.  Made in just 20 minutes, this healthy fish dinner is simple enough for a weekday dinner but fancy enough for your next dinner party!  Serve it with any of my 25+ Healthy Side Dishes for Salmon. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 273 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 pieces salmon fillets, about 6 ounces
• 1 lemon
• 4 teaspoons dijon mustard or stone ground mustard
• ¼ salted pistachios, crushed
• ¼ cup panko
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
• ¼ teaspoon salt & pepper
• Cooking Spray

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Spray a baking pan with cooking spray.
• Squeeze the lemon juice over both sides of the salmon and salt and pepper both sides of the fish.
• Evenly spread one teaspoon of mustard on the top of each piece of fish.
  
• Combine the crushed pistachios, panko and parmesan and pour on a shallow plate large enough to dip the fish in.
• Put the fish mustard side down into the pistachio mixture and press firmly to get the crust to stick. Make sure to get al of the corners. Sprinkle any additional topping on top of the fish.
  
• Turn the fish back over and place in the baking pan.
• Put in the salmon oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or just until the fish flakes.
  

Notes

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.  You can reheat the fish in the oven at 300 degrees or air fryer for 5-10 minutes.  You can also reheat it in the microwave for 20-second increments.

 

Freezing

I would not recommend freezing the Pistachio Salmon because the texture of the fish would not come out nicely.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 35gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 324mgPotassium: 888mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 89IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Pistachio Crusted Salmon, Pistachio Salmon

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