Pistachio Crusted Salmon

Crusted pistachio salmon is a dish that feels a little fancier, but you’ll be surprised at just how simple it is to make. This baked salmon is a great dish for a special occasion but is easy and delicious for any weeknight.

 

Why We Love Pistachio Crusted Salmon

• Quick To Make – Salmon is pretty fast to make, and this dinner can be made in under 30 minutes. You’ll love how fast this recipe comes together.
• Crunchy Coating – Adding a bit of crunch to salmon is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it, and this crusted pistachio salmon is packed full of flavor on top of the melt-in-your mouth fish.
• Great For A Fancier Dinner – This recipe is perfect for when you want to create a dinner that feels a little extra special, have company, or just want to impress at the table. No one will know how simple it was to make.

Fish and seafood hasn’t come easily to my kid at the table. The crunchy coating is how I convinced my kid to try this dish, and slowly as I serve fish a little more often she is coming around to enjoying it.

Ingredients For Crusted Pistachio Salmon

• 12 ounces salmon fillets
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard – yellow mustard can not be swapped for Dijon mustard in this recipe, the flavor will not be the same
• ⅛ cup pistachios chopped, unsalted
• 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese grated, you can use pre-grated parmesan cheese for this recipe but freshly grated will have more flavor
• 1 tablespoon butter melted
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 clove garlic minced, 1 clove equals 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

How To Make This Crusted Pistachio Salmon Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If using aluminum foil spray the foil lightly with a spray cooking oil.
2. Dry the salmon filets well between paper towels Place the salmon on the lined baking sheet. If your salmon has skin, place salmon skin side down.
3. With a silicone brush or a butter knife, spread Dijon mustard evenly over the salmon filets.

4. On a cutting board with a sharp knife roughly chop the pistachios and set to the side. Grate the parmesan cheese into a small bowl and set to the side. Peel and mince the garlic close and set to the side.

5. In a small bowl add chopped pistachios, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, butter, lemon juice, honey, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix everything well until the ingredients are combined.

6. With your hands gently pack the pistachio mixture on top of the salmon filets. Pack this mixture generously as this will become the crunchy crust topping to the salmon.

7. Bake the salmon for 10-12 minutes or until the fish easily flakes when gently pulled with a fork. A meat thermometer it should be at an internal temperature of about 145° F when ready. Serve and enjoy!

Pistachio Crusted Salmon Recipe Variation Ideas

Can I Use One Large Piece Of Salmon?

Yes you can use one large piece of salmon or several smaller salmon filets for this recipe. A larger piece of salmon is easier to add the crust mixture to or a 2 or 3 serving piece of salmon. It’s much trickier to add the crust to smaller single-serve pieces of salmon.

What Are Pin Bones In Salmon?

Pin bones are long white needle-like pieces that are sometimes found in a salmon filet. We call them pin bones, but they are technically nerve endings for the fish. They look fairly flexible, but the long white needle like pieces can be quite tough.

Many salmon filets come prepared from the store or market with the pin bones already removed.

How Do I Remove Pin Bones From My Salmon Filets?

If the salmon has pin bones (small white bones along the filet) you can learn how to remove pin bones from salmon here.

Do I Have To Remove Pin Bones From Salmon Filets?

Pin bones can quickly become a choking hazard for children if not removed and should be removed.

Some people will say that adults can eat around pin bones safely.

I’ve been served salmon with pin bones before and did end up with one stuck in my throat momentarily, even though I ate around the pin bones as much as possible. If I’m honest, I have never returned to that restaurant and have no intentions of ever going back.

I will always remove pin bones in my own home if I accidentally purchase salmon with pin bones. Mostly I look while in the store that the pin bones have been removed before I purchase the salmon.

Can You Freeze Leftover Salmon?

Yes you can freeze leftover salmon. I recommend letting the salmon cool completely. Then store the fish in a closed freezer-safe container or freezer zip-top bag. I like to also wrap the salmon pieces in freezer paper if I can before placing it in the bag or container to help protect it from freezer burn.

Expect frozen salmon to last for about 2-3 months. You can reheat the salmon in the air fryer, toaster oven or oven for at 350 degrees so that the pistachio crust is crunchy and the inside is warm.

How Long Will This Salmon Dish Last?

Expect this crusted pistachio salmon to last for about three days if stored in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator.