BBQ Pistachio Crusted Salmon
BBQ pistachio crusted salmon combines the delicious smokey and sweet flavor of bbq sauce with salty & crunchy chopped pistachios. With only 5 minutes of prep time and under 20 minutes of cook time, this recipe is the ideal weeknight salmon dish to pair with potatoes, a salad or crunchy rice.
I opted for a store-bought bbq sauce for this recipe to keep things easy, combined with a homemade spice blend to add even more smokey flavor.
The sauce keeps the salmon tender and flakey, and the chopped pistachios on top add such a delicious crunch.
What you’ll need for this recipe:
- Skin-on or skinless salmon fillet
- Your favorite store-bough bbq sauce
- homemade spice blend with paprika, smoked paprika, salt & pepper
- pistachios, preferably roasted
- olive oil
How to make pistachio salmon
- Place the salmon onto a sheet-pan or in a baking dish and brush the fillets with your bbq sauce
- Mix the spice blend together and sprinkle it over the fish. The brushed sauce will help the spices stick to the fish
- Top the salmon your finely crushed pistachios and drizzle the fish with olive oil
- Bake on 400 F for 15-20 minutes, until fork tender. Bake time will always depending on the size and thickness of your fish
Tips & substitutions
Instead of bbq sauce
While I personally love the flavor combination of the smokey bbq sauce with the pistachios, this recipe can also be made with a teriyaki sauce or something similar
Swap the pistachios
For pistachio allergies or dislikes, walnuts or almonds would be a great second choice. Be sure to chop them well using a sharp knife, or by placing them in a ziplock and crushing them using a meat tenderizer.
I baked the salmon in my 2 1/4 qt petal braiser, which I love as an oven to table cooking dish. I love to serve it for dinner parties or lunches garnished with microgreens for a pop of color.
This recipe is the perfect weeknight salmon because it’s easy to make, so flavorful, and pairs well with endless types of side dishes. I know you guys are going to love it!
What to serve with BBQ Pistachio Crusted Salmon:
Muffin Tin Potato Stacks
Chipotle Pasta Salad
Chickpea Couscous Salad
BBQ Pistachio Crusted Salmon
Ingredients
- 1.2-1.5 lbs salmon
- 1/4 cup roasted, unsalted pistachios finely crushed
- 3 tbsp store-bought bbq sauce
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Olive oil
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F
- Place the salmon fillets onto a sheet-pan or baking dish, then brush the salmon with the bbq sauce
- Combine the spices together in a small bowl and season the salmon
- Chop the pistachios using a sharp knife or food processor, then coat the salmon fillets in the chopped nuts, pressing them down to help them stick
- Drizzle with olive oil and bake on the middle rack for 15-18 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the fish.
This worked exactly as written, thanks! Absolutely perfect for a weeknight dish or great for when you are entertaining
Thank you, Michelle!