Walnut Crusted Salmon

The aroma of this moist oven-baked walnut crusted salmon is irresistible. This easy-baked keto recipe has a sweet-sour flavor with a hint of mint aroma. Put together with a few simple ingredients, ready to serve hot and sizzling in less than an hour.

It is exciting to write this week’s blog post while salmon is baking in the oven. And I know today’s dinner is a win since my family loves this simple healthy dish made with walnuts. We, as a family, are huge fans of seafood and nuts. And I have made this dish countless times year-round.

This easy-baked fish recipe has the best buttery and tangy flavor from walnut and pomegranate molasses, and it is a one-sheet pan dinner recipe. So another win for the mom!

Components of the dish

Salmon and walnuts are the main components of the dish. However, you can easily substitute them with other fish fillets and nuts.

Onion and garlic complement the dish and add bulk and flavor to it, and a hint of dry mint brings out more aroma without much effort.

Pomegranate molasse adds color and a sour-sweet flavor to the dish.

Find the complete substitute for the baked salmon recipe below in the post! Be inspired by the recipe, and feel free to add your twist to the dish!

• Want more simple, delicious, nutritious walnut recipes? Check out my Creamy walnut chicken recipe
• Want more salmon recipes? Check out the trending Easy old fashioned salmon patties

Ingredients

• Salmon. With or without skin.
• Walnut. Use halves walnuts for the best result.
• Onion. Adds flavor and bulk.
• Garlic. Adds flavor.
• Dry mint. Otherwise, use less fresh mint.
• Pomegranate molasses. Or substitutes.
• Salt & pepper as needed.
• Oil as needed.

How to make walnut crusted salmon

Follow my step by step instructions to see how to make walnut crusted salmon. A delicious homemade recipe everybody loves.

Preheat the oven to 400 °F.

In a food processor, grind walnuts and add onion, garlic, and dry mint. Grind them all until puree consistency forms.

Then, transfer the paste into a bowl and add salt and pepper as needed.

Next, add pomegranate molasses and mix them all.

Optional, prepare the salmon fillet by cutting it into individual serving sizes. I cut mine into three pieces and need to separate the pieces.

Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper to taste.

Grease a sheet pan with oil and transfer the salmon to it. I used avocado oil and baked it on a cast-iron sheet pan.

At this point, taste the walnut paste and adjust for seasoning. If you would like it sweet, add some honey.

Spread an even thick layer of walnut paste over the salmon fillet.

Bake salmon uncovered on a middle rack for 45 minutes or until golden brown crust forms on top and bottom.

Serve it with your favorite side dishes, and ENJOY!

Notes

• Walnut tends to burn fast, so watch it closely at the end of cooking.
• Depending on how thick the salmon fillet is, adjust for baking time.
• Shorten the baking time if you want a less crusty texture.
• I used a 15.5 x 10.5-inch cast-iron sheet pan.

Tips

• Fresh or well-thawed salmon works best in this recipe.
• Use half walnuts and grind them in a food processor. Half walnuts taste better and are fresh.
• Use white onion. It has more water content and purees easily.
• Dried herbs are stronger than fresh herbs, so use less.
• Taste the walnut paste and adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add honey as needed.
• Walnut burns easily. Watch it closely at the end of cooking.
• Use cast-iron cookware. Salmon fillet sears well on a cast iron and crisps up better.

Substitutes

• Substitute salmon with tilapia, trout, or other fish you like and adjust for a baking time depending on how thick or thin fish fillet cuts are. Fish with skin takes longer to bake.
• Substitute walnuts with pecan, cashew, or other nuts. Suppose you are allergic to nuts; substitute nuts with sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds, and make sure to grind the seeds well.
• Substitute pomegranate molasses with pomegranate juice, lemon/lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and cranberry juice. Always taste the walnut paste to adjust to your taste, and add honey if needed.
• Substitute fresh onion and garlic with onion powder and garlic powder if needed.
• Substitute dry mint with other dry herbs such as parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme, dill, or a mix of herbs. Or use fresh herbs instead when they are in season this spring and summer.

EQUIPMENT

I used this 15.5 x 10.5-inch cast-iron sheet pan (Affiliate link). Everything tastes extra delicious when cooked in cast iron cookware.

Storage and reheat

Store the leftover keto walnut-crusted salmon in an airtight container for 3 days and reheat them in the oven or microwave.

How to serve walnut-crusted salmon

• Sauteed vegetables are a great side dish; I served it with freshly chopped vegetables: cucumber, sweet peppers, and tomato. A seasonal spring salad is another choice.
• Serve it with rice, quinoa, or bread. Learn to make my Easy sourdough discard naans or Easy sourdough discard flatbread.

Salmon cooking methods

You can bake or grill salmon fillet on aluminum foil, so there will be no dishes to clean later!

Baked salmon

• The easiest way to cook salmon is to preheat the oven to 400 °F. Season the fillet with salt and pepper and bake. The baking time depends on how thick or thin the slice of the salmon fillet is. Salmon with skin takes longer to bake. The easy way to know if any type of food is ready in the oven is when you can smell the finished dish’s aroma far from the kitchen. But you can always look inside the oven and see if the salmon fillet is moist and golden brown on the edge and top. Also, when the salmon fillet is cooked, it easily breaks with a fork! Check out my recipe on how to make frozen salmon in the oven.

Grilled salmon

• For grilling salmon inside the oven, turn on the broil on high when ready to grill. Remove the salmon skin (otherwise, it creates smoke inside the oven) and season it with salt, pepper, avocado oil, or another marinara. Place it on a sheet pan and grill it close to flame on the second rack for about 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet, or until golden brown on top and bottom. Cooked salmon easily breaks with a fork.

• For grilling salmon outside, no need to remove the skin. Season it with salt, pepper, avocado oil, or another marinara you would like. Place it on a hot grill, close the lid, and cook it for about 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet, or until golden brown on top and bottom. Cooked salmon easily breaks with a fork.

Pan-seared salmon

• Unless you use a nonstick pan, heat your cast iron skillet well on the stovetop, add oil, and place the seasoned salmon fillet on it; let one side sear well before turning it over. If the salmon fillet is thick, finish cooking it in a preheated oven at 400 °F for about 5 minutes. Cooked salmon easily breaks with a fork.

Salmon soup

• Remove salmon skin and cut them into small pieces. Add them to your favorite soup recipe for a protein boost at the end of cooking. Cooked salmon easily breaks with a fork. Add them to my simple Vegetarian broccoli cheddar soup or gluten-free potato soup.

The exact instructions are valid for other types of fish fillets with or without skin.

What did you substitute? How did your family and kids like it? Let me know in the comment below your favorite combination. I’d love to hear from you!

• Want more simple, delicious, nutritious walnut recipes? Check out my Creamy walnut chicken recipe.
• Want more salmon recipes? Check out the trending Easy old-fashioned salmon patties.

Pin it for later

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