Confit Salmon Tahini Pistachio Crust (Printable)

Tender salmon, gently confited in olive oil, finished with a bright, herbaceous tahini and pistachio topping. A delightful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 5 oz each), skinless and pin-boned
02 - 2 cups olive oil (for confit)
03 - 1 lemon, zest only
04 - 1 tsp sea salt
05 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Tahini-Pistachio Crust

06 - 2 oz shelled pistachios, finely chopped
07 - 3 tbsp tahini
08 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
10 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 1 tsp honey
14 - ½ tsp ground cumin
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

16 - Lemon wedges
17 - Extra chopped herbs
18 - Drizzle of olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 210°F.
02 - Place salmon fillets in a small ovenproof dish so they fit snugly. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
03 - Pour olive oil over salmon until mostly submerged. Gently transfer to oven and confit for 25-30 minutes, until fish is just opaque and flakes easily.
04 - While salmon cooks, combine pistachios, tahini, garlic, parsley, dill, mint, lemon juice, honey, cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until you have a thick, spoonable paste.
05 - When salmon is done, carefully lift fillets from oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Let cool slightly.
06 - Spread a generous layer of tahini-pistachio mixture over the top of each fillet.
07 - Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with extra herbs, lemon wedges, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The salmon stays meltingly soft without any fear of overcooking, making it practically foolproof even for nervous cooks
  • That vibrant green crust looks like something from a restaurant but takes maybe five minutes to throw together
  • You can make the salmon ahead and serve it warm or at room temperature, which means zero stress when entertaining
02 -
  • The low oven temperature is non negotiable here, higher heat will cook the fish too quickly and you will lose that luxurious, melting texture
  • Letting the salmon rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oil helps it hold together better when you spread the crust on top
03 -
  • Pat the salmon fillets completely dry before seasoning them, excess water can interfere with the confit process and make the oil spatter
  • Taste your tahini crust before applying it, tahini brands vary wildly in bitterness and you may need more honey or lemon to balance it
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