Flavorful Feast: How to Cook Costco Pesto Salmon

Costco’s Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter is a refrigerated, ready-to-cook meal found in the prepared foods section near the deli. Each tray contains three large Atlantic salmon fillets topped with pesto butter and fresh dill.

This product works well for weeknight dinners when you need something quick. It also impresses guests without requiring much effort. Most packages weigh around 2 pounds and serve 3-4 people depending on portion size.

This guide covers three cooking methods: oven baking, air fryer, and broiling. Cook times range from 10-30 minutes depending on your chosen method and equipment.

Product Details

Product: Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter

Type: Fresh, raw, refrigerated (not frozen)

Package Size: Approximately 2 lbs (3 large fillets, serves 3-4)

Price: $10.49-$16.99 per lb at Costco (varies by location)

Storage: Refrigerate at 40 degrees F or below

Calories per Serving: 250 per 4 oz

Main Ingredients: Farm-raised Atlantic salmon, butter, basil pesto (basil, extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, salt), fresh dill

Item Number: 40254

Cooking Methods Comparison

Recommended Method: Oven baking for cooking the entire tray evenly with minimal effort.

Method 1: Oven (Recommended)

Oven baking is the method Costco recommends on the packaging. It produces evenly cooked, flaky salmon in about 25 minutes. You can cook all three fillets at once in the aluminum tray it comes in.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Salmon?

Remove the plastic lid from the aluminum tray. The salmon comes ready to bake with no additional prep required. The pesto butter balls sit on top of each fillet along with fresh dill.

Instructions:

1. Take the tray out of refrigerator 10-15 minutes before cooking
2. Remove the clear plastic lid and discard
3. Check that pesto butter portions are centered on each fillet

Equipment: Sheet pan (optional), aluminum foil for easy cleanup

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the tray on the middle rack and bake for 17-25 minutes. Thicker fillets need closer to 25 minutes while thinner pieces cook faster.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Place salmon tray on middle rack
3. Bake 17-25 minutes based on thickness

Temperature: 400 degrees F

Time: 17-25 minutes

Step 3: When Do You Check the Salmon?

Check the salmon at the 17-minute mark. The pesto butter should be melted and bubbling. If the fillets are thick, continue cooking in 2-minute intervals until done.

Instructions:

1. Check at 17 minutes for thinner fillets
2. Look for melted, bubbling pesto butter
3. Continue in 2-minute intervals if needed

Checkpoint: At 17-minute mark

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145 degrees F internally. The flesh should be opaque throughout with no translucent pink in the center.

Instructions:

1. Insert instant read thermometer into thickest part
2. Check that flesh flakes easily when pressed with fork
3. Let rest 2-3 minutes before serving

Target Temperature: 145 degrees F

Visual Indicator: Opaque flesh, melted pesto butter, light browning on edges

Method 2: Air Fryer

Air frying produces salmon with slightly crispy edges in less time than oven baking. This method works best for cooking one or two fillets at a time due to basket size limitations.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Salmon?

Transfer individual fillets from the tray to a cutting board. Keep the pesto butter and dill on top. You may need to cut large fillets in half to fit your air fryer basket.

Instructions:

1. Remove fillets individually from tray
2. Keep pesto butter portions on top of each fillet
3. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray

Equipment: Air fryer, cooking spray, tongs

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. Place salmon skin side down in the basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes depending on thickness.

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F
2. Place salmon skin side down in single layer
3. Cook 10-12 minutes

Temperature: 400 degrees F

Time: 10-12 minutes

Step 3: When Do You Check the Salmon?

Check at the 8-minute mark. The edges should be starting to turn golden. Some air fryers run hotter than others, so adjust timing based on your specific model.

Instructions:

1. Open basket at 8 minutes
2. Check for browning on edges
3. Continue cooking if center looks underdone

Checkpoint: At 8-minute mark

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

Done salmon flakes easily and has an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. The pesto butter should be fully melted and slightly browned on top.

Instructions:

1. Use instant read thermometer to verify 145 degrees F
2. Check that flesh is opaque throughout
3. Rest 1-2 minutes before serving

Target Temperature: 145 degrees F

Visual Indicator: Golden edges, bubbling butter, flaky texture

Method 3: Broiler

Broiling caramelizes the pesto butter on top and creates a slightly charred finish. This method requires close attention to prevent burning. Works well as a finishing step after partial oven baking.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Salmon?

Transfer salmon to a broiler-safe pan if using the whole tray. The original aluminum container works fine under the broiler. Position oven rack 6 inches below heating element.

Instructions:

1. Move oven rack to upper third position
2. Transfer salmon to broiler-safe pan if needed
3. Preheat broiler on high for 5 minutes

Equipment: Broiler pan or original tray, oven mitts

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Set broiler to high. For raw salmon, broil 8-12 minutes total. For partially baked salmon (finishing method), broil 2-3 minutes to caramelize the top.

Instructions:

1. Set broiler to high
2. Position salmon 6 inches from heat source
3. Broil 8-12 minutes (raw) or 2-3 minutes (finishing)

Temperature: High broiler setting

Time: 8-12 minutes (raw) or 2-3 minutes (finishing after baking)

Step 3: When Do You Check the Salmon?

Watch the salmon constantly during broiling. The pesto butter can go from golden to burnt quickly. Check every 2 minutes and rotate the pan if cooking unevenly.

Instructions:

1. Stay near the oven and monitor closely
2. Check every 2 minutes for browning
3. Rotate pan halfway if needed

Checkpoint: Every 2 minutes

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

The pesto butter will be bubbling and slightly caramelized. Internal temperature should read 145 degrees F. The top will have some light charring.

Instructions:

1. Check internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F
2. Look for bubbling, caramelized butter
3. Remove immediately when done to prevent drying

Target Temperature: 145 degrees F

Visual Indicator: Caramelized butter, light charring, opaque flesh

Safety and Quality Indicators

Food Safety

• Internal Temperature: 145 degrees F minimum
• Steam Check: Salmon should steam when cut open
• Thawing: Product is sold fresh, not frozen. If you freeze it, thaw completely in refrigerator before cooking

Quality Indicators (Done Properly)

• Color: Opaque pinkish-white throughout, no translucent areas
• Texture: Flakes easily with gentle fork pressure
• Temperature: Hot throughout, minimum 145 degrees F
• Appearance: Melted, slightly browned pesto butter on top

Signs of Overcooking

• White albumin (protein) oozing heavily from flesh
• Dry, tough texture that falls apart in chunks rather than flakes
• Burnt or blackened pesto butter

Serving Suggestions

Portion Size: 4-6 oz per serving (each fillet can serve 1-2 people)

Serving Ideas:

• Slice fillets in half for more manageable portions
• Serve over a bed of rice or quinoa
• Pair with roasted vegetables or fresh salad

Pairing Recommendations:

• Lemon wedges for brightness
• Steamed asparagus or green beans
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Pinot Noir wine

If you enjoy Costco’s prepared seafood items, you might also want to try learning how to cook Kirkland salmon fillets or explore how to cook Costco stuffed salmon for another take-and-bake option.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Storage

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
• Store in airtight container
• Consume within 3 days

Reheating Instructions

• Air Fryer: 300-350 degrees F for 4-5 minutes
• Oven: 400 degrees F for 5-10 minutes
• Target Temperature: 145 degrees F internal

Avoid microwaving. It makes the fish rubbery and the smell lingers.

Freezing Tips

You can freeze uncooked portions for later use. Wrap individual fillets tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: Salmon is dry and tough

Cause: Overcooked beyond 145 degrees F

Solution: Reduce cooking time by 3-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness at 17 minutes. Pull salmon when it reaches 140 degrees F (carryover cooking will bring it to 145)

Issue: Pesto butter slides off during cooking

Cause: Salmon not level in pan or butter too warm before cooking

Solution: Make sure tray sits flat in oven. Keep salmon refrigerated until ready to cook so butter stays firm

Issue: Unevenly cooked fillets

Cause: Fillets have different thicknesses

Solution: Remove thinner fillets earlier. Cut thick fillets in half before cooking for more even results

Issue: Bland pesto flavor

Cause: Costco reduced butter portion sizes in recent years

Solution: Add extra pesto or garlic butter before cooking. Some people make their own pesto butter using a 2:1 ratio of butter to jarred pesto

Product Variations and Related Items

Similar Costco Products

• Kirkland Signature Stuffed Salmon: Crab and seafood stuffing inside salmon fillets
• Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon: Frozen, no seasoning, wild-caught
• Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets: Plain salmon at $8.99/lb for DIY seasoning

Cooking Time Adjustments

If you freeze and thaw this product, add 3-5 minutes to oven cooking time. Frozen salmon cooked directly from frozen needs 20-25 minutes in the air fryer at 390 degrees F.

For a complete Costco dinner spread, consider pairing with Costco mashed potatoes or Costco jasmine rice as side dishes.

FAQ on How To Cook Costco Pesto Salmon

What temperature do you cook Costco pesto salmon?

Bake the Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano at 400 degrees F in a preheated oven.

This temperature works for both oven baking and air frying methods.

The salmon needs to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F before serving.

How long does Costco pesto salmon take to cook?

Oven baking takes 17-25 minutes depending on fillet thickness.

Air fryer cooking runs faster at 10-12 minutes.

Always use an instant read thermometer to check doneness rather than relying only on time.

Can you cook Costco salmon Milano from frozen?

Yes, but thawing first produces better texture.

If cooking frozen, add 10-15 extra minutes to the oven time. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results with your Atlantic salmon fillets.

Do you remove the plastic lid before baking?

Yes. Remove the clear plastic cover and discard it before placing the aluminum tray in the oven.

The tray itself is oven-safe. You can bake directly in it at 400 degrees F.

How do you know when pesto butter salmon is done?

Check that the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

The flesh should look opaque throughout with no translucent pink remaining. Internal temp needs to hit 145 degrees F for food safety.

Can you cook Costco pesto salmon in an air fryer?

Absolutely. Air frying works great for 1-2 fillets.

Preheat to 400 degrees F, place salmon skin side down, and cook 10-12 minutes. This method gives you slightly crispy edges on the basil pesto topping.

Why is my Costco salmon dry after cooking?

Overcooking is the usual culprit. Salmon dries out quickly past 145 degrees F.

Pull it from the oven around 140 degrees F. Carryover cooking finishes the job while keeping the fish moist and flaky.

What sides go well with Costco pesto salmon?

Rice, roasted vegetables, and fresh salads pair well with this Mediterranean-style dish.

The rich pesto butter benefits from lighter sides. Try steamed asparagus or a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette.

How do you store and reheat leftover pesto salmon?

Refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours. Leftovers keep for 3 days.

Reheat in the oven at 400 degrees F for 5-10 minutes or air fryer at 350 degrees F for 4-5 minutes. Skip the microwave.

Is Costco pesto salmon healthy?

Each 4 oz serving has 250 calories and 20 grams of protein.

Salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids which support heart health. The pesto butter adds saturated fat, so portion control matters if watching fat intake.

Conclusion

Learning how to cook Costco pesto salmon takes minutes. The Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano works for busy weeknight dinners or impressing guests without much effort.

Stick to 400 degrees F and watch for that 145 degree internal temperature.

Whether you choose oven baking for the whole tray or air frying individual fillets, this protein packed meal delivers. The basil pesto butter adds flavor without extra prep work.

Pair it with rice or roasted vegetables for a complete healthy fish dinner any night of the week.