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    Home » Entrees

    Apr 6, 2015 · Modified: Oct 19, 2021 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 22 Comments

    Alaska Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders

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    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    Thank you to Alaska Seafood for sponsoring this post. As usual, all opinions are my own!

    I’ve eaten more salmon in 2015 than I have in my entire life combined. I’ve been aiming to try a new recipe every week and I’ve been doing a pretty fabulous job of it so far. Almost to the point where I may as well start a new salmon-only food blog because I’m seriously nervous you’re going to get sick of my salmon jibber jabber. But um, can we do one more salmon post? Then I’ll give you like a two week break. Maybe. 

    I’ve talked about the health benefits of salmon before, but in case you forget, all you need to know is TONS of healthy fats, heart health, brain health, and happiness. Seriously, those omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risk of depression. And Alzheimer’s disease! Now I don’t think you can argue with me posting about it so often, right?

    While I used to buy whatever kind of salmon happened to be on sale at my grocery store, I’m now pretty hooked on only buying wild salmon. Wild salmon has the most nutrition benefits and farm-raised salmon often has contaminates and lower quality omega-3s. So, when I had the opportunity to work with Alaska Seafood, I jumped. They offered a whole list of seafoods I could create recipes from and I picked up a beautiful piece of frozen salmon (I’m a huge proponent of frozen fish as it’s usually just as fresh and sometimes even fresher than fresh!) for a dish you can enjoy for a meal… Or a party appetizer.

    Isn’t this salmon pretty??

    Alaskan Salmon | wearenotmartha.com

    Wild seafood from Alaska is some of the best. Because the water is so cold, Alaska produces some of the best-tasting seafood with lots of high-quality protein, vitamins, and oils. I admit, I don’t usually look to see where my fish is from, but I’m definitely going to start to. Alaska actually supplies nearly 60% of the nation’s seafood and about 90% of North America’s salmon comes from Alaska.

    I decided to make Alaska Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders with the sockeye salmon I picked up at my grocery store. I feel like salmon burgers don't make it onto enough menus and they're probably one of the healthiest (and I think, most delicious) burgers around!

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders Ingredients | wearenotmartha.com

    I made my own pesto and, of course, recommend you do the same. It’s easy! And worth it, if you ask me. All you do is blend lightly toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and basil leaves in a blender. Then you slowly stream the olive oil in to get your pesto to the right consistency and mix in the parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. 

    I made my pesto into a “mayo” by stirring in ½ C Greek yogurt. Even if you buy your pesto, you can still stir in the Greek yogurt for the purposes of these sliders.

    I love pesto almost as much as I love salmon.

    Pesto | wearenotmartha.com

    Another fab thing about salmon? It’s SO easy to prepare! I’ve cooked it about a billion different ways, but I think my favorite is definitely in a grill pan. I just brush it lightly with olive oil, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and pop it in a grill pan on medium-high heat.

    Grilling Alaskan Salmon | wearenotmartha.com

    Grilling for about 4 minutes on both sides worked for me, but a lot will depend on how thick your salmon is. Your salmon should feel firm to the touch and flake apart when cooked. I’ll admit I enjoy my salmon slightly undercooked best. There’s nothing worse than ordering salmon out at a restaurant and having them overcook it.

    The grill pan is awesome because of the grill marks that are left on the salmon. 

    Grilled Alaskan Salmon | wearenotmartha.com

    I cut my salmon into small squares for the sliders, but I think I could have eaten that entire piece in just a couple minutes.

    ALWAYS toast your slider buns. And then spread a little pesto mayo onto each bun.

    Pesto on Rolls | wearenotmartha.com

    Top with a tomato round and a ½ slice of bacon.

    BLT with Pesto | wearenotmartha.com

    Put a salmon square on top of the bacon and a half a piece of butter lettuce on the top bun.

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    I’m getting hungry all over again. This sandwich is seriously made up of all my favorite things… And in slider form at that! Of course, you could make full-sized salmon burgers if you can’t find slider buns- just cut the salmon into larger pieces. But I love that you can eat a few of these if you want.

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    Please don’t let anyone tell you fish is difficult to cook. It’s not! At all! Doesn’t this prove it? And I mean, isn’t it worth whipping up some BLT sliders for brain health?

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    Aside from some people thinking that cooking fish is hard, there are other issues that prevent some people from eating it. Lots of people are worried about sustainability… Which is another reason to eat seafood from Alaska! Their fishing methods are anchored in strict conservation practices (plus the State Constitution), which means we’ll be able to enjoy it for many, many years. Which also means, I’m going to have to keep coming up with fun new salmon recipes and they may never disappear from this blog!

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    While the salmon was my favorite part of the sliders, I feel like all of the components just went so well together. You don’t need the pesto mayo, of course, but it’s so flavorful and spring-like and adds a bit of zing to the slider. You’ve got the buttery richness of the salmon, the saltiness of the bacon, the juicy freshness of the tomato, and the crunch of the lettuce to pull everything together. 

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    Now that I’ve experienced Alaska salmon, I want to check out some of the other seafoods on the list. For instance, I’ve never cooked with king crab or snow crab. And I don’t think I’ve even ever tried rockfish or black cod. Oh, and weathervane scallops? I definitely need more of those in my life. A scallop BLT could be next up.

    Alaskan Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders -- A healthy burger, plus bacon! |wearenotmartha.com

    People say it’s bad form to bring fish to the office to reheat for lunch. But I’m kind of thinking the rules don’t apply to these mini salmon burgers. Right??

    Do you check to see where your seafood’s from? 

    📖 Recipe

    Alaska Salmon BLT Pesto Sliders

    Better than your average BLT, these sliders add grilled salmon and a pesto mayo to the bacon, lettuce, and tomato!
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    Course: Appetizer or Entree
    Makes: 4
    Author: We are not Martha

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb. Alaska sockeye salmon skin removed (thawed if frozen)
    • 2 t olive oil
    • Salt and pepper
    • 8 slider buns lightly toasted
    • ½ C pesto mayo see recipe below
    • 4 slices bacon cooked crispy
    • 2 small tomatoes sliced into rounds
    • 4 butter lettuce leaves

    Pesto Mayo:

    • 2 T pine nuts lightly toasted
    • 2 large garlic cloves
    • 1 t freshly lemon juice
    • 2 C basil leaves packed
    • ⅓-1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ C parmesan cheese
    • ½ t red hot pepper flakes
    • ½ C Greek yogurt
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Pat salmon dry, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
    • Heat grill pan over medium high heat and add salmon. Cook about 4 minutes on each side, until salmon feels firm to the touch.
    • Remove to cutting board and cut salmon into small squares.
    • Spread pesto mayo on both sides of lightly toasted slider buns.
    • Top each bun with ½ slice of bacon, a tomato round, salmon square, and half a piece of butter lettuce. Place tops of rolls on top.

    Pesto Mayo:

    • Add pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and basil leaves to blender and blend until finely chopped.
    • Slowly stream in ⅓ C olive oil with blender running, until mixture is smooth. Scrape down the edges of the blender. Check consistency and add remaining olive oil if necessary.
    • Mix in parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
    • Pour into bowl and stir in Greek yogurt and salt and pepper to taste.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Juliana says

      April 07, 2015 at 12:40 am

      Sues, these salmon sliders look fabulous, and yes, the idea of pesto just look even better...thanks for the inspiration!
      Have a great week 🙂

    2. Mary Frances says

      April 07, 2015 at 10:59 am

      I love salmon, and your salmon sliders look absolutely mouthwatering! Pesto and salmon is an amazing combination. If you're interested in checking out a new salmon recipe, here's a sesame and curry crusted salmon I adore: http://lovethesecretingredient.net/2013/03/12/salmon-dinner/

    3. Odetta says

      April 07, 2015 at 5:28 pm

      Loving this unique salmon idea!!! It's such a healthy fish!

    4. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

      April 07, 2015 at 11:00 pm

      I don't eat salmon nearly as often as I should. Especially in the form of these sliders! I love the idea of a salmon BLT, and that pesto sauce looks incredible!

    5. chantelle @ naked cuisine says

      April 08, 2015 at 2:12 am

      Scallop BLT and go! Oh I just love salmon and its infinite variations, keep em coming Sues.

    6. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      April 08, 2015 at 9:08 am

      These salmon sliders look delicious! Love the pesto sauce on here. Yum!

    7. Erin@WellPlated says

      April 08, 2015 at 9:11 am

      Bring on ALL THE SALMON. I can never get enough, but it's sometimes hard to find good quality here in landlocked WI (thanks for the tip on Alaska seafood!).

    8. Ami@NaiveCookCooks says

      April 08, 2015 at 10:16 am

      Sues this looks so good. Lately I have been all obsessed with fish and incorporating them in every meal! This gives me another tasty way to have fish in my meals!!

    9. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says

      April 08, 2015 at 10:40 am

      There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating a lot of salmon! I love salmon, eat it at least once a week and am always looking for new recipes. Love these little blt pesto sliders. These are perfect for when I have an abundance of basil from my garden to make pesto!

    10. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says

      April 08, 2015 at 1:07 pm

      These sliders look divine! I love the salmon - one of my favourite fish! Definitely going to be trying the recipe! 😀

    11. Monica says

      April 08, 2015 at 4:10 pm

      I just made salmon for lunch today! We love it but I don't think I've ever done it as a sandwich and I totally want to. My little one would love it (salmon & bacon) and I love the pesto idea!

    12. Christina @ Bake with Christina says

      April 08, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      I used to eat salmon burgers all the time, and those look SO delicious and savory!! 🙂

    13. Jessica @ Sweet Menu says

      April 08, 2015 at 6:16 pm

      Wow that looks so tasty! I need to eat more salmon, its so good for you!!!

    14. Chris says

      April 08, 2015 at 10:19 pm

      Mmmmmmm

    15. Lawyer Loves Lunch says

      April 09, 2015 at 1:12 am

      Those rules totally don't apply to delicious! I'm guessing your office mates will totally want to steal your lunch once they see you warming these delicious sliders up!

    16. Katerina says

      April 09, 2015 at 2:54 am

      We all love salmon here and this is a delicious way to serve it! My son would love it!

    17. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      April 09, 2015 at 10:52 am

      Salmon is my favorite! Love these little sliders!

    18. Joanne says

      April 10, 2015 at 7:31 am

      Wild salmon is ALWAYS the best!! I love how you've turned it into these cute little sliders! Perfect for sandwich double fisting.

    19. Kevin @ Closet Cooking says

      April 13, 2015 at 9:39 am

      Love the sound of salmon in BLT sliders!

    20. Jen@Mommy Runs for Food says

      April 17, 2015 at 5:13 pm

      O. M. G. These are brilliant and are so many of my favorite things in one place. I need them immediately.

    21. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

      April 22, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      What a genius slider!! Totally loving this recipe, I am always the biggest salmon fan, but my hubby only likes it if it's in some unique recipe, and this one totally fits the bill, I bet he'll eat this slider in a heartbeat 🙂

    22. Charles says

      October 16, 2015 at 9:24 am

      Thank you for the great tip I love to make fish now I will think of you every time I make fish! I can't try your recipes. Thank you!

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