Stewed Salmon Bites

Featured in Comforting Soup and Stew Recipes to Warm Your Soul.

Caribbean-style salmon done fast! Crispy salmon is simmered in a sauce with peppers, onions, thyme, soy, and hoisin. Packed with flavor from bold island spices and scotch bonnet (spice level’s up to you). Done in just 30 minutes and totally dairy-free.
A man wearing a white shirt and suspenders holding a piece of paper.
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 18:14:34 GMT
A yummy bowl of salmon cooked in herbs and colorful veggies. Pin it
A yummy bowl of salmon cooked in herbs and colorful veggies. | chefmelt.com

Dive into Caribbean goodness with this tasty, flavorful brown stew salmon. The soft fish soaks up a well-mixed sauce packed with island spices, making a standout meal that feels both homey and fancy.

Your kitchen will smell amazing from all the herbs and spices working together. The dish sticks to Caribbean cooking roots while using salmon as a new twist.

Must-Have Components

  • Salmon: Go for fresh cuts with good color and not too soft. Same thickness all around helps it cook evenly.
  • Sweet Peppers: Grab red, green and yellow ones for better taste and looks.
  • Fresh Herbs: Thyme and garlic straight from the garden give you that real Caribbean taste.
  • Scotch Bonnet: You can't skip this pepper - it adds that fruity hotness everyone loves.
  • Sauce Base: Good soy sauce and brown sugar make everything richer.

Cooking Steps

Fish Prep:
Wash salmon with lime and dry it off. Add spices all over for maximum flavor.
Browning:
Get salmon golden in hot oil, about 5-7 minutes on each side.
Veggie Mix:
Cook all the smelly good stuff until soft but still has some crunch and bright colors.
Sauce:
Mix everything bit by bit, stirring until it looks shiny and thick.
A close-up of a delicious meal, featuring a piece of fish and a variety of vegetables, including carrots and peppers. Pin it
A close-up of a delicious meal, featuring a piece of fish and a variety of vegetables, including carrots and peppers. | chefmelt.com

Getting it right means making sure your sauce isn't too runny while keeping your salmon juicy and tender.

Heat Duration

Your salmon's done when it hits 145°F inside. The sauce should stick to a spoon when you pull it out, usually 2-3 minutes after putting the fish back in.

Serving Suggestions

Put it on top of some tasty rice and peas, letting all that sauce drip down. Throw on some fresh herbs and bright peppers to make it look fancy.

Different Takes

Try throwing in veggies like callaloo or okra if you want. Make it more or less spicy by changing how much scotch bonnet you use. Just don't go overboard – the salmon should still be the star.

Keeping Leftovers

You can keep extras in the fridge for up to 3 days. It actually tastes better the next day, but the fish won't be as nice. Heat it up slowly if you're eating it later.

Everything in this dish comes together to create amazing Caribbean flavors. Make it with care and you'll get something that's both comforting and impressive.

Partner Foods

Eat it with rice cooked in coconut milk, tangy Caribbean slaw, fried sweet plantains, or plain steamed veggies.

A bowl of food with fish and vegetables. Pin it
A bowl of food with fish and vegetables. | chefmelt.com

This way of cooking salmon shows off Caribbean food traditions. You'll end up with something that looks fancy but isn't hard to make – perfect for any dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different fish?
Yep! Firm fish like cod or snapper works great. Just watch the cooking time since it varies.
→ What if I don’t like spicy food?
Leave the scotch bonnet whole or skip it altogether for a mild kick. Want it hot? Chop it right in!
→ Can I swap out hoisin sauce?
Mix brown sugar and browning sauce in equal parts to match the flavor!
→ How do I flip salmon without tearing it?
Wait until it naturally loosens from the pan before flipping to keep it in one piece.
→ What sides go well with this?
Pair it with rice, sauteed veggies, or sweet plantains for a comforting meal.

Stewed Salmon Bites

Succulent salmon cooked in a rich Caribbean sauce filled with spiced onions, sweet peppers, and herbs for an effortless but tasty dinner.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Soups and Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Jamaican

Yield: 3 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Fish Seasoning

01 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt or general-purpose seasoning
02 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 A couple of salmon pieces (2 fillets)
05 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Vegetables

06 Half an onion, sliced or chopped
07 A pinch of fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped
08 1/4 green bell pepper, diced or sliced
09 1/4 red bell pepper, diced or sliced
10 A couple of minced garlic cloves
11 A small bit of a scotch bonnet pepper
12 Half of a tomato, either diced or sliced

→ Sauce

13 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
14 1/4 cup of chicken or veggie stock
15 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
16 Two teaspoons of brown sugar
17 A cup of neutral oil for frying

Instructions

Step 01

Rinse the fish well using cold water and lime or lemon. Pat it dry with paper towels and sprinkle salt, black pepper, and seasoning salt all over.

Step 02

Heat some oil in a wide skillet on medium-high. Fry the salmon on each side for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a drying rack afterward.

Step 03

Pour out most of the used oil, keeping just 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add in thyme, garlic, onion, tomatoes, scotch bonnet, and peppers, then cook until aromatic. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and stock.

Step 04

Gently place the salmon fillets back into the sauce in your pan. Spoon more sauce on top and simmer for a couple of minutes. Add a bit more of the sauce on top before serving.

Notes

  1. If you're low on hoisin sauce, try browning and more sugar instead.
  2. Don't try flipping the fish too early. Wait for it to naturally release from the pan.
  3. For less spice, leave the scotch bonnet whole. Cut it up for more heat.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large skillet, non-stick works great
  • A wire rack to cool and a sheet underneath to catch oil
  • A spatula for flipping
  • An oil splash guard if you've got one

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This includes salmon as an ingredient.
  • It also contains soy products.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 229
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 24 g