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Golden brown Jerk Salmon Bites stacked on a slate platter, garnished with fresh herbs and glistening with Caribbean spices.
Reda

Jerk Salmon Bites

Crispy-edged, spice-crusted salmon cubes with authentic Caribbean heat and a bright pineapple dipping sauce that cools just enough.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 1.5 lb skinless salmon fillet cut into 1-inch cubes, pin bones removed
  • 2 tbsp jerk seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
  • 1 lime zested and juiced
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
For the Pineapple Dipping Sauce
  • 0.5 cup pineapple juice
  • 0.25 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped, plus more for garnish

Equipment

  • Large nonstick skillet or cast iron pan
  • Small Bowl (for sauce)
  • Tongs or fish spatula

Method
 

Prep
  1. Whisk together pineapple juice, mayonnaise, honey, and chopped cilantro in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead.
  2. Pat salmon cubes completely dry with paper towels - this is crucial for browning. In a medium bowl, toss salmon with jerk seasoning, brown sugar, garlic powder, lime zest, lime juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and salt until evenly coated. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while you heat the pan.
Cook
  1. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon in a single layer, leaving space between pieces (work in batches if needed). Cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until a dark crust forms on the bottom. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes more until just cooked through but still moist in the center. The exterior should be deeply caramelized with some charred edges.
Serve
  1. Transfer salmon bites to a serving platter. Spoon the pineapple sauce into a small bowl for dipping, or drizzle lightly over the top. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately while the edges are still crisp.

Notes

For homemade jerk seasoning, combine 1 tablespoon each allspice and dried thyme, 2 teaspoons each cayenne and black pepper, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. The salmon cubes cook quickly - pull them when the centers are still slightly translucent; they will carryover cook. If your jerk seasoning is very salty, reduce or omit the added kosher salt.