Stewed Jamaican Salmon

Featured in: Main Dishes

This Jamaican-inspired stewed salmon is perfect for a fast, flavor-packed meal. Golden-fried salmon is simmered with peppers, onions, and scotch bonnet in a richly spiced sauce. A blend of hoisin, soy sauce, and thyme adds depth. It's dairy-free and done in just 30 minutes. Make it mild or extra spicy by adjusting the scotch bonnet level.
Twistytaste.com
Updated on Sun, 16 Mar 2025 17:52:49 GMT
A vibrant dish with cooked salmon and veggies in a savory sauce. Pin it
A vibrant dish with cooked salmon and veggies in a savory sauce. | twistytaste.com

Dive into the bold tastes of the Caribbean with this mouth-watering brown stew salmon. The juicy fish pieces cook in a well-mixed sauce that grabs all those real island flavors, making a dish you won't forget that's both down-home and fancy at once.

Your kitchen will smell amazing from all the fresh herbs and spices working together. This meal stays faithful to old-school Caribbean cooking but throws in fresh salmon for a new-age spin.

Main Components

  • Salmon: Go for fresh cuts with nice color and not too soft. You want them all the same thickness so they cook evenly.
  • Sweet Peppers: Throw in red, green and yellow ones to make it taste better and look prettier.
  • Fresh Herbs: You can't skip the fresh thyme and garlic for that real Caribbean taste.
  • Scotch Bonnet: This hot pepper brings that must-have kick and fruity background.
  • Sauce Base: Good soy sauce and brown sugar give it that deep, rich flavor.

Cooking Steps

Getting Fish Ready:
Wash salmon with lime juice then dry it off. Don't be shy with the seasoning on every side for big flavor.
Browning:
Get the salmon golden in hot oil, about 5-7 minutes on each side.
Veggie Setup:
Cook your flavor veggies until soft but still have some bite and bright colors.
Sauce:
Put it together bit by bit, stirring until it looks shiny and thick.
A tasty dish up close, showing fish with colorful veggies including carrots and peppers mixed in. Pin it
A tasty dish up close, showing fish with colorful veggies including carrots and peppers mixed in. | twistytaste.com

Getting it right means nailing that perfect sauce while keeping your salmon juicy and falling apart nicely.

Heat Duration

Make sure salmon hits 145°F inside. Let the sauce simmer down till it sticks to a spoon, usually about 2-3 minutes after putting the fish back in.

Plating Suggestions

Lay it over some tasty rice and peas, letting that sauce drip all over. Top with some fresh herbs and bright peppers to make it look good.

Different Takes

Throw in some callaloo or okra for a classic touch. Make it more or less spicy by changing how much scotch bonnet you use. Don't go crazy with extras or you'll drown out the fish.

Keeping Leftovers

Stick any extras in the fridge for up to 3 days. It actually tastes better the next day, though the fish won't be as nice. Heat it up slowly when you want seconds.

Everything in this meal works together to create that perfect Caribbean flavor combo. When you take your time making it, you'll end up with something that's cozy but still fancy enough to show off.

What Goes With It

Pair with rice and peas cooked in coconut milk, a zingy Caribbean slaw, soft sweet plantains, or just some plain steamed veggies.

Food in a bowl with fish chunks and colorful vegetables mixed together. Pin it
Food in a bowl with fish chunks and colorful vegetables mixed together. | twistytaste.com

This way of cooking makes salmon special while still showing love to Caribbean food traditions. You'll end up with a wow-worthy dish that's not too hard to make for any dinner occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use another fish option?
Sure! Try snapper or cod for a similar result, but keep an eye on their varying cooking times.
→ How do I control the spice level?
Want it mild? Leave the scotch bonnet whole or omit it. Craving heat? Slice it up finely.
→ Is there a substitute for hoisin sauce?
Mix 1 teaspoon of brown sugar with equal parts browning sauce for a similar kick.
→ Tips for flipping salmon without breaking it?
Let the salmon naturally release from the pan before turning it over to avoid breaking.
→ What side dishes pair well here?
Serve with rice, sweet plantains, or lightly steamed vegetables to complete the meal.

Stewed Jamaican Salmon

Tender salmon fillets cooked in a spice-infused sauce with fresh peppers and onions. A quick and hearty meal full of island flavor.

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

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Jamaican

Yield: 3 Servings

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

Ingredients

→ Fish Seasoning

01 Two small salmon pieces
02 Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
03 Half a teaspoon of salt
04 Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
05 Half a teaspoon of all-purpose spice mix or seasoned salt

→ Vegetables

06 A handful of fresh thyme, roughly chopped
07 Half an onion, sliced or diced
08 One-quarter each of green and red bell peppers, cut into strips or chunks
09 Two minced garlic cloves
10 Half a tomato, cut into slices or small bits
11 One-quarter piece of scotch bonnet chili

→ Sauce

12 A tablespoon of soy sauce
13 Two teaspoons of soft brown sugar crystals
14 A quarter-cup of chicken or veggie stock
15 A spoonful of hoisin sauce
16 One full cup of cooking oil for frying

Instructions

Step 01

Rinse the salmon fillets in cold water with lime or lemon and pat them dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle both sides with your salt, pepper, and seasoning mix.

Step 02

Heat a big frying pan on medium-high and add the cooking oil. Fry the salmon on each side for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Once done, transfer to a wire rack to cool off.

Step 03

Pour out most of the used oil but keep about two tablespoons in the frying pan. Drop in the thyme, garlic, onion, tomatoes, scotch bonnet, and red and green peppers. Cook everything on medium until you can smell the aromas. Grab your hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and broth, and mix them in.

Step 04

Put the salmon fillets back in the pan with everything else. Use a spoon to pour the sauce over the fish, then let it simmer for around 2-3 minutes with the lid slightly open. Spoon over more sauce just before serving.

Notes

  1. If you don't have hoisin sauce, use browning with some sugar as a backup.
  2. Wait until the fish naturally releases from the pan before trying to flip it. This keeps it intact.
  3. For less heat, leave the scotch bonnet whole. Cut it up for more spice!

Tools You'll Need

  • A large skillet that doesn't stick
  • A cooling rack and baking sheet for draining
  • A spatula for flipping the fish
  • An oil splatter guard to keep things cleaner

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This contains fish (salmon).
  • There's soy included in this dish too.

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