Wassup Flavor Seekers! It's your favorite flavor-phile broadcasting live from da House of Flava, bringing you a salmon recipe so smooth, so soulful, so downright righteous, it’ll have you singing like the great Lauryn Hill herself.
We’re talking about Sweet and Spicy Honey Glazed Blackened Salmon Bites —a dish that’s got heat, sweetness, and a whole lot of flavor. So grab your cast iron, turn up the volume, and let’s doo wap that dang thing…
Beats and Eats (music to pair with Salmon Bites)
You ever take a bite of something so divine, so perfectly balanced, it feels like music in your mouth? That’s what’s happening here. The Refugee Camp All-Stars' “The Sweetest Thing” is a love song in edible form—smooth yet complex, mellow but packing an emotional punch.
Just like the honey-kissed, blackened crust on these salmon bites, the melody lingers, warming you from the inside out. Sweet, smoky, and layered with depth—this song and this dish belong together like a record on a turntable.
Key Ingredients: The Flavor All-Stars
Blackening Spice: The Soulful Backbone
A righteous mix of smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano—this blend is what gives blackened salmon bites their signature heat and deep, smoky flavor. Think of it like the bassline in a classic funk track—bold, essential, and setting the groove.
Skinless Salmon Fillets: The Main Act
Tender, buttery, salmon is the perfect fish for our bold seasoning mix. Its natural richness stands up to the blackening spices like a lead vocalist belting out big powerhouse notes.
Honey: The Sweet Serenade
This honey-heavy sauce smooths out the heat, much like a soulful chorus balancing a hard-hitting verse. It caramelizes beautifully, adding a sticky-sweet depth that takes these bites to the next level.
Lemon Juice: The High Note
A burst of citrus cuts through the richness, brightening up every bite like a horn section hitting just the right pitch at the perfect moment.
Garlic & Thyme: The Supporting Players
Garlic brings the pungent depth, while thyme adds an herbal note that lingers in the background, tying all the flavors together like a tight rhythm section.
Hot Sauce: The Edge
A dash of hot sauce in the honey lemon glaze is that extra touch of attitude—like a DJ scratch in a smooth R&B track. Just enough kick to keep things interesting.
Oregano: The Unexpected Harmony
Oregano adds an earthy, slightly peppery note that deepens the overall profile. Think of it like that surprise guest verse that takes a song from great to legendary.
How to Blacken Salmon Bites and Make the Sauce
I made blackened salmon a few days earlier and set aside a portion of the fresh uncooked salmon to make these salmon bites.
- Prepare the Salmon: Cut fish into bite-sized salmon cubes and pat them dry (moisture is the enemy of a good blackened crust!).
- Season Generously: Coat each piece in the blackening spice blend, pressing it in so it sticks like your favorite hook in a song.
- Sear to Perfection: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil, ghee, or butter. Cook salmon bites for about 2 minutes per side until a deep, smoky crust forms.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh thyme, oregano, olive oil, kosher salt, and hot sauce. Simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle or toss the salmon bites in the honey lemon sauce, ensuring every bite gets that sweet, tangy finish. Garnish with fresh herbs and/or sesame seeds.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Salmon Bites
These honey glazed salmon bites shine brightest when paired with:
- Coconut rice – a creamy, slightly sweet jasmine rice based dish to balance the spice.
- Charred asparagus – fresh, crisp, asparagus infused with rich umami char and sauce
- Cornbread – because nothing says comfort like a little Southern soul of grandma's cornbread recipe.
Tips & Considerations for Maximum Flavor
- Use Fresh Salmon: The fresher the fish, the richer the taste. Frozen salmon fillets are ok in a pinch
- Don’t Skip the Cast-Iron Pan: It holds heat like a deep groove in a vinyl record, ensuring that perfect sear.
- Adjust Spice Levels: More cayenne for extra heat, more honey for extra sweetness—find your balance, like a well-mixed track.
- Let It Rest: After cooking, let the salmon bites sit for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping every bite tender and flavorful.
- Mind the Sauce: Don't overcook and let it get too thick. Add a bit of soy sauce for additional umami flavor. Add red pepper flakes if you need even a bit more heat, but you should have enough with the hot sauce.
- Try Other Fish: You can make blackened fish bites using other types of fish. I've made both blackened redfish and blackened trout. Both could be cut into bites and cooked in similar fashion.
Make This Recipe
If you make this wonderful honey garlic salmon bites recipe or any other delicious recipes from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.
You can also keep up with my food exploits as well as original recipes! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you like any of the music you find on the site, visit me at Spotify to find curated monthly playlists.
Lastly, go to my YouTube channel and subscribe to be notified when new weekly videos are uploaded.
Ingredients
For The Salmon
- ½ lb Fresh Salmon
- 2 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Ghee
For The Sauce
- ¼ cup Honey
- ½ teaspoon Fresh Thyme leaves
- 2 Garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 medium Lemon Juiced
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
Instructions
Prepare the Salmon
- Cut fish into bite-sized salmon cubes and pat them dry (moisture is the enemy of a good blackened crust!).
Season Generously
- Coat each piece in the blackening spice blend, pressing it in so it sticks like your favorite hook in a song.
Sear to Perfection
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil, ghee, or butter. Cook salmon bites for about 2 minutes per side until a deep, smoky crust forms.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh thyme, oregano, olive oil, kosher salt, and hot sauce. Simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Glaze and Serve
- Drizzle or toss the salmon bites in the honey lemon sauce, ensuring every bite gets that sweet, tangy finish. Garnish with fresh herbs and/or sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use Fresh Salmon: The fresher the fish, the richer the taste. Frozen salmon fillets are ok in a pinch
- Don’t Skip the Cast-Iron Pan: It holds heat like a deep groove in a vinyl record, ensuring that perfect sear.
- Adjust Spice Levels: More cayenne for extra heat, more honey for extra sweetness—find your balance, like a well-mixed track.
- Let It Rest: After cooking, let the salmon bites sit for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping every bite tender and flavorful.
- Mind the Sauce: Don't overcook and let it get too thick. Add a bit of soy sauce for additional umami flavor. Add red pepper flakes if you need even a bit more heat, but you should have enough with the hot sauce.