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Brown Stew Salmon

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

This Caribbean-style Brown Stew Salmon is perfect for a quick dinner packed with flavor. Seasoned salmon is fried to golden perfection and then gently cooked in a deeply flavored sauce with onions, sweet bell peppers, and spicy scotch bonnet. The dish gets its beautiful balance from a mix of traditional island spices, soy, hoisin, and fresh thyme. It’s ready within 30 minutes and naturally free of dairy. Adjust the spice to your liking by adding more or less scotch bonnet.
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Updated on Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:40:45 GMT
A flavorful dish of salmon and vegetables in a bowl. Pin it
A flavorful dish of salmon and vegetables in a bowl. | quickierecipe.com

Experience the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean with this rich and aromatic brown stew salmon. The tender fish fillets simmer in a perfectly balanced sauce that captures authentic island seasonings, creating a memorable dish that's both comforting and elegant.

The fragrant blend of fresh herbs and spices creates an inviting aroma that fills the kitchen. This dish stays true to traditional Caribbean cooking while incorporating fresh salmon for a modern twist.

Key Ingredients

  • Salmon: Select fresh fillets with bright color and firm texture. Even thickness ensures consistent cooking results.
  • Sweet Peppers: Use a mix of red, yellow and green for best flavor and visual appeal.
  • Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme and garlic provide authentic Caribbean flavors.
  • Scotch Bonnet: This essential pepper adds signature heat and fruity notes.
  • Sauce Base: Premium soy sauce and brown sugar create rich depth.

Preparation Method

Fish Preparation:
Clean salmon with lime juice and pat dry. Season thoroughly on all sides for best flavor.
Searing:
Brown salmon in hot oil until golden, about 5-7 minutes per side.
Vegetable Base:
Cook aromatics until tender while maintaining texture and color.
Sauce:
Build sauce gradually, stirring until rich and glossy.
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. | quickierecipe.com

Success depends on achieving the ideal sauce consistency while keeping the salmon moist and flaky.

Cooking Time

Cook salmon to 145°F internal temperature. Reduce sauce until it coats the back of a spoon, typically 2-3 minutes after returning fish to pan.

Presentation

Serve over fragrant rice and peas, letting sauce coat both. Garnish with fresh herbs and colorful peppers for visual appeal.

Variations

Add traditional vegetables like callaloo or okra. Adjust heat level by varying scotch bonnet amount. Keep additions balanced to complement the fish.

Storage

Keep leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days. Flavors develop overnight, though fish texture is best fresh. Warm gently when reheating.

Each element of this dish builds toward a harmonious blend of Caribbean flavors. When prepared with care, it delivers both comfort and sophistication.

Side Dishes

Serve with coconut-infused rice and peas, tangy Caribbean slaw, sweet fried plantains, or simple steamed vegetables.

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

This recipe elevates salmon while honoring Caribbean culinary traditions. The result is an impressive yet approachable dish suitable for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Would it work with another fish?
Absolutely! Firm white fish like snapper or cod can replace salmon, though be mindful of different cooking times.
→ How can I tone down the heat?
For mild spice, leave the scotch bonnet intact or skip it entirely. Want more heat? Slice it up!
→ Is there a hoisin sauce alternative?
You can mix 1 teaspoon of brown sugar with the same amount of browning sauce for a slightly different taste.
→ What’s the best way to flip the salmon?
Let the fish lift easily from the pan’s surface before flipping so it doesn’t break apart.
→ What should I pair this dish with?
Try it with fluffy rice, caramelized plantains, or steamed veggies for a satisfying Caribbean-inspired meal.

Brown Stew Salmon

Juicy salmon fillets simmered in a rich and flavorful Caribbean sauce made with onions, peppers, and spices for a quick and satisfying meal.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Jamaican

Yield: 3 Servings

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

Ingredients

→ Fish Seasoning

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

→ Vegetables

06 Half a tomato, sliced up or diced
07 A quarter of a scotch bonnet pepper
08 A couple of garlic cloves, minced
09 1/4 red bell pepper, cut into strips or cubes
10 1/4 green bell pepper, cut into strips or cubes
11 A couple of fresh thyme sprigs, coarsely chopped
12 Half an onion, diced or cut into strips

→ Sauce

13 Two teaspoons of brown sugar
14 1 tbsp of soy sauce
15 1/4 cup of veggie or chicken broth
16 One tbsp of hoisin sauce
17 A cup of neutral cooking oil to fry the fish

Instructions

Step 01

Clean the salmon with lime or lemon and cold water. Then dry it with a paper towel. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and seasoning salt on both sides.

Step 02

In a large frying pan, warm up some oil over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon for 5 to 7 minutes on each side until it gets a nice, crispy crust. Set it aside on a wire rack after frying.

Step 03

Dump out the used oil, leaving just 2 tbsp in the pan. Toss in the onion, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, scotch bonnet, and peppers. Cook these on medium heat until fragrant before mixing in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and broth.

Step 04

Place the salmon fillets back into the pan. Spoon the sauce over them and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes with the lid partially on. Before serving, spoon a bit more of the reduced sauce over the fish.

Notes

  1. Swap out hoisin sauce with browning and a bit of brown sugar if needed.
  2. Wait for the fish to loosen up before flipping it to avoid breaking it.
  3. If you want less heat, leave the scotch bonnet whole. Slice it up if you want it spicy!

Tools You'll Need

  • A big frying pan, preferably non-stick
  • A spatula to flip the fish
  • A cooling rack and a baking sheet to drain the fish
  • A splatter guard to control oil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This dish contains salmon (fish).
  • It also has soy in it.

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