Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites

This Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites recipe provides a flavourful twist to weeknight meals. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is a great way to add variety to your dinner rotation. Plus, the salmon packs a ton of healthy nutrients making this a delicious and nutritious meal!

I first made a version of this recipe with my mom and we fell in love! When we have made salmon recipes in the past, we kept the marinade and flavours pretty neutral and subtle. This recipe was just as easy but it provided so much additional flavour.

 

How to Cook Salmon

The best cooked salmon is one that is just barely done and flakes really easily with gentle pressure of a fork. This can be achieved with a full fillet of salmon as well as with these Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites.

When cooking a full fillet, I like to set the oven to 425°F and bake it for 12-15 minutes, depending on the size of the fish. You can always test the doneness after 12 minutes and cook it for another minute or two if it’s not quite ready.

When cooking the salmon bites, make sure to spread them out evenly on a baking tray. The oven is set slightly lower at 400°F to account for the smaller pieces. I recommend baking for about 10 minutes, give or take a minute or two, depending on the strength of your oven. Again, to check if the fish is done, lightly press a fork into the salmon bites and make sure it separates in flakes.

Salmon Nutrition Benefits

Salmon is known to provide many health and nutrition benefits. As a registered dietitian, I recommend consuming salmon (or other types of fatty fish) about 2 times per week. This helps us meet our omega 3 fatty acid recommendations.

Omega 3s are essential fatty acids, meaning they are type a of fat that we have to get through our diet. These fatty acids help support the health of your heart, brain and immune system. They can also reduce inflammation in the body. Salmon is an example of a food that is rich in these omega 3 fatty acids.

Salmon is also a great source of protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E and some other minerals.

It’s safe to say that these Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites are a nutrient dense choice!

Ingredients for Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites

To make these Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites, you will need:

• Salmon
  • The fishing industry is a complicated and controversial discussion these days so I recommend you pick the fish that best suits your preferences, values and budget.
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, opt for gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
• Honey
  • You can play around with the amount of honey you use in this recipe, depending on your desired level of sweetness. You can also use maple syrup instead. Omit it altogether if you don’t want the sweet component.
• Garlic powder
  • Using crushed garlic cloves instead of garlic powder is also an option. One clove is equivalent to 1/4 tsp of garlic powder, so I would recommend at least 2 garlic cloves for this recipe.

 

I have also paired this dish with a Chili Mayonnaise. For this you will need:

• Mayonnaise
• Soy sauce
• Chili garlic sauce
  • Whether you have chili garlic sauce or sweet chili sauce, either product will work in this dressing.
• Honey
  • Again, you can also use maple syrup if you prefer.

Feel free to taste as you go with this recipe and adjust the flavours as you see fit.

What to Serve with Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites

Once you have your Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites cooked and ready to be enjoyed, we want to pair them with the right sides to make a satisfying meal!

Adding a side of rice is a great way to soak up the additional marinade and sauce. It also provides a great source of filling and energizing carbohydrates. Alternatively, you could opt for another type of grain like quinoa.

Now for some extra colour, fibre and vitamins from our vegetables. Incorporate your choice of roasted or sauteed veggies or go for a leafy green salad on the side.

I also love adding some seaweed to this dish for the extra umami flavour. No problem if this isn’t for you, but it’s worth the try in my opinion!

Finally, top the dish with the chili mayo and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before diving in!

I hope you love this dish! If you’re looking for additional dinner ideas, you should try these easy seafood recipes:

• Lemon, Dill and Dijon Salmon
• Fiesta Shrimp & Black Bean Salad
• Creamy Oregano Tuna Casserole
• One-Pot Shrimp and Bean Jambalaya
• Coconut Lime Crusted Halibut

 

If you make these Sweet Sesame Salmon Bites I would love to see your comment and rating below. It also makes my day seeing your creations of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutrition.rd!