Feel like blending the richest Caribbean flavor with the most premium seafood? Well, then, marry the Jamaican jerk marinade with a fresh salmon and you’ve got it, a full-fledged jerk salmon.

This delicious Caribbean sauce is the perfect seasoning to enhance the softness of the salmon. With these two you are ready to enjoy either a jerk salmon on a plate or its heartier version, the jerk salmon sandwich. 

Here’s everything you need to get the best jerk salmon in town or maybe right in your own kitchen. 

What is Jerk Marinade and Why Jerk Salmon?

Caribbean jerk marinade, also known as adobo jerk or jerk sauce, is the heart and soul of jerk salmon. It is a spicy marinade made from a blend of indigenous ingredients, such as Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers, allspice berries, aromatic thyme, pungent citrus and a sweet touch of brown sugar or molasses. 

This jerk seasoning infuses meat, seafood or vegetables with an irresistible flavor and aroma. Jerk was originally used on chicken and pork but, in modern recipes, jerk spice blends are applied to several other proteins, including salmon. 

And that’s the story of how the Jamaican jerk marinade met the soft freshness of salmon. Over time, this dish has become one of the most coveted recipes among gourmet seafood lovers. When made by professionals, this is a signature dish in every fine modern menu. 

How to Make Jerk Salmon?

Let’s start with what brings us together here: the best jerk salmon recipe. How to make it, step by step. 

How to Make Jerk Marinade

So first things first. Let’s start with the jerk sauce recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 Scotch bonnet peppers, seeds removed (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons allspice berries
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Juice of 2 limes
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the scotch bonnet peppers, allspice berries, thyme, garlic, ginger, and onion. Blend until smooth.
2. Transfer the blended mixture to a saucepan and add the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and lime juice.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
6. Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool completely before using. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

The Jerk Salmon Recipe: Marinating for the Culinary Hit

And the defining hour is approaching. The perfect marinating for the jerk salmon recipe step by step. 

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon filets (6-8 ounces each).
• ½ cup jerk sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil, for basting

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season salmon filets with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Place the salmon filets in a shallow dish and pour the jerk sauce over the top, making sure they are evenly coated. Marinate the salmon in the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, in the refrigerator.
4. If grilling, lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the marinated salmon filets on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the salmon is well done and flakes easily with a fork.
5. If baking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place the marinated salmon filets on the prepared tray and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is well done and flakes easily with a fork.
6. Once cooked, remove the salmon from the grill or oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Assembling the Jamaican Jerk Salmon Sandwich

And for those who love seafood and succulent food, here you have everything you need to make the ultimate gourmet sandwich. 

Ingredients:

• Jerk-marinated salmon filets (cooked)
• 4 sandwich buns, toasted
• Lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced avocado
• Extra jerk sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place a cooked jerk-marinated salmon filet on the bottom half of each toasted sandwich bun.
2. Top the salmon with lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and sliced avocado.
3. Drizzle additional jerk sauce over the toppings if desired.
4. Place the top half of the toasted sandwich bun over the fillings to complete the sandwich.
5. Serve and enjoy the gourmet sandwich of them all!

And speaking of gourmet sandwiches… Here’s a shortcut to the cuz of gourmet and comforting sandwiches: the bacon burger. As in The bear, it can’t never hurt to have our own cookbook of gourmet sandwich recipes at our fingertips. 

Serving Suggestions and Accompaniments

Life philosophy: never forget about the pairing. This is truly the last step in any good recipe, gourmet or otherwise. 

To complement your jerk salmon sandwich and bring perfection to your dining experience, consider these sides. 

French fries: Crispy, golden crisps are a classic accompaniment to the jerk salmon sandwich. Or well, let’s face it, fries are the best side dish for any sandwich, let alone almost any dish. Praise be to the potato in all its forms.

Sweet potato fries: For a healthier and special twist on classic fries, serve some sweet potato fries alongside your jerk salmon sandwich. These savory fries offer a sweet kick that contrasts deliciously with the spicy kick of the jerk seasoning.

Tomato Bisque: A warm, comforting bowl of tomato soup is an excellent accompaniment to salmon sandwiches, especially on colder days. 

Chili Soup: Another hearty option is to serve salmon sandwiches with a bowl of chili soup. Whether it’s a beef chili or a vegetarian bean chili, the strong, spicy flavors of the soup complement the robust flavor of the salmon, creating a satisfying and comforting meal.

Conclusion: Embrace Jerk Salmon For The (Sandwich) Win

In short, we saw that the Jamaican jerk marinade is a Caribbean sauce that brings a unique flavor to dishes with proteins such as chicken, pork or seafood such as salmon. 

One sauce and your dish changes completely. In other words, you are one sauce away from the most gourmet seafood sandwich. 

There is only one last step to follow: Save this post and go straight to gathering the ingredients to make the best marinade of your life. 

And if today was a lazy day, save this post and go straight to make a table reservation or order online at your favorite tavern. Either way, the jerk salmon sandwich awaits you.