These Gochujang Salmon Bites made on the stove top or in the air fryer are the answer to weeknight dinner boredom. They are super simple and incredibly flavorful thanks to a quick marinade. And the really fun part about these salmon bites is that I also developed a recipe for Salmon Fried Rice to use up the leftovers and it is reason enough to make a big batch!
Salmon Bites are a special, quick & easy weeknight meal
As much as I love my dad's slow roasted salmon recipe or my spicy salmon sushi rolls, they aren't my idea of weeknight meals. They are more special occasion dishes. These salmon bites are more my speed for a weeknight meal. I am always craving spicy Asian-inspired flavors, just ask Jason. Give me a bowl of rice or noodles with the flavors of ginger, garlic, sesame, and something spicy and I am a happy girl.
And don't even get me started on kimchi. I love it so much and will often just snack on it straight from the jar if I'm feeling snacky while making dinner. It adds so much flavor to anything you add it to!
So needless to say, these Gochujang Salmon Bites with Spicy Kimchi Mayo check all of my crave-worthy boxes.
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Ingredients
salmon bites:
- salmon
- avocado oil or other neutral cooking oil
marinade:
- soy sauce
- gochujang
- toasted sesame oil
- fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- fresh garlic, peeled and finely grated
- dry white wine or rice vinegar
spicy kimchi mayo
- mayonnaise
- kimchi
- gochujang
- sriracha hot sauce
- toasted sesame oil
for serving and garnish:
- prepared rice or noodles
- sauteed spinach with sesame and garlic (or bok choy would be really good too)
- sliced spring onions
- sesame seeds
See recipe card for exact amounts and full instructions.
How to make salmon bites on the stove top
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a large glass measuring cup or bowl and mix to combine. Place salmon cubes in a large ziploc bag or dish and pour over marinade. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Prepare kimchi mayo while you wait by combining all mayonnaise ingredients in a bowl or mason jar and mixing well to combine. Store mayo in refrigerator until ready to use.
- After 30 minutes, thread salmon bites onto wooden or metal skewers, make sure to drain any excess marinade. You don't want them dripping when you put them in the hot pan.
- Preheat a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat *choose a pan that will allow your skewers to lay flat. Add oil to pan and swirl to coat evenly. Place salmon skewers in pan in a single layer and cook until browned on all sides. This will take about 4 minutes per side. If you feel your salmon sticking, wait 30 seconds and try to flip again. It will tell you when it's ready to flip.
How to make salmon bites in the air fryer
- Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Do not skewer salmon if cooking in air fryer.
- After 30 minutes, preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes place salmon in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, brush with remaining marinade and cook an additional 5 minutes until fish is cooked through. Discard any remaining marinade at this point.
What is Gochujang?
Gochujang is a fermented Korean chile paste. It is sticky, slightly sweet, very savory, moderately spicy, and so flavorful. It's pretty easy to find in most grocery stores and of course you can grab some online. I look for one with clean ingredients such as Mother in Law's Gochujang, but there are many brands out there. It lasts practically forever in the fridge and you can use it in so many ways. I always have some in my fridge and pantry.
Equipment
I don't use nonstick often, but this is one of the times I do. I like this Original Green Pan non-stick skillet. And this is the air fryer I use.
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Reheat salmon bites at 400 degrees F for about 3 minutes until heated through.
Always preheat before adding the salmon to prevent sticking. You can also line the basket with parchment paper or spray it very well with nonstick spray before adding salmon.
Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F for well done. If you like it cooked less you can cook to 135-140 F for medium, 125-130 F for medium rare, or 120 F for rare.
Check out my other seafood recipes:
- Garlic Butter Steamed Clams with grilled corn + bacon
- Brown Butter Rosemary Shrimp Skewers
- Pull Apart Lobster Sliders with Garlic Chive Butter
- The Perfect Slow Roasted Salmon
Gochujang Salmon Bites with Spicy Kimchi Mayo
These Gochujang Salmon Bites are packed with flavor and quick and easy to make on the stove top or in the air fryer. The Spicy Kimchi Mayo seals the deal and makes this such a special meal.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the salmon bites:
- 1.5 pounds salmon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other neutral cooking oil
For the marinade:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup gochujang
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and finely grated
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine or rice vinegar
For the spicy kimchi mayo
- ¾ cup prepared mayonnaise
- ¼ cup kimchi, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1 tablespoon sriracha hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
for serving and garnish:
- prepared rice or noodles
- sauteed spinach with sesame and garlic (or bok choy would be really good too)
- sliced spring onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a large glass measuring cup or bowl and mix to combine. Place salmon cubes in a large ziploc bag or dish and pour over marinade. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Prepare kimchi mayo while you wait by combining all mayonnaise ingredients in a bowl or mason jar and mixing well to combine. Store mayo in refrigerator until ready to use.
- Stove top: *See below for air fryer instructions* After 30 minutes, thread salmon bites onto wooden or metal skewers, make sure to drain any excess marinade. You don't want them dripping when you put them in the hot pan.
- Preheat a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat *choose a pan that will allow your skewers to lay flat. Add oil to pan and swirl to coat evenly. Place salmon skewers in pan in a single layer and cook until browned on all sides. This will take about 4 minutes per side. If you feel your salmon sticking, wait 30 seconds and try to flip again. It will tell you when it's ready to flip.
Air fryer Instructions:
After 30 minutes of marinating, preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes place salmon in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, brush with remaining marinade and cook an additional 5 minutes until fish is cooked through. Discard any remaining marinade at this point.
Notes
You don't have to marinade these. you can just toss with the marinade and cook, but they will benefit from a quick 20-30 minute soak if you have time. Be sure to drain excess marinade before cooking.
Optional: you can reduce the leftover marinade in the same skillet and drizzle over skewers before serving. Make sure to bring to a full boil and reduce to a syrup-like consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes plus marinating time
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: seafood, dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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