Jerk Salmon

Free: Healthy Freezer Meals Recipe Ebook

Get It Now

This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. (Full disclosure)

This jerk salmon recipe with pineapple salsa is an irresistible combination that will turn your kitchen into a tropical oasis. While simple baked salmon dinners like parmesan crusted salmon or baked salmon with mayo are popular options here at Wholesome Yum, this dish is the perfect way to spice up a healthy dinner plan.

The rich spice blend in the marinade pairs perfectly with buttery fish, and the pineapple salsa takes it over the top. Plus, it’s all ready in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this Jamaican jerk salmon recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Salmon Fillets – For best flavor, choose skin-on salmon fillets, even if you won’t eat the skin. See my baked salmon recipe to learn how to choose the best salmon for baking.
• Jerk Seasoning – A zippy mix of spices. I prefer to make my own jerk seasoning — which includes onion powder, garlic powder, salt, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, thyme, parsley, red pepper flakes, cumin, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon — but you can use store-bought as well. This seasoning also works great for chicken!
• Lime Juice – Adds a tart, refreshing element, balances the sweet and spicy flavors, and helps to tenderize the fish in the marinade.
• Olive Oil – Locks in the moisture and helps the seasonings stick. Avocado oil would work as well.
• Pineapple Salsa – I used my own homemade pineapple salsa, which is made with pineapple, tomatoes, avocado, red onions, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice, salt, and pepper. You could use mango salsa or even classic fresh tomato salsa instead if you like.

How To Make Jerk Salmon

This section shows how to cook jerk salmon, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Prep. Preheat the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. (You can skip this lining step if you use a baking dish instead.) Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
2. Make the seasoning. If you are not using store-bought seasoning, make the homemade jerk seasoning here.
3. Make the jerk marinade. In a small bowl, mix the jerk seasoning, lime juice, and olive oil.

VARIATION: Make honey jerk salmon!

For a sweeter marinade, add 1 tablespoon of honey (or sugar free honey) to the seasoning mixture.

4. Season. Arrange salmon fillets on the prepared baking pan skin-side down, with space between them. Brush seasoning mixture over the salmon on both sides.

TIP: You can bake right away or marinate for up to 30 minutes.

Don’t marinate jerk salmon for longer than 30 minutes, because the lime juice will start to “cook” the fish and turn it into ceviche.

5. Bake. Cook jerk salmon in the oven until it flakes easily with a fork.
6. Make salsa. While the salmon is baking, make half the recipe for pineapple salsa according to the instructions here. (You could also just make the entire recipe, but half is the perfect amount for the amount of salmon.)

7. Serve. Plate the jerk salmon recipe with pineapple salsa on the side or on top.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Meal prep: Make pineapple salsa and jerk seasoning mix ahead of time. Store the salsa in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Do not marinate the salmon more than 30 minutes ahead of time.
• Reheat: Bake leftover salmon (without salsa) for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F or heat in the microwave using short intervals.
• Freeze: Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or in a bag submerged in cold water on the counter, before reheating.

What To Serve With Jerk Salmon

This flavorful and healthy dish pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few of my recommendations:

• Rice – Jamaican rice and peas or black beans make classic sides for Caribbean jerk salmon, but any rice pairs well. For lighter options, try cauliflower rice (or cilantro lime cauliflower rice) or shirataki rice.
• Potatoes – Make roasted potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes (and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning for more spice!), or choose a less starchy swap like fried radishes, creamy mashed cauliflower, or crispy roasted rutabaga.
• Asparagus – One of the best pairings for fish! You can make classic roasted asparagus, quick sauteed asparagus, crisp grilled asparagus, or even air fryer asparagus.
• Greens – Try sauteed spinach, a sweet mango salad, or simple sauteed cabbage for a quick and easy side.
• Fruity Drinks – Balance this spicy dish with a frosty pina colada or skinny margarita.

More Easy Salmon Recipes

This is one of my favorite fish for easy meals! Try these other flavorful ways to prepare it.

Baked Salmon

Pesto Salmon

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Pan Seared Salmon

5 from 5 votes

Jerk Salmon (With Pineapple Salsa)

This easy jerk salmon recipe with pineapple salsa uses a simple marinade using jerk seasoning, oil, and lime juice. Ready in 30 minutes!

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

Convert:

US Customary – Metric

Un-save Recipe Save Recipe Go Ad-Free

Review Print

Pin

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.

• 4 8-oz Salmon fillets (preferably skin on) ▢
• 1 1/2 tbsp Jerk seasoning ▢
• 2 tbsp Lime juice ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 recipe Pineapple salsa ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

2. Arrange the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, with space between them. Pat dry with paper towels.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the jerk seasoning, lime juice, and olive oil.

4. Brush the seasoning mixture over the salmon on both sides.

5. Bake the salmon for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 135-140 degrees F (57-60 degrees C).

6. While the fish is baking, make half the recipe for pineapple salsa according to the instructions here.

7. Serve jerk salmon with pineapple salsa on the side or on top.

Last Step: Leave A Rating!

Rate this recipe

Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram – I’d love to see it!

Readers Who Liked This Easy Recipe Also Made:

• 
  Oven Baked Salmon Recipe
• 
  Garlic Parmesan Crusted Salmon Recipe
• 
  Pineapple Salsa
• 
  Mango Salsa

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 salmon fillet with 1/2 cup pineapple slasa

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 471

Fat 25.1g

Protein 47.2g

Total Carbs 14.2g

Net Carbs 10.1g

Fiber 4.1g

Sugar 7.4g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: jerk salmon, jerk salmon recipe

Calories: 471 kcal

Want to save this recipe?

Create a free account to save your favorite recipes!

Sign Up To Save Recipes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂