If you made a New Years resolution to eat healthier or include more variety in your everyday life but you feel like you’re running out of steam, I’ve got your back. Not only is salmon one of my favorite things to cook on the grill, but this Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites recipe is also a great way to get in those Omega-3 fatty acids while still packing in a ton of flavor!
If you loved my Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites recipe a while back, you’ll also enjoy this simple and easy recipe. It’s the perfect combination of sophistication and comfort flavors! If you’d like, you can use your favorite BBQ sauce instead of making it, but I love making my own at home to achieve the perfect combo of flavors.
These Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites are perfect for tailgates, a weeknight dinner, or just as a snack. They’re wrapped in bacon, then glazed with a homemade Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce, and smoked til tender and amazing. You’ll be licking all your fingers to get every last bit of flavor!
Recipe:
Servings: 4 People
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites Ingredients:
Salmon:
- 1 whole side Salmon, cubed
- ½ cup Maple Bourbon Seasoning
- 12 Bacon Slices, cut in half
- Sliced Jalapeños
Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Yellow Mustard
- 2.5 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1.5 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1.5 tbsp White Vinegar
- 2 oz Favorite Bourbon
How to Make Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites
Begin by removing the skin of your salmon and slicing it into 1.5-2” cubes. Coat the outside of the salmon in my Maple Bourbon Seasoning (or your favorite BBQ seasoning). Next, wrap each of the salmon cubes with ½ strip of thick bacon and secure it with a tooth pick.
If you love this Maple Bourbon seasoning like I do, then you should check out these recipes: Maple Bourbon Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Maple Bourbon Spatchcock Turkey and Spicy Maple Bourbon Candied Bacon.
Preheat your grill to 350F for direct cooking. Place a cast iron skillet on the grill for about 2-3 minutes to heat up.
Carefully add the bourbon to the skillet to simmer for 1 minute. Next, add the rest of the Maple Bourbon Glaze ingredients to the large skillet, mix them in with the bourbon, and simmer over medium-low heat until thickened (about 10 minutes). Once done, pull off and keep warm.
Salmon Bites
Heat up your smoker to medium heat (about 250F) for indirect cooking. Add some wood chips or wood chunks for more of a smoky flavor if desired.
Add your salmon cubes to the smoker to cook until they reach an internal temperature of 145F (about 30-40 minutes, cooking time can vary). As they cook, baste the outside with Maple Bourbon BBQ Glaze every 10 minutes. Once they are fully cooked, pull off and let rest for 5 minutes.
Finish it off by placing the jalapeno slices on top of the salmon. Serve and enjoy!
What Goes Well With Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites?
These salmon bites are good on their own– the whole dish brings a delicious savory flavor. But if you’d like to balance the flavors out and make them into a full meal, I suggest pairing them with some brown rice, brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.
For more salmon recipes, check out my Green Chili Salmon Pinwheels, Baked Wood Plank Salmon and Sweet Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon.
Can I Cook Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites in the Oven?
There are many maple bacon bourbon salmon recipes online that are baked in the oven, so that is definitely an option. I really prefer smoking and grilling my salmon instead, because that process brings an authentic smoky flavor to the dish.
If you’re looking for more delicious recipes, then grab my cookbook Food by Fire and/or Flavor by Fire. Put your grill master skills to the test and impress your friends and family with these flame-broiled favorites.
Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites
Ingredients
Salmon:
- 1 whole side Salmon cubed
- ½ cup Maple Bourbon Seasoning
- 12 Bacon Slices cut in half
- Sliced Jalapenos
Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Yellow Mustard
- 2.5 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1.5 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1.5 tbsp White Vinegar
- 2 oz Favorite Bourbon
Instructions
- Begin by removing the skin of your salmon and slicing into 1.5-2” cubes. Next, wrap each salmon cube with ½ strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Coat the outside of the salmon in my Maple Bourbon Seasoning (or your favorite BBQ Rub) and set to the side until ready to use.
- Preheat a grill to 350F for direct cooking. Add a cast iron skillet 2 minutes before to heat up.
- Carefully add the bourbon to the skillet to simmer for 1 minute. Next, add the rest of the Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce ingredients to the skillet and simmer over medium-low heat until thickened (about 10 minutes). Once done, pull off and keep warm.
- Heat up your smoker to 250F for indirect cooking. Add some wood chips or wood chunks for added flavor if desired.
- Add your salmon to the smoker to cook until about 145F internal (about 30-40 minutes). As the salmon cooks, baste the outside with BBQ Sauce every 10 minutes. Once the salmon is done, pull off and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Finish the salmon with the jalapeno slices on top. Serve and enjoy!
