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Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites Recipe

Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 12 reviews

These Maple Bacon Bourbon Salmon Bites combine tender cubes of salmon wrapped in crispy bacon, flavored with a sweet and smoky maple bourbon BBQ sauce, and finished with a spicy kick from fresh jalapenos. Perfect as an appetizer or a savory snack, they are grilled and smoked to perfection for a flavorful and indulgent bite-sized treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon Bites

  • 1 whole side Salmon, cut into 1.5–2” cubes, skin removed
  • 12 Bacon slices, cut in half (24 half strips)
  • ½ cup Maple Bourbon Seasoning (or favorite BBQ rub)
  • Sliced Jalapenos, for topping

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 Bourbon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salmon Bites: Remove the skin from the salmon and cut it into 1.5-2 inch cubes. Wrap each cube with half a strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Coat each wrapped cube evenly with the maple bourbon seasoning or your favorite BBQ rub, then set aside.
  2. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to 350°F for direct cooking and place a cast iron skillet on it about 2 minutes before you start cooking, so it gets hot.
  3. Make the Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce: Carefully pour the bourbon into the hot cast iron skillet and let it simmer for 1 minute to burn off some alcohol. Add ketchup, yellow mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar, and white vinegar to the skillet. Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
  4. Heat the Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 250°F for indirect cooking. Add your choice of wood chips or chunks to infuse extra smoky flavor.
  5. Smoke the Salmon Bites: Place the salmon bites in the smoker and cook until they reach an internal temperature of about 145°F, approximately 30-40 minutes. Baste the salmon with the maple bourbon BBQ sauce every 10 minutes during cooking to build up a flavorful glaze. Remove from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve: Top each salmon bite with sliced jalapenos for a spicy finish. Serve warm and enjoy these delicious, bite-sized treats.

Notes

  • Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best flavor and texture.
  • Adjust the amount of jalapeno slices based on your preferred level of heat.
  • If you don’t have a smoker, you can finish cooking on a grill with indirect heat and add wood chips for smoke.
  • Make sure to monitor the internal temperature of salmon closely to avoid overcooking.
  • For a non-alcoholic version, substitute bourbon with apple juice or additional vinegar and spices.

Nutrition

Keywords: Maple Bourbon Salmon Bites, bacon wrapped salmon, smoked salmon appetizer, maple bourbon BBQ sauce, grilled salmon bites