This smoked salmon recipe makes tender fish with a pure smoky flavor! Here’s how to smoke salmon and ways to use it in recipes.
One of the best delicacies in the world is smoked fish! Typically we buy it since it’s so widely available in the grocery store, but got an outdoor smoker? You can make your own at home. Now that we have a smoker, Alex has spent a while honing this method. Here’s our best smoked salmon recipe that’s out of this world good. It has a tender, buttery texture and a rich, smoky flavor that is undeniably irresistible. Here’s how to smoke salmon!
Equipment and ingredients for smoked salmon
It might sound daunting, but it’s very simple to make your own smoked salmon at home. You’ll need an outdoor smoker, but other than that there’s no special equipment required. Here’s what you’ll need to smoke salmon:
- Outdoor smoker of any brand
- Smoking chunks or chips: we like to use a combination of cherry and hickory wood
- Salmon fillets: skin on! Use wild caught if possible.
- Brown sugar
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
How to smoke salmon
Smoked salmon is simple: the most important thing you’ll need for this recipe is time. You’ll need to prepare the salmon the day before you want to smoke using a process called dry brining. Dry brining is salting and resting food before cooking it, which makes for deeply seasoned, juicy salmon without diluting the flavor (which can happen with a wet brine or marinade). Here’s how to smoke salmon:
- The day before (dry brine): Sprinkle the salmon fillets with salt, brown sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder (see the recipe below for quantities). Place it on a platter uncovered in the refrigerator 4 to 6 hours. Then rinse and refrigerate it uncovered overnight.
- The day of smoking: Heat an outdoor smoker to 200°F. Place the salmon in the smoker and cook for 45 minutes to 75 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 135°F.
Tips on outdoor smokers and pellets
Any outdoor smoker is suitable for this recipe. Keep in mind that the timing can vary based on the thickness of your salmon fillet and your specific smoker. We use a temperature-controlled smoker from Masterbuilt, which works wonderfully. But you can use any brand like Traeger or others, including both manual and automatic smokers.
Feel free to explore different woods to find your favorite flavor. While a lighter fruit wood is a popular choice for salmon, we favor a slightly more robust flavor with a mix of cherry and hickory. For a consistent smoke throughout the cooking process, we layer chunks of wood with charcoal in our smoker.
Why it’s better homemade
Smoked salmon from the store can be incredibly delicious, and we’ve found some great brands. However, homemade salmon is like taking 10 steps up. The flavor is beautifully intense, and you can vary the flavors depending on the wood you use. You can also vary the seasonings according to your liking.
You’ll find when you serve it, no one will be able to resist this smoked salmon! It did not last long at our house.
Hot smoked vs cold smoked (lox)
This smoked salmon recipe is for hot smoked salmon. Hot smoking flavors the salmon and cooks it at the same time, whereas cold smoking imparts flavors without fully cooking it. Cold smoked salmon is typically cooked at 90°F. This gives cold smoked salmon (lox) a buttery, smooth texture whereas hot smoked salmon is flaky and cooked through.
Flavor variations
There are lots of ways to vary this smoked salmon recipe. You can use lighter smoking chips like apple or cherry to have a more subtle flavor. We’ve tried this recipe with simple salt and pepper and it tastes great too! But to us, the brown sugar is essential for bringing out the earthy flavor of this fish.
Storage info
How to store homemade smoked salmon? Place it in a sealed container or plastic bag and refrigerate it for up to 10 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month (we haven’t tested this, because it’s eaten too quickly in our house!).
Smoked salmon recipes
Smoked salmon is perfect for eating on its own: it works for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner! But it’s extra delicious incorporated into recipes. Here are our top smoked salmon recipes to use up leftovers:
What's better than a good old bagel with smoked salmon? Also known as lox, smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and veggies always hits the spot. Use plain cream cheese or this homemade herby version.
The classic combination of smoked salmon, dill, cucumber and cream cheese is a hit every time: the perfect crowd pleasing appetizer! Mix the cream cheese with fresh dill, green onion and Dijon for a rich, zingy pop.
There’s just something about smoked salmon anything for breakfast or brunch that feels luxurious. Here’s a fun idea that takes minutes to whip up but feels elegant: put it in an omelette! The burst of flavor is unreal: smoky, buttery salmon against tender eggs, a burst of salty feta and burst from fresh chives.
Imagine: chewy al dente pasta, bathed with a creamy sauce punctuated by bright lemon zest and herbaceous fresh dill. It’s hard not to be head over heels about this one! It’s extremely versatile: try it as an easy dinner, a fun brunch idea or picnic pasta salad.
Salmon toast is pure and simple: a toast of artisan bread loaded with fluffy whipped ricotta, smoked salmon, capers and fresh dill. The electric pink salmon is stunning against the delicate green dill fronds. Each bite is a burst of smoky, creamy, rich, briny, salty and fresh!
This creamy dip has a bit of a retro vibe, which makes it all the more endearing. It's chock full of rich flavor: hearty cream cheese, punchy Dijon, and that intensely smoky flavor that only fresh smoked salmon brings. Mix it up in 5 minutes, and it’s good for days in the fridge.
Here's a genius smoked salmon recipe that makes a fast dinner or healthy lunch with no cooking required. It’s healthy, fresh, and 100% cook free. Imagine: savory smoked salmon, fresh greens, fluffy goat cheese dollops and a tangy shallot vinaigrette.
Got smoked salmon? Throw it in a sandwich! It takes less than 10 minutes to whip up, layering it with cream cheese and crunchy veggies. It’s perfect for no-think weeknight dinners!
The flavor is bold, creamy, smoky, and herby all at once, and makes the ideal slather for bagels, sandwiches, toasts, and more. Serve it as part of bagel brunch spread, on toast for a light dinner, or on crackers as an easy lunch.
This smoked salmon recipe is…
Gluten-free, dairy-free and pescatarian.
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Smoked Salmon Recipe
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Prep Time: Overnight -
Cook Time: 1 hour
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Total Time: 59 minute
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Yield: ¾ pound
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Pin RecipeDescription
This smoked salmon recipe makes tender fish with a pure smoky flavor! Here’s how to smoke salmon and ways to use it in recipes.
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound salmon fillets, skin on (wild if possible)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Smoking chips: we like a mix of cherry and hickory
Instructions
- The day before (dry brine): Sprinkle the salt, brown sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder over the salmon. Place it on a platter uncovered in the refrigerator 4 to 6 hours. Then rinse, pat dry and refrigerate it uncovered overnight.
- The day of smoking: Heat an outdoor smoker to 200°F with smoker chips, chunks or pellets (we prefer a mix of cherry and hickory wood). Place the salmon in the smoker and cook for 45 minutes to 75 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. Place it in a sealed container and refrigerate up to 10 days.
Notes
If you prefer, you can cover the salmon loosely in the refrigerator, just make sure that it is exposed to air.
Category: Essentials
Method: Smoked
Cuisine: Seafood- Diet: Gluten Free
Keywords: Smoked salmon, smoked salmon recipe, smoked salmon recipes, how to smoke salmon
