Smoked Salmon Recipe
My recipe and pictures for slow-smoking Salmon on a grillNot only is smoked Salmon delicious, but it is also good for you. It’s packed with heart healthy Omega-3 oils that fight cardiovascular disease and improve the health of your heart. If your doctor is after you to cut back on the pork and red meat, he’ll be happy to know that you’re adding some healthy fish to your diet.
When it comes to Salmon, you can’t beat Wild Pacific-caught Salmon.
It has more nutrients and essential fish oils than its farm raised cousins, and it just plain taste better. Here’s an easy technique for preparing smoked salmon: Start with a 2-3 lb fillet of fresh salmon. You can buy Salmon with the skin on or off. I’ve cooked it both ways and it makes no difference to the final product. Some people prefer to cook it with the skin on because it helps hold the fish together, and it’s easy to remove when the fish is cooked.Rinse the fillet thoroughly under cold water and pat dry. Sometimes there are a few bones left in the fillet, so you’ll want to feel along it and remove them. A pair of needle nose pliers works great for this. Now place the salmon in a large baking dish skin side down.
In a medium size bowl mix together the Smoked Salmon Recipe dry brine:
- 1 cup Kosher Sea Salt
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon of The BBQ Rub.
- 1 teaspoon Dill Weed
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Minced Onion Flakes
After 3 hours remove the salmon from the refrigerator and rinse the dry brine off under cold water. You’ll immediately notice that the texture of the fish has changed. It should be bright pink in color and have a slight firmness to the touch.
Let the salmon sit out in room temperature air for 30 minutes until its tacky to the touch.
While the salmon is sitting, start your grill. For smoked salmon I like to use a Weber kettle grill set up for indirect cooking. Place about 20-25 unlit coals on each side of the grill. A small aluminum pan can be placed in the center of the fire rack to help keep the coals in a pile and hold liquid for added moisture. Use water, apple juice, or your favorite beer in the pan.
In a charcoal chimney start a dozen or so coals, and when they’re good and hot, place them on top of the unlit coals. Add a few chunks of wood to the top and place the cooking rack on the grill. In 10-15 minutes it is ready for the salmon.
When I’m smoking skinless salmon, I use a sheet of aluminum foil folded into a boat.
Tear off a piece large enough to hold the fillet and fold it on the edges. I try and create a small lip all of the way around the boat. Place the fillet on the foil and transfer it to the grill.
Place the lid on the grill and set back and let it do the work. This method is considered hot smoking salmon; you can also cold smoke it at 170-180 degrees but it will take several hours. On the Weber it only takes about 30 minutes and it’s done.
Check the Smoked Salmon in 15 minutes.
You’ll notice that a white liquid is starting to seep out on top. When it starts to flake, it’s ready to come off the grill.
Just before it’s done you can glaze the salmon if you want
I’ve used a honey-brown sugar glaze, teriyaki glaze, or any other sauce that’s good on fish. I like it plain because the left overs can be used in dips, tossed with pasta or salads, or even added to scrambled eggs. It’s a big hit for brunch parties or as an appetizer. However you decide to eat it, I’m sure that you will enjoy smoked salmon prepared this way.
Malcom Reed
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Hi Malcolm, I want to try this smoked salmon recipe on my pellet grill. What temp would you recommend for a hot smoke?
275 degrees
Hi Malcom, might be good to add this to the recipe above so that others don’t need to go to the comments section to find out. Thanks for all the recipes and videos!
So 275 degrees on smoker for 30 minutes?
I have a Masterbuilt Electric smoker.
Hi Malcom.
Pellet smoker, grill… I want a nice juicy but well smoked salmon… how long and at what temp?
Thanks
Dave
Hey Malcom !
Thinking about smoking around 50 or 60 crappie fillets. Do you have a recipe for them?
No, we always fry crappie
Can you dry brine over night or is that too long? I might not have the extra three hours in the morning
I would brine overnight – it will give you more flavor and make it even better
A coworker is wanting me to smoke him some lemon herb salmon…but I’ve never cooked any before!!.. – I have a big green egg. – How would you recommend me cook it for him? (He’s wanting to use it to top his salads)
You can use this salmon recipe just change out the ingredients.
Malcom, Thanks for the tip! Salmon was awesome. I kept brine on overnight, about 18 hrs. Salmon was a lil salty but still really good. I did use coarse Kosher salt & a few other spices. Next weekend gonna to it again but with only a 3 hr sit.
Shawn…
Hi. Malcom
Can I use hickory pellets to sample salmon ? What temp and how long ?
Thank You. Mike.
You can use hickory. I would cook it hotter and get it done, probably will take 20-30 minutes.
Hey Malcom! Been following you for a while and am following this recipe exactly except I’m going to bring overnight. I was thinking of doing a cold smoke tomorrow. I have cherry and hickory wood. What would you recommend? Also I’m smoking on a Traegur offset smoker. How long would you recommend for a cold smoke? I saw you said 160-170 degrees. What would be the exact temp you would do it at and for how long? My filet is 3.3 pounds. Thanks malcom! Love the channel and the website. Planning on buying some of your rubs soon as I use very similar rubs. Thanks for the input!
I would use cherry for a cold smoke – hickory can be harsh.