5 from 33 votes
How to Smoke Salmon - Easy Smoked Salmon Recipe
How to Smoke Salmon explains a curing and smoking method for a one-pound salmon filet using a salt and dark brown sugar brine, followed by low-temperature smoking with alderwood, apple wood, or pellets. The process produces a flavorful smoked salmon with a tacky pellicle and a delicate smoky aroma.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Additional Time
8 hrs
Total Time
9 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
1
lb
Calories:
7353 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Salad, Breakfast, Appetizer, Condiments, Lunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon filet
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
- alderwood chips or apple wood, or pellets
Instructions
- Pat dry the salmon with a paper towel and place on a rack lined sheet pan.
- In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar and kosher salt. Lightly coat the skin side (about ¼ the amount of the brine). Thoroughly coat the meat side of the salmon with the rest of the brine. Place the salmon back onto the rack, making sure that it’s lifted from the bottom of the sheet pan. Cover with foil.
- Let sit in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight to marinate.
- Rinse off the brine with water and pat dry. Place the salmon back onto the rack uncovered.
- Place back in the fridge for at least 5 hours or until it forms the pellicle. The skin should be tacky and glossy. Remove the fish from the fridge and place it on the counter for about 30 minutes to prepare for even cooking.
- Preheat the smoker to 140-150 °F. Add the fish and close the lid.
- Check the temperature of the smoker and internal temperature of the fish every 20 minutes.
- After about 1 hour (or when the internal temperature reaches about 110-120 °F), raise the temperature to 180 °F and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Remove the fish once it reaches 145 °F.
- Let the fish rest on the counter, uncovered for about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve or cover in an airtight container in the fridge until you want to consume.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
735.3kcal
(37%)
Carbohydrates
23.54g
(8%)
Protein
90.02g
(180%)
Fat
28.76g
(44%)
Saturated Fat
4.45g
(22%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
11.52g
(68%)
Monounsaturated Fat
9.54g
(48%)
Cholesterol
249.48mg
(83%)
Sodium
14159.18mg
(590%)
Potassium
2257.4mg
(48%)
Sugar
23.28g
(47%)
Vitamin A
181.44IU
(4%)
Calcium
82.99mg
(8%)
Iron
3.92mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 lb
Amount Per Serving
Calories 7353
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 735.3kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 23.54g | 8% |
| Protein | 90.02g | 180% |
| Fat | 28.76g | 44% |
| Saturated Fat | 4.45g | 22% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.52g | 68% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9.54g | 48% |
| Cholesterol | 249.48mg | 83% |
| Sodium | 14159.18mg | 590% |
| Potassium | 2257.4mg | 48% |
| Sugar | 23.28g | 47% |
| Vitamin A | 181.44IU | 4% |
| Calcium | 82.99mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3.92mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.