Smoked Bonito
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Brine Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
11 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
2 pounds
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Calories
862 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
American
Smoked Bonito
Description
This Smoked Bonito recipe starts by soaking the skin-on fillets in a brine made from water, kosher salt, and brown sugar for several hours, which seasons and firms the fish. After brining, the fillets rest uncovered to dry the surface, aiding smoke adhesion and forming a pellicle. The fish is then oiled lightly and placed on smoker grates, smoking over low temperature—around 165°F—for up to three hours using alder or fruit woods such as apple or cherry. The result is a bronze-toned, delicately smoked fish with enhanced flavor.
The smoked bonito can be consumed immediately warm or cooled to room temperature and vacuum sealed for storage in the refrigerator up to a week or frozen for longer keeping. Its robust flavor makes it suitable for eating plain, incorporating into dishes, or using as a protein-rich snack.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bonito fillet skin on
- 3 quarts water
- 3/4 cup kosher salt or sea salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Dissolve the salt an sugar in the water. Soak the bonito fillets in this brine, in the fridge, for 4 to 12 hours; 8 hours is my sweet spot.
- Remove the fish from the brine and set on a rack over a tray, skin side down. Let these rest, uncovered, in the fridge up to a day or two, but at least 1 hour. You can also let them rest at cool room temperature in a breezy place, like under a ceiling fan or near an open window, for an hour or two.
- Get your smoker ready. I prefer alder wood here, but any fruit wood is nice, too, apple and cherry especially. Slick the skins of the bonito with some oil and lay them on the smoker grates. Smoke over low heat, as low as you can go, for up to 3 hours, or until they are nicely bronzed. I set my Traeger at 165F for this.
- Remove the fish from the smoker and let cool to room temperature before vacuum sealing and storing. They will keep in the fridge a week, and up to a year in the freezer. Or, eat them hot!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2pounds
Amount Per Serving
Calories 862 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 862kcal | 43% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 106g | 212% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 172mg | 57% |
| Sodium | 42703mg | 1779% |
| Potassium | 1225mg | 26% |
| Sugar | 53g | 106% |
| Vitamin A | 9902IU | 198% |
| Calcium | 151mg | 15% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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