How to Smoke Salmon Like a Pro

Smoking salmon is a culinary masterpiece, but if you’ve never tried it before, the process might seem a bit daunting. Don’t worry, you’ve got this! Here's your step-by-step guide to smoking this omega-3-rich, mouthwatering fish to perfection.

Choosing the Right Salmon for Smoking

Centuries ago, Native American tribes smoked salmon to preserve it for longer storage. Some tribes in the Pacific Northwest still use traditional methods, hanging seasoned fillets over hot coals in a smoky pit.

While backyard grills can achieve similar results, you can also smoke salmon on your stovetop or in the oven. Before you get started, it's important to select the right type of salmon. Here’s a quick guide to the different salmon species commonly found in stores or in the frozen aisle:

How to Smoke Salmon at Home

1. Season and Cure

For seasoning, you can choose from a wet brine for smoked salmon, a dry rub, or a combination of both. A brine not only imparts a salty flavor but also helps remove impurities from the fish. Many dry rubs include a bit of sugar, which caramelizes as the fish smokes, giving it a beautiful, bronzed finish. Remember, the fish should cure in the fridge for at least four hours or overnight for the best results.

2. Dry the Salmon

After curing your salmon, the next step is to allow it to dry, forming a pellicle. This is a thin, tacky layer on the surface that helps the smoky flavor stick to the fish during the smoking process.

To dry your salmon, first rinse off the cure mixture and gently pat it dry. Then, place the salmon on a cooling rack over a sheet pan and refrigerate. Let it sit and dry overnight.

3. Prepare the Grill

The best method for smoking salmon is known as "hot smoking," which involves cooking the fish at temperatures of 200°F or higher—surprisingly low for grilling meats. Cold smoking is not recommended unless you have commercial-grade equipment, as the lower temperatures do not reach a high enough level to eliminate harmful bacteria.

To smoke salmon using the hot smoking method at home, create a fire on one side of the grill, leaving the opposite side as the 'cool' zone where the fish will cook. The heat from the gas or charcoal fire should be sufficient to activate the wood chips, which will infuse the fish with flavor.

4. Soak Wood Chips or Cedar Planks

Wood chips for smoking are easy to find in most hardware stores, some grocery stores, and online. Popular choices for smoking salmon include alder and applewood chips, as they complement the fish's delicate flavor without overpowering it.

Barbecue expert Steven Raichlen suggests soaking wood chips or cedar planks in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. Once soaked, place the wood chips directly on the hot coals of a charcoal grill or wrap them in foil and place them on a gas flame or in a smoker. Some people like to soak chips in bourbon or vinegar for extra flavor, though those notes are often subtle—better to save the bourbon for your Manhattan cocktail!

5. Smoke the Salmon

Place the salmon skin-side down on the cool side of the grill (or on a cedar plank on the cool side if you're using one), where it will cook slowly while absorbing the smoky flavors. Cover with the lid. The salmon will usually take between 30 to 45 minutes to cook through. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the fish should reach 140°F.

Expert Tips:

• Chef John suggests smoking salmon on top of sliced fennel to prevent the fish from sticking to the grate.
• Cookbook author Meathead Goldwyn advises placing each fillet, skin side down, on a piece of paper cut to roughly the same size of the fish. When it cools, the skin peels off when the paper is removed. Neat trick!

How to Store and Enjoy Smoked Salmon

Once smoked, store the salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. However, it likely won’t last that long, as it’s irresistibly delicious. Try it in pasta dishes, as the star ingredient in Eggs Benedict, or as part of an amazing spread at your next dinner party that guests will rave about.

Get creative with your salmon by exploring these Smoked Salmon Recipes.