Smoked Salmon Recipe – How To Smoke Salmon

Smoked Salmon gets raves every time I make it!   Learn how easy it is to smoke your own salmon with a home smoker.  The hard part is catching the fish!   

For best results you will need a proper smoker/cooker that has a water tray for moisture.  The smoking method I use is called “hot smoking.”  I vary the ingredients used every time I smoke my salmon.  I like to use whatever herbs I have available.  Fresh from the garden are always the most favorable, but sometime I do not have any herbs available.  Lemon is a popular citrus to use, but sometimes I will substitute with limes.  In other words, I use whatever I have available at the time I am ready to do the smoking.  Be creative and enjoy your own smoked salmon!

close up image of Smoked Salmon

Stop here for more of Linda’s great Salmon Recipes and also How To Select, Buy, and Cook Fish.  Learn the interesting story of Pacific Salmon.

Smoked Salmon Recipe - How To Smoke Salmon:
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Curing Time:
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 5 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: How To Smoke Salmon, Smoked Salmon Recipe
Servings: 4 to 6 servings (depending on size of salmon filet).
Ingredients
Smoked Salmon:
Brine:
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons salt (without iodine) for every 1 quart (4 cups) water
  • 5 quarts water (approximately)
Instructions
  1. Dissolving the Salt:  Using approximately 1 quart of water; heat water to just lukewarm.  Add 3/4 cup salt (according to formula above) to the lukewarm water; stir until dissolved.  

  2. Making the Brine:  Add the warm salt water to approximately 4 quarts of additional cold water (I use my sink as a bowl for this step).

  3. Rinse the salmon steaks in cold water.  Place salmon, skin side down, in brine at for 20 minutes (make sure the fish is entirely covered by the brine).

  4. After 20 minutes, gently remove salmon from brine and lightly rinse both sides with cold water to remove all traces of salt.  Gently pat dry with paper towels.

  5. Let salmon air dry on wire racks for at least 2 hours (this causes a "pellicle" - a tacky glaze on the fish to form. This indicates that it is ready for the smoking process).

    Air Drying Brined Salmon
  6. Prepare your smoker according to manufacturer's directions:

  7. I have an Electric Smoker, and I like to use either alder or cherry wood (but any hard wood will work just fine). Smoking temperature of your smoker should be between 200 to 225 degrees F. (no higher).

    Smoker
  8. The easiest way to help keep the temperature low, is to almost close down the vents.  Keep the top vents wide open, and use the bottom vents to adjust the temperature.

  9. If you have a smoker that does not have any vents, cock the lid of the smoker so there will be a small gap (keep the gap small enough to maintain the correct smoker temperature, while large enough to allow adequate airflow).

  10. Do not open or raise the lid of the smoker any more than you absolutely need to (it reduces the temperature inside every time you do).  Monitor your temperature of your smoker during the smoke time.

  11. Smoking the Salmon:

  12. Place salmon fillets (skin side down) on sheets of aluminum foil and cut the foil around the fillets approximately 1/4-inch bigger (this keeps the fillets from sticking to the racks in the smoker).  I also spray the racks with vegetable oil spray (makes for easier cleaning).

  13. Grate the zest from the limes then squeeze the juice.  In a small bowl, combine lime zest, lime juice, thyme (or other herbs), pepper, salt and olive oil; stir to mix.  Rub the seasoning mix on the salmon fillets; coating them well.

  14. Place salmon fillets (with the aluminum foil) on the oiled smoker rack.  Smoke until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. in thickest part of salmon (salmon will be slightly opaque in thickest part).

  15. Avoid Over Cooking Smoked Salmon!  Remember the salmon continues to cook after it is removed from the smoker (You don't want an overcooked and dried out salmon.  I prefer a moist salmon and not dried out.)

  16. The biggest mistake most people make in cooking salmon is to over cook it.  Resist the temptation to over cook your salmon until it "flakes."  Flaking indicates the salmon is becoming dry and overcooked.  If you do not have a good cooking or meat thermometer, please purchase one and use it for cooking all your meats and fish! You will not be sorry!

  17. Remove salmon fillets from smoker.

  18. Cut extra limes in half and squeeze the juice over the cooked salmon fillets.  Sprinkle lightly with more coarse salt.  Serve salmon either warm, cool, or chilled (refrigerate until ready to serve).  If making ahead, cover airtight and refrigerate up to 3 days.  I also freeze the smoked salmon fillets.  Just freeze in air-tight bags.

    Perfect Smoked Salmon

Thermapen Internal Temperature Cooking ChartI get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer. Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world.  I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.

Thermoworks Smoke ThermometerWhen it comes to smoking meat,It is important to use a meat thermometer with a cable attached to the meat probe tip.  This will allow for the meat probe tip to stay in the Prime Rib during the entire cooking process while the barbecue lid is closed, giving you a continuous temperature reading of the meat to ensure it does not overcook.  I recommend using the Thermoworks Smoke Pro Series 2 Channel High Temp Cooking Probe for continuous monitoring of the meat’s internal temperature in addition to monitoring the smoker’s internal temperature during the smoking and cooking process. Includes wireless receiver to remotely monitor the temperatures from up to 300 feet away.

Thermoworks Signal BBQ Alarm ThermometerNew! Thermoworks Signals™ 4-Channel Wi-Fi/Bluetooth BBQ Alarm Thermometer with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that can seamlessly switch between the two. Signals boasts 4 channels of continuous temperature monitoring and real-time alerts whether your nearby or across town.  Works with both your smart device AND as a stand-alone unit with physical buttons.  

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Comments From Readers:

Just used your smoked salmon recipe on my new smoker for first time.  Never smoked anything before – Outstanding!   My friends and family think my newly acquired smoker skills are the best ever!  Thanks to you and your great directions of course – thanks a bunch!   Salmon is excellent. – Michael Brady (1/8/16)

Comments and Reviews

41 Responses to “Smoked Salmon Recipe – How To Smoke Salmon”

  1. Rahul

    Very informative and useful. I’ll try this out and definitely let you know how it turned out. I was wondering which smoker that is? I couldn’t figure it out from just the picture.

    Btw, Have you tried using apple wood chips? A lot of my buddies recommend them.

    Reply
  2. P. Palmateer

    Using approximately 1 quart of water; heat water to just lukewarm. Add salt to the lukewarm water to make the brine; stir until dissolved. Add warm salt water to approximately an additional 4 quarts cold water
    Question: do I put salt in the 4 qt. of cold water? or just the warm water? Thanks

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      Just like the recipe says: Using approximately 1 quart of water; heat water to just lukewarm. Add salt to the lukewarm water to make the brine; stir until dissolved. Add warm salt water to approximately an additional 4 quarts cold water (I use my sink as a bowl for this step).

      Reply
      • Steve Foley

        So are you using 2 1/2 tbl spoons of salt per quart? 12.5 in total?

        Reply
        • Linda Stradley

          Please read the following from the recipe:

          Brine Formula:  2 1/2 tablespoons plain salt (without iodine) to 1 quart (4 cups) water.

          Using approximately 1 quart of water; heat water to just lukewarm.  Add salt to the lukewarm water to make the brine; stir until dissolved.  Add warm salt water to approximately an additional 4 quarts cold water (I use my sink as a bowl for this step).

          I am using approximately 5 quarts of total water.  Sometimes I use more.  Just figure salt for the 5 quarts (even if you use more water).  5 quarts water x 2.5 tablespoons salt = 12.5 tablespoons of salt.  So – I am using approximately 3/4 cup of salt total.

          Reply
          • Tim Buckler

            Your brining time is 20 mins, but every other recipe seems to have a minimum brining time of 8 hours, up to as much as 36 hours – I confess to being a little confused!!!

          • Linda Stradley

            This recipe calls for a light smoking of the salmon. Brining salmon boost their flavor and moisture. Also helps keep the fish from falling apart. Remember fish is not as dense as beef and over brining can cause the fish to be overwhelmed by a salty taste.

            Brining works a lot faster on fish because the structure of muscle in fish is different than that in meat. I, personally, have found that 20 minutes brining time is enough for this recipe.

  3. Dalton Bradshaw

    When do you skin the salmon?

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      It is up to you. You can either skin your salmon fillets or not before smoking. I have done it both ways.

      Reply
  4. Gulf Diver

    Awesome recipe- am smoking salmon on my Acorn smoker right now largely following this recipe. Have probably made it a dozen times so far, little tweaks here and there, but it always gets raves, and I usually throw extra fillets on to pass to friends who love this too. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  5. Steve lindner

    I have a printed copy of the recipe dated 1/29/2014, it says Brine Formula: 2 1/2 tablespoons salt (without iodine) to1 cup water. This webpage says 2 1/2 tablespoon salt to 1quart water, there is a big difference here, trying to learn how to do this right, had to discard to much fish this year because it is way to salty, help me, Steve

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      I am not sure what you are asking me. My recipe says:

      Brine Formula: 2 1/2 tablespoons plain salt (without iodine) to 1 quart (4 cups) water.

      Using approximately 1 quart of water; heat water to just lukewarm. Add salt to the lukewarm water to make the brine; stir until dissolved. Add warm salt water to approximately an additional 4 quarts cold water (I use my sink as a bowl for this step).

      I am using approximately 5 quarts of total water. Sometimes I use more. Just figure salt for the 5 quarts (even if you use more water). 5 quarts water x 2.5 tablespoons salt = 12.5 tablespoons of salt. So – I am using approximately 3/4 cup of salt total.

      Rinse the salmon steaks in cold water. Place salmon, skin side down, in brine at for 20 minutes (make sure the fish is entirely covered by the brine).

      After 20 minutes, gently remove salmon from brine and lightly rinse both sides with cold water to remove all traces of salt. Gently pat dry with paper towels. Let salmon air dry on wire racks for at least 2 hours (this causes a “pellicle” – a tacky glaze on the fish to form. This indicates that it is ready for the smoking process).

      Reply
  6. Malyn

    What choices do you suggest for making smoke? My first attempt was green tea and brown sugar. It was eadible, but I didn’t rave.

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      I use cherry wood for smoking.

      Reply
      • Rick

        I use Apple and Alder mixed.

        Reply
  7. Nancy O'Donnell

    What brand is your smoker? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      It is a Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker – I purchased it from Costco several years ago.

      Reply
  8. James Frankel

    Just followed this recipe and it came out incredibly well! My Charbroil smoker took about an hour to get the internal temp to 140, but it was perfect – great smoke flavor – nice and moist. Will definitely use this recipe again and again. Thanks!!!

    Reply
  9. Kirk Beckstrand

    I am from the Great Northwest, your recipe is excellent. My wife who is not a salmon fan, as well as her mother. I followed your recipe to the exact specs and now I am the best in the business. My In-Laws said it was better than any salmon they have had on premier Cruise Lines! Awesome Sauce! Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  10. Mark Jennings

    So, I take it there is no issue with leaving the raw salmon out of the refrigerator (on the counter?) to dry for two hours [“Let salmon air dry on wire racks for at least 2 hours …”]?

    Reply
    • Joe W

      I just made this for the first time and had the same concern. I refrigerated mine for the 2 hours and it was great. I wouldn’t suggest letting raw fish at room temp for 2 hours.

      Reply
  11. Lita Watson

    Your recipe makes my mouth watering. After finishing the smoked salmon, if there are some leftovers, how long can it be preserve in refrigerator?

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      One to two days. You could also freeze any remaining smoked salmon.

      Reply
  12. Kim

    Can I let the salmon dry over night after brining? I’m making this for a brunch and plan to smoke early in the morning.

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      I have not tried doing this, so I can not give an answer.

      Reply
  13. Pat

    As we are new to smoking meats I was eager to try a nice salmon filet. Our piece was 1 1/4 lbs for the 3 of us. Went by your recipe for both the brine and the lime marinade, this came out so delicious I was so proud of myself. And I was glad it wasn’t a 12 hour ordeal like some of the other websites instruct. Will def. do this way again next time. Thanks for your help and great recipe.

    Reply
  14. Patrick Ertel

    Oddly written instructions on brining. I’m not sure what is being suggested. Add one quart of warm salty water to four quarts of cold water and then add more salt for a total of 3/4 cup of salt and 5 quarts of water? Why heat one quart of water and not the others?

    Reply
    • Whats Cooking America

      Only a portion of the water needs to be warmed up to dissolve the salt. Then the dissolved salt water is mixed with remaining cold water that the salmon will be soaked in.

      Reply
  15. Colby Denson

    The recipe should say 3/4 cup salt dissolved into 1 quart of warm water. Then add 4 quarts cold water. I had the same trouble understanding the instructions. Recipe turned out great!

    Reply
    • Nancy

      I am using approximately 5 quarts of total water. Sometimes I use more. Just figure salt for the 5 quarts (even if you use more water). 5 quarts water x 2.5 tablespoons salt = 12.5 tablespoons of salt. So – I am using approximately 3/4 cup of salt total.

      Reply
  16. Alan

    Colby is spot on with his comment. The brine solution is not clear at all. After reading it 4-5 times and going back and forth with my wife, we arrived at the same conclusion. Dissolve 3/4 cup of salt in 1 quart of water. Add 4 quarts of cold water to the salt solution.

    Recipe is great, but please consider rewording this. There is a trail of people who have struggled / made similar comments about misunderstanding this section of the directions.

    Reply
    • Whats Cooking America

      Thank you for the feedback. I have reworded the brine instructions so they are easier to understand.

      Reply
  17. Oliver

    I was wondering if you have experience in using Mesquite, I am in two minds about it because I have heard its flavors are really strong.

    Reply
  18. Jack marks

    Fine post. I learn something more difficult on different sites everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d favor to use some with the content on my site whether you do’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your own web blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Whats Cooking America

      Please email me directly to ask for written permission instead of leaving a post comment. Thanks!

      Reply
  19. Damon

    Buying salmon is never a hard work but smoking salmon is a tough job to do. Thanks to the admin to share such recipes. Now I am going to surprise my GF with my cooking of smoked salmon.

    Reply
  20. Mike

    Just made this using a spring chinook salmon I caught from the Clearwater River in Idaho. We like a cedar plank recipe but decided to try this one to mix it up.

    My wife and I love this. What a great recipe. I encourage folks to at least try it. We smoked it using an electric Masterbuilt smoker and apple and alder chips. We pulled it at 142 degrees and let it rest.

    Reply
  21. Garry Root

    Just followed this recipe and it came out incredibly well! My Charbroil smoker took about an hour to get the internal temp to 140, but it was perfect – great smoke flavor – nice and moist. Will definitely use this recipe again and again. Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Nancy

      Glad you liked it! It sounds good I think it’s time to stoke the smoker here at home.
      Nancy

      Reply
  22. Timothy Smith

    This is by far the best smoked salmon we have ever tasted! My friends agree!
    We have a fairly simple smoker and it still worked to perfection. Thanks so much for sharing! I have shared this many times with friends. The all agree it is the best recipe they have found. Kudos!

    Reply
  23. chef Mark K

    Thanks for an excellent salmon smoking procedure; it’s delish. I use apple and cherry wood with some fresh thyme and basil leaves in the hydration pan.
    P.S: Bless you for your patience with some of the questions above.

    Reply

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