18 Comments Smoked Salmon
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Smoked Salmon is the perfect dinner on your Traeger Smoker! This Traeger Smoked Salmon recipe is full of flavor and absolutely amazing. I’ll teach you exactly how to smoke the perfect salmon on an electric smoker in easy to follow step-by-step instructions. This salmon recipe starts with an easy brine and ends in the BEST salmon ever!
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The BEST Smoked Salmon!
There’s nothing quite like smoked salmon during the summer months. But honestly, this recipe makes it so simple that you can enjoy that taste and flavor all year long!
If you’re looking for the perfect meal to relax after a long day at work, you’ll love the taste and flavor that this smoked salmon dish offers.
Simple cooking techniques paired up with simple cooking methods create a truly unforgettable and delicious meal.
Smoked Salmon Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients and the directions. For the full recipe continue scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
For the dry brine:
- Brown sugar
- Kosher Salt
For the seasoning:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Dried parsley
Salmon:
- Salmon
How to Smoke Salmon
Mix all bring ingredients together.
Lay salmon on paper towel and pat dry.
In a pan with sides sprinkle half of the dry brine on the bottom. Place salmon on top of dry brine and cover with the rest of the dry brine. Place in the fridge overnight.
In the morning take the salmon out of the brine and rinse in cold water. Pat dry with a paper towel and place back on a clean baking sheet. Place in the fridge and let sit for 2-3 hours or until dry and sticky to the touch. This develops the pellicle seal and creates a sticky surface for the smoke to adhere too.
Next, mix together the seasonings and rub on the salmon.
Preheat smoker to 180 degrees and place salmon on smoker grates. You’re going to want to smoke until internal temp reaches 135 -140 degrees F.
Let cool for an hour, then place in the fridge.
Smoked Salmon FAQs!
Here are some answers to the common questions that people have about salmon! If you have a question that isn’t listed comment below and we will do our best to get your questions answered!
Is smoked Salmon healthy?
It is! Eating salmon is a healthy option because it’s low in fats and high in other nutrients. Plus, many people consider eating fish as a good boost for the brain as well.
Why do I need to brine my smoked salmon?
Brining your salmon helps to eliminate out any excess moisture that might be hiding in there. You don’t want to have a “wet” salmon, trying to smoke it.
What is pellicle?
The pellicle is a thin skin that’s found on the outside of meats that allows that smoky flavor to remain and really absorb into the meat of the animal.
What temperature should I smoke salmon too?
A nice slow and easy smoking temperature is 180 degrees. This allows the smoke to really penetrate while heating up the salmon at a slow and steady temperature.
Is Smoked Salmon cooked?
With the internal temperature of this cooked salmon recipe only reaching 135 – 140 degrees, this is actually considered a “cold smoke” recipe and the salmon isn’t fully cooked.
What to do with leftover smoked salmon
There are so many great ways that you can use leftover salmon! Create salmon patties to eat with a nice side dish of vegetables, or add it to your salad to have more protein.
How long does smoked salmon last?
Once smoked, it should last for up to 10 days as long as you keep in stored properly in your refrigerator.
Pair your Smoked Salmon with these Smoked Side Dishes!
- Smoked Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Smoked Deviled Eggs
- Smoked Baked Potatoes
- Easy Smoked Vegetables
- Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Leftover Smoked Salmon recipes!
- Smoked Salmon Pasta
- Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Chowder
- Lemon Pepper Smoked Salmon
- Smoked Pepper Dip
I know you’ll love this smoked salmon recipe! Be sure and leave me a five star rating below and when you make this please take a moment and tag me on Instagram @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling – I look forward to seeing all of your grilled goodness!
Smoked Salmon Recipe
Smoked salmon startst with an easy overnight brine. Learn how to smoke the perfect salmon on an electric smoker in easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Dry Brine
- 4 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. kosher salt
Seasoning
- 3 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tsp onion powder
- 3 tsp kosher salt
- 3 tsp dried parsley
Salmon
- 5 lb salmon cut into five sections
Instructions
- In a bowl mix together the dry brine ingredients.
- Take salmon out of package and pat dry with paper towel.
- In a pan with sides sprinkle half of dry brine on the bottom. Place salmon on top of dry brine and cover with the rest of the dry brine. Place in the fridge overnight.
- In the morning take the salmon out of the brine and rinse in cold water. Pat dry with paper towel and place back on a clean baking sheet. Place in the fridge and let sit for 2-3 hours or until dry and sticky to the touch. This develops the pellicle seal and creates a sticky surface for the smoke to adhere too.
- In a small bowl mix together seasoning. Rub salmon with seasonings.
- Preheat smoker to 180 degree F according to manufacturer's directions. Place salmon on smoker grates and smoke until internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F. This should take about 2 hours depending on how big your salmon pieces are.
- Cool on a rack for an hour and then refrigerate or enjoy.
- To store wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in the fridge. It will keep up to 10 days.
Notes
The nutrition is based on the dry brine being entirely consumed which is not the case.
Nutrition
Calories: 573kcalCarbohydrates: 78gProtein: 38gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 8329mgPotassium: 1049mgFiber: 1gSugar: 77gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 2.2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Have not made a lot on the Traeger, but I am willing to bet this is absolutely delicious!
It’s so delicious you have to try it!
How wonderful to learn how to do something like this!
And your tips are so easy to follow- thank you!
So glad the post was helpful!
I LOVE this recipe, my family can eat salmon every day!
Ditto to that!
Sounds easy to make which is always alright with me.
We love easy recipes too!
Great tips about smoking salmon fish. Love this recipe. Thank you, Samuel
You’re welcome!
This smoked-salmon tasted amazing! My whole family loved it!!
So happy they were a hit!
I am going to be trying this in the next two days. I bought wild caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon and want to smoke some of it. This looks like the perfect recipe for me and my electric smoker. I am anxious to see how wonderful it will be.
I hope you enjoy it!
My husband got me a smoker for my birthday, so I was super excited to try this recipe. I invested in some really high-quality, wild-caught salmon (from these guys, if anybody else is ordering online: https://lummiislandwild.com/product-category/smoked-salmon/), and the meal turned out beautifully. So delicious. Five stars. 🙂
That is wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks for sharing Robin!
Tried it best darn smoked salmon ever. Making more for christmas gifts.
Excellent! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!