Perfectly smoked salmon is one of those simple exquisite indulgences that is so satisfying. Salmon and smoke are just meant for each other. While the process is both a science and an art, it's really so much easier to make at home than you might think.
The process is simple. The results are decadent.
The goal is to strike the right balance between the delicate flavor of the salmon, the smoke, salt and a little sweetness. When those elements come together in harmony, you get something truly amazing. It's not only wonderful to eat by itself but fantastic as an add-in for numerous dishes.
Now grab some beautiful salmon, fire up your smoker, and you'll be enjoying some amazing smoked salmon in just a few hours.
Before we get into all the details, this recipe is all about hot-smoked salmon, and not for cold-smoked salmon (often called lox), the thinly sliced, almost transparent, salmon you get on a bagel. Hot-smoked salmon is cooked all the way through with smoke and has a delicate, flakey, succulent texture.
The 3 Keys to the Best Smoked Salmon
Let's not overcomplicate things. It's just smoked salmon after all.
- The brine. A simple mix of kosher salt and brown sugar.
- Use the right wood chips to pair with the salmon.
- Do not overcook the salmon. This is the most important part. The key temperatures are a 225° F smoker and 140° F finished internal temperature. If either of the temperatures get too high, the salmon will dry out. Always use a thermometer; I use the Thermoworks Thermapen ONE instant-read probe thermometer.
What You'll Need: Ingredients & Equipment
Three simple ingredients, a smoker and a few tools, will get you on your way.
Ingredients
- Salmon - Go with fresh wild-caught salmon when in season and available. If wild salmon is out of season, fresh-frozen wild salmon will still work great.
Use a whole filet (half of the fish) rather than individual portions, which will make it a little easier to handle and keeps the fish moist as it cooks. - Salt - Diamond kosher salt is what I recommend. If using another, be sure to use the ratios in this salt post to make sure you're seasoning properly.
- Brown Sugar - Just enough to add a hint of sweetness for balance. Granulate sugar can be substituted, but brown sugar will add a hint of caramel flavor from the molasses.
- Wood Chips or Pellets - Alder wood chips or Alder pellets for a pellet smoker give a great flavor to the salmon.
Equipment
- Fish tweezers for removing pin bones from the salmon.
- A smoker such as a Big Green Egg, a Pellet Smoker like a Traeger or an electric smoker like a Masterbuilt.
- Sheet pan or plastic bag for brining.
- Aluminum foil for easy transfer to and from the smoker, as well as easy cleanup.
- Probe Thermometer: Thermoworks Thermapen Instant Read Probe Thermometer and an optional Thermoworks Smoke Alarm to remotely monitor the temperature.
How to Smoke Salmon
Quick step-by-step overview or you can skip down to the full recipe card.
Step 1: Dry Brine It
First, brine the salmon with a simple 2-to-1 ratio of brown sugar and kosher salt for 1 to 2 hours, then wipe off excess liquid with paper towels.
Step 2: Prep the smoker
Set up your smoker for indirect heat smoking and bring the temperature up to 225° F. Use alder wood chips for smoke and a water drip pan in place.
Step 3: Place in the Smoker
Place the salmon skin-side down on a rimmed piece of foil and transfer to the smoker.
Step 4: Smoke the Salmon
Cook in the smoker until the internal temperature reaches 140° F.
Begin testing the temperature after 30 minutes. It can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour to cook, depending on the thickness of the filet.
Step 5:
Rest it for 5 minutes and enjoy.
Pro Tips for Smoking Salmon
- Temperature control of the smoker is crucial. Don't trust your smoker's built-in thermometer gauge, as it might not be calibrated. Use a 2-channel thermometer so you can remotely monitor the temperature of both the smoker and the internal temperature of the salmon.
- Use a drip pan with a few inches of water in it, which helps regulate the smoker's temperature and maintain a humid environment. If your smoker is getting too hot, you can add some ice to the water to cool it down.
- Place the salmon on a sheet of foil with a folded rim. This makes for easy transportation to and from the smoker, as well as making cleanup super easy. While this does prevent smoke from getting to the skin, the skin isn't actually permeable and won't transfer smoke flavor to the flesh anyway.
- Don’t over-smoke the salmon. Adding too much wood can add too much smoke flavor to the salmon.
The Dry Brine
A simple brine is essential for adding flavor and keeping the salmon moist and tender as it cooks with the smoke. This dry brine is just brown sugar and kosher salt. It will pull some moisture out and intensify the flavors of the smoke and salmon.
The sugar adds a hint of sweetness to balance out the flavors. There’s really no need to brine the skin side, as it is a waterproof layer that isn't penetrated by a brine.
This simple smoked salmon brine is a 2-to-1 ratio of brown sugar and Diamond kosher salt.
A note about rinsing after the brine: With this brine using Diamond brand kosher salt, which has less sodium by volume than Morton brand kosher salt, I have never had the need to rinse the brine off. If you are using a different type of salt, you might want to rinse the brine and pat the fish dry before smoking so it doesn't come out too salty.
Learn more about salmon in my Salmon 101 Guide and read about my trip to Cordova, Alaska, to Summer Salmon Camp to learn all about Copper River Salmon.
Hot vs Cold-Smoked Salmon
The techniques for making hot-smoked salmon and cold-smoked salmon are quite different, and the results are totally different as well. Hot-smoked salmon (like the one in this recipe) is cooked via a heat source that is producing hot smoke.
Cold-smoked salmon (often called lox, though officially lox is not smoked) is "cured" with salt and sugar over a longer period of time to preserve it rather than it being "cooked" with heat, and then it is flavored with smoke that is first cooled down before it comes in contact with the fish, to keep it from actually cooking it. The texture remains similar to the raw salmon used in sushi.
It is also possible to cold-smoke salmon and then cook it over direct heat, like in a skillet or on a grill. This is a great option if you don't have a smoker, because you get the smoky flavor, crispy skin and perfectly cooked salmon.
FAQs
Depending on the thickness of your salmon filet. In a 225° F smoker, it can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour for a 2 to 4-pound salmon filet to reach a finished 140° F internal temperature.
There are a lot of factors that determine the time it will take, including the actual temperature in the smoker, the starting temperature of the fish, fat content and the thickness of the filet. Wild salmon is leaner and will generally cook faster than farmed salmon.
It's always better to go off of the internal temperature to determine when it has reached 140° F.
The best tool for monitoring the temperature of the smoker and the fish is a Thermoworks Smoke 2-channel alarm. You can just set the temperature alarm to the temp right before it's done cooking and it will start beeping to let you know to head outside to verify.
Hot-smoked salmon is considered fully cooked, while cold-smoked or cured salmon is not considered cooked, as it does not reach high temperatures. Both methods make the fish safe to eat.
Alder wood is the preferred wood for smoking salmon. Alder trees are native to the Pacific Northwest and along the Copper River in Alaska, where some fo the best wild salmon comes from. Alder gives a wonderful mild flavor to the salmon, but sweet fruit woods like apple and cherry also work great.
Use smaller wood chips rather than chunks for smoking this salmon over charcoal, as it is not a long smoke time.
Best Wood Choice: Alder chips.
Also Great: Apple or Cherry or a combination of them.
Avoid mesquite, hickory and other strong-flavored woods.
Soak the chips in water for 30 minutes prior to smoking. I don't usually soak chips when smoking meats, but I do for salmon. The reason for this is so the wood doesn't all burn up and it will add a little humidity to the environment.
It is a liquid protein called Albumin that coagulates as it comes into contact with heat and becomes visible. It is completely harmless, and you can either eat it or wipe it off with a paper towel prior to serving.
Hot smoked salmon should last up to 1 week in the refrigerator and is best within 6 months if frozen, as long as the fish was fresh when cooked and it was stored properly.
Yes, you absolutely can freeze hot-smoked salmon! Just place portions into vacuum-sealed or Ziplock freezer bags, remove as much air as possible, seal the bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Defrost slowly in the refrigerator or put the bag in a bowl of cool water.
Inspiration for Enjoying Smoked Salmon
Besides simply eating hot smoked on its own, there are so many ways to use it in your favorite dishes. Here are a few ideas for tasty inspiration:
- Make creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta.
- Salmon and scrambled eggs is classic.
- Salmon tacos
- Serve it cold on a platter with lemon wedges, quick pickled red onions, capers, bagels and cream cheese.
- Add it to a bright fresh butter lettuce salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
- Make a cream cheese smoked salmon dip.
- Add it on top of a rice bowl with fresh veggies.
- Use it in eggs benedict with a croissant as the base.
- Eat it with grilled bread, olive oil, shallots and fresh herbs.
Smoked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Diamond kosher salt
- 2-4 lb salmon filet (skin on and pin bones removed)
- 2 cups alder or applewood or cherry smoking chips (soaked in water for charcoal)
Instructions
- Create the dry brine by mixing the sugar and salt together in a small bowl.
- Place the salmon filet skin-side down on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the brine mixture over the entire filet to coat. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for 1 hour to 2 hours before smoking.
- Set up your smoker for indirect cooking with a water bath drip pan in place, and preheat according to the manufacturer's instructions to 225° F.
- While the smoker heats up, remove the salmon from the refrigerator and dry off any excess moisture with paper towels.
- When the smoker starts smoking and reaches 225° F, place the salmon skin-side down on a sheet of foil and transfer to the smoker.
- The salmon is finished smoking when the internal temperature reaches 140° F. Begin checking for doneness after 30 minutes using a probe thermometer.
- Remove from the smoker and rest for 5 minutes before serving, or cover and chill in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Video
Notes
- Use wild-caught salmon when available.
- Use pellets for a pellet smoker. For charcoal, soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes prior to use.
- You don't need to rinse the brine off if using Diamond brand kosher salt, but if using a different type of salt that has higher sodium by volume, you might want to rinse.
- Cook time: It can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour to finish cooking the fish depending on the type and thickness of the salmon and your specific smoker. Wild salmon cooks more quickly because it is leaner.
- The recipe can also be used for steelhead trout.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published Published July 26, 2019. It has been updated in November 2022 with new information and instructions.
Linh Palkovick says
Excellent recipe. Quick, easy, and delicious. This is my favorite and go-to recipe for smoked salmon. I sometimes add cumin, dill, and other seasonings to the dry brine just for kicks and giggles. But the basic brine is great.
Mike says
My wife knows I love salmon, so she picked up some frozen at Costco. Atlantic, probably farm raised, in 6 oz portions; but hey, it's the thought that counts. She also doesn't like me cooking fish in the house, so out to the electric smoker we go. Any suggested alterations to the recipe for these conditions ? I really like the simplicity of this one.
justin says
Hey Mike! Just defrost the frozen salmon first and then proceed with the recipe. It should still work just fine with the smaller portion sizes. Just keep an eye on the internal temperature so you pull it out of the smoker when it's done. Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Joel says
Right on! Just used lemon pepper on a 2.8 lb piece cut into 5. Cooked to 145 with cherrywood in a Traeger. Only took 1 hr. It came out perfect twice!
justin says
Great idea to use lemon pepper on the salmon. Did the cherry wood add a reddish color to the fish?
Joel says
It did not appear to impart any reddish color to the fish at all. Of course there’s a little bit of a rudfy patina on the outside of the fish after cooking, but not much. It really only cooks somewhere between 45 minutes in an hour.
Franco says
Thanks for the recipe! Have you tried smoking the salmon with other woods like peach or maple?
Michelle says
Is the cooking time and temp the same in an electric smoker?
justin says
Hi Michelle. Yep, it is. A lot depends on the size of the salmon filet, so be sure to go by finished temperature of the fish.
Aldo Gomez says
By sea bass do you mean striped bass?--AG
Ignacio says
So good! Used wild salmon from Costco and Traeger with cherry pellets. Tastes exactly like I think smoked salmon should taste!
Ian says
This will be my first time smoking salmon, or any seafood for that matter. I will check back after tonight when it’s an appetizer for our family Christmas.
Todd Fortini says
I smoke a lot of salmon and this simple recipe/ method is my go-to when I want to speed things up and don't have a lot of time to brine, dry, chill ,smoke, etc... OUTSTANDING!!!!
Todd Fortini says
Ps, add dill pickle chips to the salmon..... it's AWESOME!!!!
justin says
Thanks so much, Todd! This sounds amazing. 🙂
Connor Dowling says
Thank you very much. It came out amazing.
justin says
So happy to hear it, Connor!
Chibi says
Could you use this recipe to smoke bluefish, sea bass, or mackerel?
justin says
Hi Chibi. You should be able to but I haven't experimented with those specifically, so I'm not sure how they would turn out. Should be good though. 🙂
Dan says
I’ve tried a lot of recipes over the years some with lots of ingredients. Some with brining overnight. This is a great. I mean great simple and best of all great tasting recipe not too sweet not too salty but just right.
justin says
Thanks for the nice comment, Dan! Glad it was delicious for you too
Krista Heyse says
Great and simple recipe!
Thank you!
How would you recommend reheating this cooking style of salmon?
justin says
Thanks, Krista! So glad you enjoyed it. You can reheat it covered in a low oven (300°F) for 15 to 20 minutes. You can give it a squeeze of lemon juice to add some moisture while it heats. It's also quite good cold. 🙂
Candice says
Oh wow this is delicious! The only smoked salmon I've had before is the kind you buy at the store and enjoy on bagels... this is so different and so wonderfully delicious in it's own way. You have opened my mind and world to a whole new place and I'm so happy about it. Now that I know what hot smoked salmon is, I'm going to make it all the time!
justin says
So glad you enjoyed it, Candice. It is one of my favorites, too. Smoking is really the only way you can add flavor to the salmon without an actual ingredient. How cool is that? 🙂 Happy smoking.
Louis Schoettle says
Followed the temperature guides in our vertical gas smoker, just coated lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper. Used wild cherry for smoke. OMG!!!
justin says
Sounds amazing, Louis! Thanks for sharing.
Mike says
Is it ok to let dry brine 24 hours? Plans are being changed and I already have the brine on.
justin says
Hey Mike! you will be good! let me know how it turns out.
John says
I love this recipe for its simplicity. I've been smoking salmon for many years and tried different recipes, both wet and dry brine, with excellent results along the way with both. I discovered your recipe and have been using it lately because it is simple, quick, straight forward. It doesn't overcomplicate smoking fish nor does it overpower the fish flavor. Thanks for sharing this with us.
justin says
Thanks, John! That's what it's all about around here. Simple and a focus on the main ingredient. Super happy to hear it has been your go-to recipe! 🙂
NANCY says
Excellent!! Followed this recipe exactly. I was hesitant to smoke fish but I got a great deal on a whole side of salmon. Only cooked half of it. Used applewood as that’s what I had. This came out perfect!! Moist and flavorful. Just the right amount of salt and sweet. Thank you for your simple technique and instructions. Will return to this frequently.
justin says
So wonderful to hear, Nancy! Glad you tried it and enjoyed. 🙂
Elijah Parr says
Good
Yamandu Perrone says
Great recipe! Thanks
justin says
Thanks Yamandu! One of my favorites for sure!