Smoker Salmon

[al_sfbay]

I have smoke this before in my old smoker but this was the 1st time in my SI. IT was super good. I tend to cut the salmon into smaller pieces .25 to .5 lbs each as that seems to be a good serving size.  This also allows you to put the thicker ones on the top shelf.

BRINE
1 C salt
1/2 white sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1 tblsn crushed juniper berries
2 tspn crushed peppercorns
1 gal water & 1 c. ice cubes

Brine for 3-4 hrs.
remove, rinse and pat dry.  put on a rack and air dry until it is sticky to the touch. This forms the pellicle.  I put mine in the refrigerator without a cover.

Place 3oz, small pieces of applewood in the smoker box.  Spray frog mats or a seafood grill will oil/pam.  Place salmon on upper racks unless there is too much in which case put the thicker pieces on the top.  Brush the salmon with a thin coat of maple syrup.  Smoke for 2 hrs at 140 the turn to 150.  Continue to smoke until IT reaches 145.  Then remove and cover loosely with foil to rest.  When cool, you can take a spoon and gently remove  the albumin (white stuff) if you prefer and the vacuum bag it and you are done.

-Allison

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[Smokster]

Hi Allison,

Thanks for posting, I am going to give it a try in the near future.  Approximately how many pounds will your brine cover?

[Pork Belly]

That sounds good Allison. Your base of 1 cup sugar, 1 cup salt, 1 gal water is what my grandmother used in Alaska to brine all meat and fish before it went in the smoke house. Do you toast your juniper and peppercorns? I find that giving them a little heat in a cast iron skillet (until you smell them) wakes them up. Nice job on the fish.

[Libohunden]

I have smoke this before in my old smoker but this was the 1st time in my SI. IT was super good. I tend to cut the salmon into smaller pieces .25 to .5 lbs each as that seems to be a good serving size.  This also allows you to put the thicker ones on the top shelf.

BRINE
1 C salt
1/2 white sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1 tblsn crushed juniper berries
2 tspn crushed peppercorns
1 gal water & 1 c. ice cubes

Brine for 3-4 hrs.
remove, rinse and pat dry.  put on a rack and air dry until it is sticky to the touch. This forms the pellicle.  I put mine in the refrigerator without a cover.

Place 3oz, small pieces of applewood in the smoker box.  Spray frog mats or a seafood grill will oil/pam.  Place salmon on upper racks unless there is too much in which case put the thicker pieces on the top.  Brush the salmon with a thin coat of maple syrup.  Smoke for 2 hrs at 140 the turn to 150.  Continue to smoke until IT reaches 145.  Then remove and cover loosely with foil to rest.  When cool, you can take a spoon and gently remove  the albumin (white stuff) if you prefer and the vacuum bag it and you are done.

-Allison

I tried this recipe today... My first smoke with my brand new Model 3... And I have to say, it was the best salmon I have ever tasted!  I didn't have the peppercorns or berries but it was incredible!  Thank you for posting this recipe.  It's going in my permanent folder!!!!

[mnsmoker]

I have done a similar version of this the only difference I like to dry under  a fan for about 3 hrs. , the drying process is the critical element to this recipe, I have done salmon where I didn't dry and it's not nearly as good, I would encourage everyone to give it a try: Brine for 12 hrs; dry for 3 hrs; smoke @ 145 until an IT of 140, 2 hrs. or so, brush with maple syrup before going in and after 1 hr. you will really impress this recipe.