How to Give Salmon a Smoked Flavor

You can add instant smoke flavor by brining salmon.

There are two quick processes you can use to give your salmon a smoked flavor. Hot smoking is a process of bringing the internal salmon temperature up to 140 degrees. The brine process is actually adding the flavor to the salmon by curing it. Both processes will give you the smoked flavor you desire.

Things You'll Need

• Salt
• Liquid smoke
• Smoke cooker
• Apple juice
• 8x10 plank wood
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Pepper
• Assorted herbs
• Food thermometer

Instructions

Brining

1. Prepare a brine. Use water and liquid smoke as the base for your brine. A brine is salt-based solution used to penetrate foods for a more intensified flavor. Liquid smoke is a marinate-style additive that gives foods a smoky taste. Liquid smoke can be found in most grocery stores near marinades.

2. Soak the salmon in the brine for at least two hours--you can let it soak for as long as 12 hours to get the desired smoke flavor. Place the brine in the refrigerator overnight for a more intense flavor.

3. Remove the salmon from the brine solution and cook in the oven or in a smoker for one hour. Add lemon or honey to lessen the salty taste. Be careful not to overcook; doing so will dry the salmon of juices.

Hot Smoking

1. Heat up a smoke cooker to the desired temperature for fish--from 160 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the grates with aluminum foil, because salmon may break as it cooks. Use flavored wood plank like cedar, hickory, or cherry to give your fish the smoky taste you're looking for.

2. Rub the salmon down with brown sugar, add a bit of pepper or herbs to offset the sugar taste.

3. Season the plank by submerging it in salt water for two hours. Place your salmon on the plank and cook the salmon on the plank in the smoker for one hour or until the internal temperature registers 140 degrees.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep salmon moist by making a butter-lemon mix and brushing it over the salmon every 15 minutes.

References

• Food Network: Cedar Plank Salmon
• Secrets of Smoking Salmon
• Fishing Magazine: Hot Smoking Fish
• Smoking Salmon: Smoked Salmon

Resources

• Fine Gourmet Food
• Foodista: Recipe: Brine For Oily Or Strong Tasting Fish