How to Smoke Herring

Salt is used to make brine.

Smoking fish is a delicious way to cook herring, yet don't assume smoking has preserved the herring, so that it no longer needs refrigeration. Refrigerate your finished product after removing it from the smoker. When smoking herring, only use freshly caught fish that has been properly stored on ice or refrigerated. Different types of fish are prepared in different ways before smoking. With herring, remove the head and gut the fish before proceeding.

Things You'll Need

• Salt
• Large plastic food bag
• Trays
• Smoker

Instructions

1. Add 1 cup of table salt to 7 cups of water to make brine. Do this if smoking 2 to 3 pounds of herring.

2. Pour the brine mixture into a large food storage bag and add the fish. Seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

3. Remove the herring from the salt water and rinse with cold water. Discard the brine.

4. Place fish on greased racks, skin side down.

5. Set in a cool, dry, breezy location for two to three hours. During this time, a membrane-like skin called "pelican" will develop on the surface of the fish. It serves as a protective coating.

6. Start your smoker, following its manufacturer's instructions.

7. Set the fish in the smoker when the temperature reaches about 90 degrees. Smoke for two hours.

8. Increase the temperature to 150 degrees and smoke for four to eight hours. The size of the pieces will determine the smoking time. Thick pieces might take eight hours, while thinner pieces may take half that time.

Tips & Warnings

• To help prevent food-borne illness, during smoking heat the internal temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain the temperature for 30 minutes.

References

• Bobbershop: How to Smoke Fish
• Washington State University Extension: Smoking Fish at Home Safely
• Oregon State University Extension: Smoking Fish at Home Safely