An easy to follow, step by step guide to smoking salmon. A rub that makes the most delicious, moist smoked salmon ever.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved smoked fish. This rub would work on all sorts of fish, but today, I am sharing it with my favorite, salmon. There is just something about smoked salmon that I adore. First off, look at the color! It’s just beautiful. A nice piece of this fish, some crackers, maybe even some cheese or even just cream cheese, and you have appetizers that will disappear in a flash.

^^Love It? PIN It! ^^

Last week I shared a recipe for Smoked Salmon Pasta. It’s so easy to make, it’s almost silly. Literally – dinner done from start to finish in less than 20 minutes. I’m not sure why I did this “backwards,” but I shared the pasta then the main component, smoked salmon. I never said I was the smartest woman … but either way, you are getting both recipes today!

We celebrated my Son’s graduation from University of Nebraska at Lincoln this past weekend. I am one proud mama, guys. He worked so hard, and got his degree, and even landed a job at his top pick for employers after school. We had our family and a few of his friends over for cocktails and lots of appetizers. He requested Chips & Salsa from our Mexican grocery store, Jalapeño Poppers, A meat and cheese tray, hamburger dip made by his God-Mother, a relish tray (this kid loves his veggies!) this smoked salmon, and for his sweet tooth, his favorite Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies and Bubblegum Cupcakes. Never a shortage of good food.

I am going to show you easy step by step instructions to get these amazing results for Smoked Salmon.

What do I need to make this Smoked Salmon?

2.5- 3 pound salmon filet
brown and granulated sugar
molasass
kosher salt
black peppercorns

This recipe I am using uses dark brown sugar. I went to the pantry, and only had light brown sugar. I added some molasses to the light brown sugar and was so pleased with the results, I will do it this way every time. The flavor was just so much better.

Granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, kosher salt and fresh black peppercorns.

This makes your rub. Get it all stirred together using a fork.

Lay two pieces of heavy duty foil on your counter, top it with a piece of plastic wrap, big enough to hold your salmon filet. Sprinkle half of your rub and spread it on the plastic wrap, then lay your salmon filet on top. I always buy my salmon filets at Costco. They are reasonable, and you get a nice big piece. If your salmon has skin on one side, that will be on the bottom.

Sprinkle and coat the top of the salmon with the remaining rub.

Wrap the salmon up tightly on a cookie sheet, and place it in the fridge. In 12 hours, flip it over. Back in the fridge for another 12 hours.

Now it’s time to rinse it. Plus it’s funny to say “I really need to go, I’ve got to go home and wash my salmon.” — yes, that really happened. and Yes, I got some strange looks! After you wash it, pat it dry on both side, return it to the cookie sheet and place it in a cool dry place over night. (not the fridge)

When it’s time to smoke your salmon, place it on a couple layers of heavy duty foil with the edges turned up. We used Alder pellets to smoke the salmon, but mesquite works well, too. The temperature on the smoker was set to 200 degrees.

It’s done when the thickest part of the salmon hits an internal temperature of 160 degrees. This was done in about 2 hours.

You can plate it and eat it right away, or chill it before eating. It’s delicious both ways.

Keep any leftovers in the fridge. It’s amazing stirred into whipped cream cheese and spread on bagels, or in that smoked salmon pasta I spoke of earlier.

Who’s ready to smoke some salmon??

4.37 from 11 votes

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