Smoked Salmon Fillet – The Keep At Residence Chef

Smoking an entire salmon fillet would possibly sound like a giant process, but it surely’s surprisingly straightforward! And the outcomes are completely value it. We hold ours easy with only a few seasonings and smoke the fillet over a mattress of contemporary lemon slices. This recipe seems completely tender, flaky salmon with a touch of citrus and all of the smoky taste.

Make it a meal with a aspect of Grilled Asparagus and our Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.

This recipe retains it easy so the salmon might be the star. Whether or not you’re making it for a weekend dinner or exhibiting off at your subsequent yard cookout, we’ll stroll you thru precisely easy methods to season, prep, and smoke your fillet for restaurant-quality outcomes at dwelling.

Prepping Your Salmon

Earlier than you season the salmon, do your self a favor and take a minute to test for pin bones. They do attempt to take away all of them earlier than they promote you the fillet, however each infrequently they miss some.

Run your fingers flippantly over the floor of the fillet and also you’ll really feel them in the event that they’re there. Use your fingers, tweezers, or perhaps a clear pair of needle-nose pliers to tug them out. It’s a fast step that makes a giant distinction when it’s time to serve.

Pores and skin on or Off

In case your fillet has pores and skin, you may depart it on or take it off. We like to go away it on whereas smoking, but it surely’s actually as much as you, and it’s not a giant deal in case your fillet is already skinned. The pores and skin helps maintain the fish collectively and makes it simpler to maneuver round, which is just a bit profit for getting it on and off the smoker.

Pellet Suggestions

For salmon, you need to use a mild-flavored wooden in order that it doesn’t overpower the fish. Our go-to advice goes to be candy fruit woods.

Apple or Cherry Pellets: These give a light, fruity smoke. Apple and cherry collectively are an ideal combo for salmon. You get clear smoke, a contact of sweetness, and a gorgeous golden coloration on the fillet.

Maple Pellets: Slightly sweeter and richer than apple or cherry. Nice if you’d like a barely deeper taste in your salmon.

Lemon Slices

These lemon slices aren’t simply there to maintain the salmon from sticking. They decide up smoke taste too! As soon as the salmon’s finished, the lemons can be barely softened and infused with smoky citrus goodness.

You’ll be able to serve them proper alongside the salmon to make all of it fairly, and even squeeze out any of the juice excessive simply earlier than serving.