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I really don't care for the saltiness of brined smoked salmon. I love grilled salmon and would like to add some extra smoke. Does anyone here simply smoke their salmon without any any preparation (brine, rub), using only a sprig of dill or rosemary? If so, would you please share your technique, weight of fillets, cooking time and amount and species of wood? Using the CS of course.

TIA!
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I am sorry to add that on this topic around our house the charcoal grill won out, due to the nice grill marks it puts on the Salmon. We brush with olive oil and liberally apply lemmon pepper and grill until done usually about six minutes per side, the fillets are about 9 to 10 ounces and center cut; usually about a inch and a quarter thick.
I usually use some olive oil and course salt and pepper to taste. Smoke to about 140 deg. I usually use a 250 deg setting.

I will sometimes throw the wood in the box and turn the smokette on while I get the fish ready, that way I have smoke as soon as I put it in.

Cherry, and hickory are my favorites, never had a alder to try.

I have also substituted some seseme oil or something called mongolian fire oil (found in the asian section of the store).

Just try to cook it fast as not to dry it out.

dave
I do similar, just smoke at fillets or steaks at 250F until they flake, around an hour. Spray the fish with some cooking spray to keep it from sticking, or if the pieces are small put them on squares of greased foil so they can go right on my plate.

I'd think you could also smoke for around 1/2 hour and then finish on a hot grill. Haven't tried that, but might tonight with a halibut steak.
You might try this, it works in a smoker too--Less the liquid smoke of course

Pacific Northwest Salmon


8 tablespoons unsalted butter


1/3 cup honey


1/3 cup (packed) brown sugar


2 tablespoons lemon juice


1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring


3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes


Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until smooth, five to seven minutes. Cool to room temperature. Pour cooled marinade over one center cut filet (about 2 pounds) in a dish just large enough to hold it. Let stand for 30 minutes, turning once before grilling.


Source: The New Basics Cookbook
Most times when the heat hits it the excess drips off.

When I makes Squaw candy it is purdy much caked in brown sugar, but again when the heat hits it, it runs off.

But you're correct the recipe is for grilling, well thats not really true either. It's for Cedar planking salmon. Which in a way is smoking. You ever heard of that?

You really don't want alot of smoke in salmon, it kills the taste of the fish. Thats why the wood of choice in the great Northwet is Alder. It's very light. And we got a bunch of it.
Over all, the salmon was good. The 1/2 oz of hickory was just right, lemon pepper was good. could have used a tad more salt. The smoke took about 1 1/2 hours (140 degrees internal temp in the thickest part of the fillet). This is not my favorite smoke but the Mrs. like it as a change from pork. With just the two of us, a butt or brisket goes a long ways!

On the salmon, when did they start using color in the feed to make the flesh pink? I thought that was kind of strange.

Have great Memorial Day weekend all!
Sam's Club has a rosemary & garlic spice that is great on salmon. I sprinkle and smoke the salmon at 180 for 1 hour. Another way is to cut 1" strips of salmon and sprinkle with the spice. Then put on wet bamboo skewers and sear over a hot charcoal grill for about 1 minute each side. They were great!!

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