Traeger Smoked Salmon Recipe
Savor the taste of this easy Traeger Smoked Salmon recipe. Experience the perfect harmony of tender salmon infused with a rich smoky flavor.
This Traeger Smoked Salmon Recipe is the tastiest and most delicious way to cook salmon – get perfect smoked salmon every time! Delicate and succulent, our smoked salmon is made using the best salmon fillet, resulting in a rich, smoky flavor that melts in your mouth.
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We’ve all heard that salmon is full of Omega-3 fatty acids and that it is an excellent addition to a healthy eating plan. With tons of ways to prepare it, I wanted to share one of my favorite salmon filet recipes with you.
It has just the right balance of smoky flavor, a bit of saltiness, and a little touch of sweetness. You’ll love it!
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SUPPLIES:
- Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – this is our model, it’s the perfect size Traeger pellet grill for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must have Traeger products.
- Meater Thermometer – we love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
- BBQ tongs – these are my favorite tongs for grasping grilled meat.
- Basting brush – this one is great for coating the fish in maple syrup.
- Paper towels – a must for clean up!
- Large bowl – for tossing the fish in the dry brine.
We love to go salmon fishing and stocking the freezer with fresh caught, wild salmon. Wild-caught salmon is a sustainable and healthy way to enjoy salmon at home but not everyone has the opportunity to go fishing.
We also like to source our fish from Costco, the grocery store has many great options for fresh salmon.
Begin by gathering a few simple ingredients from the grocery store. You will need 3-4 pounds of salmon fillets, brown sugar, kosher salt, lemon juice and maple syrup.
How to make Traeger smoked salmon:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lbs salmon
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (optional)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Directions:
1. Filet the salmon, remove the skin and cut into 1″ slices.
2. Place salmon into a large mixing bowl or tray.
3. In a small bowl mix 4 parts brown sugar to 1 part kosher salt.
4. Cover the salmon completely with the mixture of sugar & salt.
5. Top with lemon juice.
6. Cover the bowl with a large piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Tip: a large freezer bag may be used to brine the salmon instead of a mixing bowl.
7. Remove the salmon from the brine mixture and drain the excess liquid. Rinse each piece of salmon thoroughly with cold water.
8. Place the fish on a flat surface like the countertop lined with paper towel or a wire rack to dry for one hour.
9. Preheat the Traeger smoker to 165 degrees F.
10. Place the salmon pieces directly on the grill grates of the pellet smoker.
11. Close the lid and allow the salmon to smoke for 2 hours.
12. Baste the salmon with maple syrup, this is an optional step but gives the fish a sweeter flavor upon smoking.
13. Smoke for an additional hour until the salmon reaches your desired level of doneness or the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
Remove from the smoker and enjoy! How amazingly delicious does this smoked salmon look, you guys?! It tastes even better! I’ve discovered that I love this recipe on Eve’s Crackers with a bit of cream cheese. Yummy!
The smoking process is made easy when you are using a Traeger! Just be sure to keep the hopper full of pellets and you are good to go. Some of our favorite smoker recipes include these smoked burgers, this whole smoked turkey and this amazing smoked brisket.
Tips and tricks:
- When smoking fish, the internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F. Always test the thickest part of the fish when measuring the temperature.
- If catching your own salmon isn’t an option, check your local grocery stores or specialty seafood shop.
- Any type of salmon works with this recipe. Use Atlantic salmon, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, king salmon whatever type you have access to.
- We love our Traeger grills for making this recipe! It is an electric smoker and pellet grill. I highly recommend it!
Ways to serve smoked salmon:
- Try it on a cream cheese bagel with pickled red onion.
- Make a healthy lunch of avocado toast on pumpernickel bread, topped with salmon.
- How about a smoked salmon salad sandwich?
- Make dinner a plate of salmon pasta in a creamy sauce, with a glass of white wine.
- Serve crackers with a smoked salmon dip on a charcuterie board.
Whether you make it a main course or a side dish, once you’ve tasted this delectable fish, you won’t ever want to be without it! Add this easy recipe for hot smoked salmon to your must make list.
If you love this easy smoked salmon recipe, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest!
Traeger Smoked Salmon
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs salmon
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup optional
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- 1. Filet the salmon, remove the skin and cut into 1" slices.
- 2. Place salmon into a large mixing bowl.
- 3. In a small bowl mix 4 parts brown sugar to 1 part kosher salt.
- 4. Cover the salmon completely with the mixture of sugar & salt.
- 5. Top with lemon juice.
- 6. Cover the bowl with a large piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- 7. Remove the salmon from the brine mixture and drain the excess liquid. Rinse each piece of salmon thoroughly with cold water.
- 8. Place the fish on a flat surface like the countertop lined with paper towel or a wire rack to dry for one hour.
- 9. Preheat the Traeger smoker to 165 degrees F.
- 10. Place the salmon pieces directly on the grill grates of the pellet smoker.
- 11. Close the lid and allow the salmon to smoke for 2 hours.
- 12. Baste the salmon with maple syrup, this is an optional step but gives the fish a sweeter flavor upon smoking.
13. Smoke for an additional hour until the salmon reaches your desired level of doneness or the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.