Hot Smoked Salmon

Temperatures used in this recipe are for approx. 20 lbs of fish. The more fish in the smoker, the longer the unit will take to heat.

Ingredients

  • Cure (white sugar & salt – approx. ratio of 500 g (1lb) salt to 60 g (2oz) sugar)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Garlic and onion salt or powder. Substitute dill or ginger or dry mustard for the garlic and onion.
  • Coarse black pepper
  • Dried parsley or chive flakes

Preparation

  1. Leave skin on salmon. If the fillet is over 1″ thick, slash the flesh every 2″ to 3″ about 1/2″ to 3/8″ deep, parallel and running in the direction of the rib.
  2. Slather fish with a liberal amount of vegetable oil. Sprinkle cure heavily and evenly on the fillet. Use enough cure so that it is completely covered. Sprinkle a moderate amount of desired spices over fillet.
  3. Rub the spices and cure lightly into the fillet including any cut surfaces.
  4. Sprinkle a moderate amount of coarse black pepper onto the fillet.
  5. Wrap two similar sized salmon fillets, flesh to flesh, with plastic wrap or a plastic bag then place in a cooler.
  6. Cover fish to ensure air has no access and refrigerate 14 to 20 hours.

Smoking

  1. Remove fish from cure and place skin side down on oiled racks.
  2. Rub fillet to even out the residual cure and sprinkle parsley or chive flakes.
  3. Place the racks in the Bradley Smoker.
  4. Using Alder flavour bisquettes, start the Bradley Smoker at a very low temperature, 40°C to 60°C (100°F to120°F), for 1 to 2 hours.
  5. After the first couple of hours increase temperature to 70°C (140°F) for 2 to 4 hours.