Dry Brined Smoked Salmon Recipes

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup brown sugar and kosher salt together in a small bowl.
• Spread a thin layer of the brown sugar mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch baking pan. Arrange 2 to 3 salmon fillets on top; cover with some of the brown sugar mixture. Repeat layers until all the salmon fillets are coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat a smoker to 195 degrees F (91 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Rinse brown sugar mixture off salmon fillets. Brush fillets lightly with honey and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar on top.
• Pour cola-flavored beverage into the smoker's water pan; add water to within 1 inch of the top. Place half of the wood chips around the perimeter of the hot charcoal. Place salmon on the cooking racks.
• Cook salmon, adding more wood chips if needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 2 hours. Cool before serving, at least 15 minutes.

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together salt, sugar, brown sugar and peppercorns. Spread extra-wide aluminum foil a little longer than the length of the fish and top with an equally long layer of plastic wrap. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the plastic. Lay 1 side of the fish skin down onto the rub. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the flesh of the salmon. Place second side of salmon, flesh down onto the first side. Use the remaining rub to cover the skin on the top piece. Fold plastic over to cover then close edges of foil together and crimp tightly around the fish. Place wrapped fish onto a plank or sheet pan and top with another plank or pan. Weigh with a heavy phone book or a brick or two and refrigerate for 12 hours. Flip the fish over and refrigerate another 12 hours. Some juice will leak out during the process so make sure there's a place for the runoff to gather. Unwrap fish and rinse off the cure with cold water. Pat salmon with paper towels then place in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) until the surface of the fish is dry and matte-like, 1 to 3 hours depending on humidity. A fan may be used to speed the process. Smoke fish (see Note) over smoldering hardwood chips or sawdust, keeping the temperature inside the smoker between 150 degrees F and 160 degrees F until the thickest part of the fish registers 150 degrees. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cook's Note: Trout, mackerel, and bluefish also smoke well.

Steps:

• Place sugar in water and stir until incorporated. Add other ingredients and stir until mixed well. Place a 1 lb piece of fresh salmon into a baking dish (that just fits the fish) and pour the brine over top. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Disregard brine and smoke the fish as per the recommendations of your smoker.

Steps:

• In a suitable container, combine all ingredients, except salmon and wood chips. Mix well, add salmon, cover and refrigerate 8 or more hours. Drain and transfer to smoker, putting thicker pieces on the bottom shelves. Smoke 10 to 12 hours, refilling wood chips in smoker pan 2 to 3 times.

Steps:

• Cut salmon into 1/2-inch strips.
• Prepare dry brine: Combine sugar, 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sea salt, garlic, orange zest, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, and chile flakes in a bowl. Put 1/2 inch of brine on the bottom of a large dish. Layer salmon strips on top and cover with remaining brine. Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.
• Take salmon out of the brine and place on wire racks; discard brine. Dry in front of a fan for at least 24 hours; the longer you dry the better texture the salmon will be.
• When ready to smoke the salmon, preheat a smoker to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
• At the same time, combine brown sugar, honey, red wine, rum, cayenne, and black pepper for glaze in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until thick, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Brush salmon with glaze and put in the preheated smoker. Smoke, brushing with glaze every hour, until salmon is dry to the touch, 4 to 5 hours.