Why you’ll love this easy smoked salmon

  • It’s fast! Skip the brining and laying the salmon out to develop a pellicle. Just smoke it for around an hour and you’re done.
  • The sticky-sweet glaze coats the outside of the salmon and blends perfectly with the smoky salmon.
  • You can make as little or as much as you want, so it’s the perfect meal prep recipe.
  • This is the perfect recipe for a Traeger or any pellet grill. Just set it and smoke!

Related ->> Check out all of our easy grilling and smoker recipes!

How to make this easy smoked salmon (step-by-step)

First, start your smoker or pellet grill and heat it up to 225° Fahrenheit. Then, follow these steps:

Cut the salmon into 3-4 portions and place it on a sheet pan.
Make the salmon glaze by mixing all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
Brush the salmon pieces all over with the glaze.
Smoke at 225° Fahrenheit for about 60-90 minutes, or until the internal temp is 145°.
Brush the salmon with the remaining glaze every 15 minutes.

Tips for making the best smoked salmon

  • Smoking time – Always smoke your salmon to the temp of 145° Fahrenheit. The cooking times below are given as a general guideline and will vary depending on the salmon size.
  • Cutting the salmon – The recipe calls for cutting salmon to speed up the cooking time. If desired, you can use one large fillet and cook it to temperature.
  • Storage – Store the smoked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • Storage time – This smoked salmon isn’t brined or cured, so it’s not as long-lasting as cured smoked salmon. It will keep well for up to one week in the fridge.

What to serve with smoked salmon

I personally love smoked salmon as a snack all by itself or on some crackers. Some other options:

We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

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Overhead shot of smoked salmon with lemon wedges and chopped parsley
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Get the Recipe:

Smoked Salmon – Fast! (No Brine)

This no-brine smoked salmon recipe is the quickest way to get delicious smoked salmon. Just brush the salmon with the easy homemade salmon glaze and smoke it at 225°.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb salmon fillet, (cut into serving portions)

For the smoked salmon glaze:

  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup, (optional, can omit or sub honey or other sweetener of choice or omit for Whole30)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your smoker or pellet grill to 225° Fahrenheit.
  • Cut the salmon into 3-4 oz portions and place it on a sheet pan.
  • Make the salmon glaze by mixing all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Brush the salmon pieces all over with the glaze.
  • Place the salmon directly on the smoker grill grates. Smoke at 225° Fahrenheit for about 60-90 minutes, brushing the top and sides of the salmon with the remaining glaze every 15 minutes until it is gone.
  • Begin checking the salmon around the 1-hour mark. It is done when the internal temp reaches 145° Fahrenheit.
  • Remove the salmon pieces from the smoker and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Or, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. The smoked salmon will last about 1 week in the fridge.

Last Step:

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Smoked Salmon - Fast! (No Brine)Smoked Salmon - Fast! (No Brine)