Dry Brined Smoked Salmon Recipes

HOW TO MAKE DRY BRINE SMOKED SALMON; EASY RECIPE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl combine kosher salt, sugars and fresh cracked pepper and set aside.
• Prepare a large piece of heavy duty foil that will completely cover the salmon when wrapped. I like to use double thickness foil.
• Prepare a large piece of plastic wrap that will also cover the salmon when wrapped. Place the plastic wrap on top of the foil.
• Put about 3/4 cup of dry brine on top of plastic wrap and spread out to the length of the salmon.
• Place salmon (skin side down) on top of dry brine.
• Pour about 1/2 cup dry brine on top of salmon and spread evenly.
• Place the other salmon filet on top of the dry brine (skin side up). Then put the rest of the dry brine on top and distribute evenly.
• Fold over plastic wrap and close ends tightly.
• Then fold over foil tightly and place salmon in the refrigerator for 6 hours. To be safe place the salmon on a plate lined with paper towels to catch any fluid that may escape from the wrapped fish while in the refrigerator.
• Remove salmon from the refrigerator and carefully unwrap. Rinse well under cold water to remove excess salt. It's best to run under the water for a good 2-3 minutes making sure all salt is removed.

DRY-BRINED SMOKED SALMON

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.

SMOKED BRINED SALMON

Steps:

• In large heavy-duty resealable plastic food-storage bag, mix sugar, salt, orange peel, onion, peppercorns and 4 cups water. Seal bag and squeeze to mix until sugar and salt have dissolved. Place salmon in bag of brine; seal bag. Refrigerate at least 3 hours but no longer than 4 hours.
• Cover wood chunks with water; soak at least 30 minutes.
• Drain wood chunks. Prepare and heat smoker using wood chunks and adding water to water pan following manufacturer's directions.
• Meanwhile, remove salmon from brine; discard brine. Blot salmon dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of salmon with oil. Place salmon, skin side down. Sprinkle with paprika and pepper.
• Place salmon, skin side down, on top grill rack in smoker. Cover and smoke about 1 hour or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. If smoking stops, add additional wood chunks through side door of smoker.
• Place salmon, skin side up, on foil. Peel skin from fish and discard. Use foil to turn fish onto serving platter.

DRY-CURED SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• To make the dry cure, combine all the ingredients. This will make about one cup. The mixture may be kept, covered, for six months or more. For this recipe, you will need four tablespoons.
• Rub each salmon fillet on both sides with two tablespoons of the dry cure and place in a glass baking dish. Refrigerate for six hours, or overnight.
• Remove fillets from the dish and rinse quickly under running water, just to remove excess cure. Place fillets on a raised grid surface to allow air to circulate around them. Leave to dry for three hours, or until the surface is dry and shiny.
• Forty-five minutes before cooking, light the charcoal fire.
• When ready to cook, throw a handful of wood chips on the coals. Add hot water to the water pan of the smoker, or an improvised smoker (see note). Place the fillets on the grid over the water pan. Cover with the lid and leave the fish for at least 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Check periodically and replenish the fuel or chips if necessary. The smoker temperature should not exceed 190 degrees (use an oven thermometer). The fish is done when the flesh is firm to the touch.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice and pepper to blend.
• Remove the fish from the grill and cut crosswise into serving pieces. Serve the fish immediately on its own with the vinaigrette, or on a bed of greens dressed with the vinaigrette.

DRY BRINED SMOKED SALMON

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.