Best 4 Smoked Salmon Brine Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful flavors of homemade smoked salmon with our carefully crafted brine recipes. Whether you prefer a classic brine, a zesty citrus brine, or a herbaceous dill brine, we have the perfect blend of ingredients to enhance the natural taste of your salmon. Discover the art of brining and elevate your smoked salmon to a culinary masterpiece. From preparation to smoking techniques, our comprehensive guide will lead you through the process of creating mouthwatering smoked salmon that will impress your family and friends.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BRINE FOR SMOKED SALMON



Brine for Smoked Salmon image

Salmon brine is made with lots of citrus flavor. It is also excellent for trout. This recipe makes enough to brine two large salmon fillets.

Provided by Mike O.

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Marinade Recipes

Time 13h10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 gallon water
1 cup kosher salt
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
lemon pepper to taste
1 (3 ounce) package dry crab and shrimp seasoning mix
freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 cloves garlic, crushed or to taste
1 dash hot pepper sauce
4 lemons, sliced and crushed
2 oranges, sliced and crushed
1 lime, sliced and crushed
1 large yellow onion, sliced

Steps:

  • Pour the water into a large bowl or small bucket. If you must use a pot, use one that does not contain aluminum. Stir in the kosher salt, white sugar, brown sugar, lemon pepper, parsley and seasoning mix. Add the garlic, hot pepper sauce, lemons, oranges, lime and onion.
  • Soak your salmon in this brine in the refrigerator for 12 to 36 hours. Smoke using your desired method (see Cook's Note).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 81.7 calories, Carbohydrate 22 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 0.5 g, Sodium 3824 mg, Sugar 18.9 g

SMOKED SALMON BRINE



Smoked Salmon Brine image

There won't be any leftovers! The smoky-rich tang that comes from your fillets will astound everyone. You and your guests will not be able to stop eating this high-protein, rich in Omega-3 oils delight. You'll find yourself keeping this snappy snack on hand at all times. I've been smoking salmon for 12 years and have never...

Provided by Sherry Blizzard

Categories     Seafood Appetizers

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 c kosher salt or morton's tender quick curing salt
2 c dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp (heaping) coarse ground black pepper
1 Tbsp garlic salt
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp celery salt

Steps:

  • 1. Mix all ingredients together well. I use a fork to make sure everything is stirred together well.
  • 2. Can use it right away or store in an airtight container.
  • 3. HOW TO DRY BRINE AND SMOKE YOUR SALMON.
  • 4. Cut salmon into fillet-size pieces (about the size of your hand or palm. Leave the skin on and rinse well under cold water.
  • 5. Drain and pat as dry as possible with paper towels. Place salmon, skin-side-down in a plastic tray (I use a meat lug). You'll want something with high sides to hold all the moisture that will be drawn out of the fish.
  • 6. Completely cover the salmon with the dry brine mixture. Be sure to pat mix around the sides as well. You want to cover up as much of the meat as possible. Cover the tray/fish with plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge or a very cold place for 24 hours.
  • 7. Remove plastic wrap and thoroughly rinse fish under cold water. Remove as much of the brine as possible from the fish. Dry the fillets with paper towels (you want it as dry as possible). Let sit on a tray for 2-3 hours or until a sticky pellicle can be seen/felt on the skin of the fish.
  • 8. Bring the smoker up to 200 degrees. Use ONLY alder wood chips when smoking fish. Get the smoker smoking and, working quickly, put the trays of fish in the smoker. Smoke for 2 hours and allow the temperature to come down to 70 or below.

BRINE FOR SMOKED SALMON



Brine for Smoked Salmon image

Since we got our smoker, I have tried a zillion different brine recipes for salmon. This one I made up and we really liked it!

Provided by januarybride

Categories     Low Protein

Time 24m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups water
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon sea salt
4 garlic cloves
2 bay leaves

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.

BEST SMOKED SALMON BRINE ALA POPPIE



Best Smoked Salmon Brine Ala Poppie image

This is simple as can be, but it is the best brine for smoked salmon that I have ever used. My grampa Poppie did it like this and my husband and I decided it was the best way. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Provided by Chef PotPie

Categories     Low Protein

Time 16h

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 3

1/2 cup pickling salt
1/2 cup sugar
apple cider or juice

Steps:

  • Dissolve the salt and sugar in apple cider or juice, then add more apple cider/juice to 'cover' the fish. Yes, they float, it's okay, just try to turn them if you can now and again.
  • Let them soak for about 6 hours. Drain and rinse them.
  • Here's the important part: Dry them off and leave them uncovered in the fridge for at least 4 hours, more hours the better.
  • This time allows the brined fish to form a "pellicle" on the brined part which takes the smoke flavor.
  • Now smoke the fish for whatever you usually do. YUM.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 38.7, Sodium 5658.8, Carbohydrate 10, Sugar 10

Tips:

  • Use a digital kitchen scale to ensure accurate measurements for the brine.
  • Kosher salt is preferred for brining salmon due to its large crystals and even distribution.
  • Dissolve the sugar and salt in hot water before adding to the cold water to ensure a homogenous brine.
  • Use a food-grade container that is large enough to fully submerge the salmon in the brine.
  • Keep the salmon submerged in the brine for the recommended time, as this helps to evenly distribute the flavors and ensure proper preservation.
  • After brining, rinse the salmon under cold water to remove any excess salt or sugar.
  • Pat the salmon dry with paper towels before smoking or cooking to ensure a crispy skin.
  • Experiment with different flavors by adding herbs, spices, or citrus zest to the brine.
  • Consider using a dry brine method for a more concentrated flavor and a shorter brining time.

Conclusion:

Smoking salmon is a delicious and versatile way to prepare this healthy fish. By following the tips and recipes provided in this article, you can create your own flavorful smoked salmon at home. Experiment with different brines and smoking techniques to find the perfect combination that suits your taste. Whether you enjoy it as a simple appetizer, incorporate it into a main course, or use it as a topping for salads and sandwiches, smoked salmon is sure to impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your smoker, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds tantalized.

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