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First Up 06:47

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Alton's Home-Smoked Salmon 06:47

Smoke your own salmon? Alton shows how you can do it yourself at home.

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How To: Grill Salmon 02:19

Watch this video explaining how to avoid the stumbling blocks of grilling salmon. Learn the difference between salmon steaks and fillets. Note: Steaks are preferable for grilling. Wild caught is best for flavor and sustainability. 1. Buy skin-on Salmon to hold fish together. 2. Place salmon on oiled heated grill. 3. Once salmon releases itself from grill, flip. 4. Let salmon rest 10 minutes when done. 5. Serve with a little lemon.

Smoked Salmon

Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown

Show: Good Eats

Episode: Where There's Smoke, There's Fish!

Smoked Salmon

Name: Smoked Salmon
Prep time: P0Y0M1DT0H30M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT5H0M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M1DT5H30M0.000S
Yield: 20 to 30 portions, depending o
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1 cup kosher salt; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup dark brown sugar; 1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns; 2 large salmon fillets or sides, pin bones removed

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Total: 1 day 5 hr 30 min

Prep: 1 day 30 min
Cook: 5 hr

Yield: 20 to 30 portions, depending o

Nutrition Info

Total: 1 day 5 hr 30 min

Prep: 1 day 30 min
Cook: 5 hr

Yield: 20 to 30 portions, depending o
Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Deselect All

1 cup kosher salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns

2 large salmon fillets or sides, pin bones removed

Directions

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Watch how to make this recipe.

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.