Smoked salmon is a tasty, savoury treat that is simple to make. It requires almost no more attention beyond just preheating the grill or smoker and placing the fillets on the grates. With such an easy protein, the most difficult step of making smoked salmon truly is waiting for the delicious-smelling fish to finish roasting. Use this guide to find the perfect tips for how long to smoke salmon and begin counting the minutes down until you’re enjoying an unbeatable fish feast.
How Long to Smoke Salmon in a Smoker
Slow and steady is the name of the game for perfect smoked salmon. Keep the smoker temperature low for a long period of time and your smoked salmon will be moist, flaky, and full of smoky flavour. Set the smoker to 120°F and let the fish roast for about 3 hours. If you are pressed for time though, set the smoker to 220°F for smoked salmon in only 2 hours.
How Long to Smoke Salmon on the Grill
Smoking salmon on the grill is a bit trickier, so you need to keep a close eye on the fillets as they cook. The grill will naturally be hotter than the smoker, so the cook time will be considerably shorter. Count on the reliability of a digital thermometer to know exactly when the salmon is done cooking. You want the internal temperature of the salmon to be at 150°F or higher.
Smoked Salmon (in the smoker)
- Smoker Temperature: 220°F
- Smoking Time: 2 Hours
- Finished Temperature: 150°F
Smoked Salmon (on the grill)
- Smoker Temperature: 220°F (med-high heat)
- Smoking Time: 2 Hours
- Finished Temperature: 150°F
TIP – Salmon should be a rich pink after smoking. Look for the meat to begin flaking apart to know when to check the internal temperature for doneness.
