DEE'S SWEET & SALTY SMOKED SALMON

Dee's Sweet & Salty Smoked Salmon image

Provided by Dee Stillwell

Time 19h50m

Number Of Ingredients 20

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1 - 4 -5 lb fresh alaskan salmon, filleted & cut into approx 2" x 6" planks, skin on
MARINADE
1 1/2 c brown sugar (i use dark)(start with 1 cup & add more later if u you like)
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 c kosher or sea salt (start with 1/3 cup & add more later if you like)
1 tsp lemon pepper
2 tsp webber smokey mesquite seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each of white & black pepper
1 - 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to your liking)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less to your liking)
1 c soy sauce
1/2 c sherry
1/4 c molasses
juice of 1 fresh lemon
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp mesquite liquid smoke
1 medium onion, peeled & cut up
5 clove garlic, peeled
1 - 2 inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled

Steps:

1. Mix all except the last 3 ingredients together in a deep bowl until sugars are dissolved. Chop the last 3 finely in the food processor or mini chopper and add to marinade. Taste marinade at this point to see if u want to add any extra of the ingredients. Place all in a large deep lasagna pan or equivilalent.
2. Fillet one whole 4 - 5 lb salmon and cut into approx. 2" x 6" sticks. Add to marinade and weight down to submerge all of the salmon pieces. Marinate overnight(about 12 hours or more).
3. Prepare smoker and soak mesquite wood chips in water. In water tray cut up 2 apples, and add 2 cups apple juice, 2 cups water and about 1 cup of the marinade. Spray racks with non stick cooking spray. Shake excess marinade off and place salmon pieces on racks so they don't touch.
4. Smoke for 4 hrs @ 175 degrees and 3-4 hours @ 215 degrees or to desired doneness and dryness I like mine dry but still pliable...so check yours after about 5 hours to determine how much longer you want to smoke it. Add soaked wood chips every 1 - 1 & 1/2 hrs. Sprinkle chips with mesquite liquid smoke each time you add new ones(a tip from our Smoking Diva, Sherri). My son said, "This was some of the best smoked salmon I have ever had." I have to say, "I agree" Enjoy!