Hot Smoked Salmon

I own a Cameron’s stovetop smoker. I’ve used it for all kinds of proteins, but my favorite one to smoke is salmon. One evening recently I was having a girlfriend over for dinner, so smoking a salmon fillet was an easy choice. Besides, it was an excuse for me to have salmon, because my husband won’t eat it.

51BzFko0omL

The smoker does all the work so it’s really easy to do while your company is with you in the kitchen.

Sprinkle your choice of wood chips in the bottom of the smoker; I used maple chips today.

There’s no preparation necessary for the smoking process, other than to have a freshly rinsed filet of salmon, of uniform thickness, ideally. Mine was just over a pound. Then make sure it’s dry.

Place the salmon on the foil-wrapped pan and season. I simply used Old Bay seasoning because it works so well with fish.

ss7

There is a rack that comes with the smoker, but since the skin was on the bottom side of the salmon, I didn’t bother using it. The rack allows the smoke to go underneath whatever is on it.

Close the lid, then turn on the heat underneath to medium. Once the smoke starts coming out, turn the heat down; you don’t want the salmon to cook too fast because you’re cooking it and smoking it. I smoked this particular filet for 25 minutes, over the lowest heat setting.

The photo below shows the salmon after 15 minutes.

ss9

Once the smoking is over, slice and serve.

ss

I really like mine smoky, but you can adjust the amount of smoke intensity by how much of the wood chips you use. Cameron’s has a huge variety of chips that you can buy, so you always have a choice.

ss5

As long as the heat is low, the protein won’t overcook. Hopefully from the photos you can tell that the salmon is tender and moist.

ss1

Because it’s fall, I served the smoked salmon with Brussels sprouts drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt.

Hot-smoked salmon can be served any time of the year. With asparagus in the spring, with a green salad in summer, and in winter – with a mash, of course!

ss3

By Published On: November 16th, 201549 Comments on Hot Smoked Salmon

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

49 Comments

  1. DanielaApostol November 16, 2015 at 8:04 AM - Reply

    Absolutely delicious! I love salmon, it tastes less “fishy” and goes well with anything.

  2. lulu November 16, 2015 at 9:08 AM - Reply

    Thanks for introducing me to this. I’m thinking I need a stove top smoker.

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 2:10 PM - Reply

      Everyone needs one! And it makes the house so good!

  3. anotherfoodieblogger November 16, 2015 at 10:52 AM - Reply

    We have a large outdoor smoker, the but the stovetop smoker is a great device you have. One would particularly come in handy when we have a foot of snow on the ground. Your smoked salmon looks perfectly moist and flaky!

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 2:11 PM - Reply

      It’s very handy, and definitely handy during inclement weather!

  4. Loretta November 16, 2015 at 1:22 PM - Reply

    What a brilliant idea to have a stovetop smoker, I don’t think I’ve ever come across one, the salmon sure looks wonderful.

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 2:12 PM - Reply

      It’s really handy, works great, and not expensive!

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 6:14 PM - Reply

      I don’t remember how I first found this gadget, but it’s wonderful and very handy!

  5. apuginthekitchen November 16, 2015 at 5:25 PM - Reply

    Is it fairly shallow, the smoker? You couldn’t do a brisket right? Love idea of a portable smoker. The salmon looks wonderful.

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 6:10 PM - Reply

      yes, it’s deep enough for a brisket!

  6. ChgoJohn November 16, 2015 at 5:51 PM - Reply

    Sold! I’ve been going back and forth about purchasing one of these, Mimi. Your post has convinced me. Well, the photos of that glorious salmon didn’t hurt the cause. Thanks!

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 6:00 PM - Reply

      I love the thing, and it’s not expensive!

  7. aranislandgirl November 16, 2015 at 6:11 PM - Reply

    Looks amazing! How do you think this would work with tuna? I have a friend who would loan me his smoker and a brother-in-law who just delivered a massive hunk of fresh tuna–it’s frozen now, but it is fresh caught from the Atlantic and not farmed. What do you think?

    • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 6:16 PM - Reply

      you are so lucky! this smoker would definitely work – one can even smoke cheese in it. Personally I wouldn’t touch fresh tuna, but that’s just me!!!

      • aranislandgirl November 16, 2015 at 6:19 PM

        What if I told you I have three 10 inch hunks of it? Have you ever had smoked tuna? Don’t think I’ve ever heard of it actually. Your advice is probably sound. I wouldn’t want to screw it up! Fresh tuna is amazing on it’s own and the tuna salad sandwiches are divine!!

      • chef mimi November 16, 2015 at 6:38 PM

        well now i’m 3 times as jealous. You could always try a little piece and experiment. To me, it would be just like messing with perfection. but I love smoked salmon and smoked trout!

  8. Emilio Pasquale November 16, 2015 at 6:41 PM - Reply

    Is there any way to duplicate the taste of smoked salmon without a smoker? I’d love to try this! Sounds great.

    • chef mimi November 17, 2015 at 7:15 AM - Reply

      you can get little boxes that you fill with the wood chips, and place them in the hot charcoal, or maybe above the charcoal, to cause the smoke in an outside grill, and you’d have to close the grill (have a lid) but other than that I have no idea! I’m no grill expert. It just all happens in a closed environment.

      • Emilio Pasquale November 17, 2015 at 11:16 AM

        Thank you. It just sounds so good. Maybe we’ll have to spring for a stove top smoker.

  9. chefceaser November 17, 2015 at 5:05 AM - Reply

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

  10. Heather @ Sweet Precision November 17, 2015 at 7:29 AM - Reply

    What a wonderful kitchen appliance. I love smoked fish, chicken, etc. but I only get to indulge when we’re out to eat. Also love the close up picture of the salmon… looks so moist and delicious!

    • chef mimi November 17, 2015 at 7:35 AM - Reply

      It really is. You still have to watch the heat, just like in the oven, but it’s a really magical appliance!

  11. Abbe Odenwalder November 17, 2015 at 10:08 AM - Reply

    This is so cool! I think I’m putting this on my gift list. We eat a lot of salmon!

  12. Gerlinde de Broekert November 17, 2015 at 10:09 AM - Reply

    We have the beautiful pacific salmon and I think I need to look into buying a smoker. Yours looks so delicious .

  13. spiceinthecity November 17, 2015 at 11:03 AM - Reply

    We eat lots of Salmon, but it is generally grilled. I love warm smoked salmon though but don’t own a smoker. Wonder if it will work in a wok fitted with a rack. Your smoked salmon looks wonderful!

    • chef mimi November 17, 2015 at 2:45 PM - Reply

      you need heat, smoke, and a closed environment. the salmon needs to get smoked without overcooking. i think you could definitely try it – maybe putting foil down first so the wood doesn’t ruin the wok?

  14. dianeskitchentable November 17, 2015 at 4:05 PM - Reply

    I think you’ve just given a lot of people a great gift idea – this smoker looks awesome as does the salmon. I love smoked salmon! Cheese, crackers, smoked salmon…my idea of a great lunch.

    • chef mimi November 17, 2015 at 5:17 PM - Reply

      Lox is my favorite kind of smoked salmon, but hot smoked is so good too!

  15. thecompletebook November 18, 2015 at 2:45 AM - Reply

    Absolutely taste explosion meal Mimi. We have a smoker and never use it – will have to change that ASAP.
    Have a wonderful day.
    :-) Mandy xo

    • chef mimi November 18, 2015 at 7:15 AM - Reply

      Oh you must! It’s so easy to use and there’s not much clean up involved. I love it for chicken, and I know some people use it for cheese!

  16. Conor Bofin November 18, 2015 at 4:35 PM - Reply

    Not wishing to brag. But…….. I will be smoking (cold) six sides of salmon this weekend. A lot of work and I hope worthwhile. Reaction to my post on the subject forced me into it.

    • chef mimi November 19, 2015 at 7:42 AM - Reply

      Ha! Well, that is a bit bragidocious, but I don’t blame you at all!!! Jealous!!! Especially knowing the high quality of salmon available where you live!

  17. Lynz Real Cooking November 18, 2015 at 5:58 PM - Reply

    This looks lovely and very tasty!

  18. The Gourmet Gourmand November 19, 2015 at 12:38 AM - Reply

    I love smoked salmon! Would never have thought to make it myself though. This looks fabulous :)

  19. Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen November 19, 2015 at 7:17 AM - Reply

    Oh my goodness. This salmon is beyond beautiful (and needless to day delicious), Mimi. Love its flaky texture. It would be a perfect dinner to me as well!

    • chef mimi November 19, 2015 at 7:44 AM - Reply

      It’s just a fabulous little gadget, and you can get maple, apple, mesquite, hickory, and so forth. I’m not sure there are huge flavor differences, but it’s still fun.

  20. Karen November 19, 2015 at 10:38 AM - Reply

    Your salmon looks perfectly cooked and had to be delicious.

  21. safifer November 21, 2015 at 1:34 PM - Reply

    I’ve been on-again-off-again about purchasing a smoker. I think this has made the decision for me. Thank you an informative post.

    • chef mimi November 21, 2015 at 4:32 PM - Reply

      Well, one good thing is that they’re not expensive. thanks!

  22. David Scott Allen November 22, 2015 at 4:51 PM - Reply

    Hi Mimi – this really has me intrigued! I have wanted a stovetop smoker – and Cameron’s looks great. I assume you have a gas stove – I have electric. Do you think that would work? Does the box say anything about electric? Fingers crossed…

    • chef mimi November 23, 2015 at 7:19 AM - Reply

      all you need is a heat source – it could be a fire or an electric burner. get one!!!

  23. sue marquis bishop November 22, 2015 at 10:27 PM - Reply

    What a lovely lunch with your friend. It looks so easy too. Womenlivinglifeafter50.com

    • chef mimi July 1, 2016 at 11:07 AM - Reply

      Oooops somehow I missed this comment ! So sorry!

Leave a Reply to chefceaserCancel reply