30 Smoked Salmon Recipes That Will Make You Feel Like a Gourmet Cook!

January 5, 2025
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Tired of buying overpriced smoked salmon at the store? Or maybe you want to add variety to your cookouts. In any case, these smoked salmon recipes are just what you need! They show you all the different flavors and techniques that you can use when smoking salmon, producing the most incredible results each time. Go ahead and check it out right now! 

smoked salmon recipes

1. Simple Smoked Salmon 

If you are smoking salmon for the first time, then this is the recipe that you need! It is easy to follow and ensures that you get the most tender, delicious smoked salmon you can imagine. So, go ahead and check it out and get started on your salmon smoking journey without any fuss! You will be so happy with the flavors of the finished version. 

Get the recipe here

Simple Smoked Salmon

2. Brined Smoked Salmon

Want to guarantee that your smoked salmon will be perfectly tender each and every time? Well, this is the recipe to follow! You can learn how to brine your salmon so that it comes out just right - as an added bonus, you get a basting recipe to keep your salmon nice and moist during the smoking process! 

Get the recipe here

Brined Smoked Salmon

3. Lemon Pepper Smoked Salmon 

This is the ideal recipe for anyone who is looking for a smoked salmon recipe with a bit of a flavor kick to it. The salmon is brushed with mustard and then sprinkled with lemon pepper seasoning before being smoked to perfection - that is all that there is to it! 

Get the recipe here

Lemon Pepper Smoked Salmon

4. Smoked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

This recipe is all about infusing your salmon with fresh and tangy flavors, just right for a refreshing summer meal! The salmon is drizzled with lemon juice and coated in seasonings, minced garlic, and fresh dill. It is then topped with lemon slices and smoked! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

5. Hickory Smoked Salmon with Garden Salsa

For this recipe, the hickory wood chips do most of the flavoring for your smoked salmon. The salmon is just brushed with butter and later seasoned with dill. Once the salmon is infused with that hickory smoke, serve with a side of a homemade salsa. 

Get the recipe here

Hickory Smoked Salmon with Garden Salsa

6. Apple Wood Smoked Salmon

This is another recipe where the flavors produced by the smoking wood is all that you need. Here, apple wood produces a light and sweet smoke that gently flavors the salmon without overpowering its natural flavor profile. It is a must-try recipe for those that love to keep flavors simple! 

Get the recipe here

Apple wood Smoked Salmon

7. Honey Smoked Salmon

This is just the recipe you need to whip up the tastiest and most succulent smoked salmon imaginable! The recipe shows you how to cure, dry, and smoke the salmon to get the best results. When the salmon is nearly done, baste it with fresh honey to add just the right amount of sweetness to the mix! 

Get the recipe here

Honey Smoked Salmon

8. Lemon Garlic Smoked Salmon

Tangy and earthy, this smoked salmon is sure to be a hit with everyone in your family! The salmon is brushed with butter and then covered in a garlic and lemon juice and zest mixture. For even more flavor, top with lemon slices before smoking! 

Get the recipe here

Lemon Garlic Smoked Salmon

9. Garlic Dill Smoked Salmon 

Simple yet delicious, this is just the recipe you need for a yummy and refreshing smoked salmon! The salmon is brined, tossed in a garlic and dill mix and then smoked low and slow. The result is a tender and perfectly flavored salmon! 

Get the recipe here

Garlic Dill Smoked Salmon 

10. Smoked Salmon with Garlic Dijon Herb Butter

Want to impress dinner guests with your fancy smoking skills? Then this is the recipe to try out - don't worry, it is quite simple! All you have to do is slice the salmon into slices and then brush with a homemade herb and dijon butter sauce. Then, top with lemon slices and smoke! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Salmon with Garlic Dijon Herb Butter

11. Brown Sugar and Dill Smoked Salmon 

The flavors with this smoked salmon are just incredible! Brown sugar and dill are the main elements of the dry rub. While the salmon is smoking, the brown sugar caramelizes, creating a sweet and refreshing flavor to go along with the natural flavors of the salmon!  

Get the recipe here

Brown Sugar and Dill Smoked Salmon 

12. Cold Smoked Salmon

If you love the flavors and texture of fresh salmon, then cold smoking is the way to go! This recipe shows you how to cure the salmon and cold smoke it so that you get a light smoky flavor and a silky texture. 

Get the recipe here

Cold Smoked Salmon

13. Smoked Salmon with Maple Orange Glaze

If you want to take your smoked salmon to a whole other level, then you have to give this recipe a try! Here, the smoked salmon is first brined for that perfectly tender and flaky texture. Then, it is smoked, with a maple syrup and orange juice glaze being brushed onto the salmon to form the most incredible flavor! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Salmon with Maple Orange Glaze

14. Smoked Salmon Burnt Ends

This is a great recipe for anyone who likes their salmon with a little bit of a crunch to it! The salmon is cured (with a little bit of hot honey too for some buzz) and then smoked. Close to when the salmon cubes are done, brush them with a mix of butter, honey, and sriracha for a truly delicious flavor! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Salmon Burnt Ends

15. Vodka Brined Smoked Salmon 

The vodka is perfect for tenderizing the salmon and adding a brighter flavor to the mix! The salmon is brined in a vodka, sugar, and salt mixture before it is smoked - the flavors of the brine are all that you need here! Once the salmon is cooked, serve with lemon and capers. 

Get the recipe here

Vodka Brined smoked Salmon 

16. Maple Cured Smoked Salmon

This recipe creates the most gorgeous glaze on your salmon with almost no effort! Here, you coat the salmon in a maple sugar, lemon zest, and seasoning cure. Then, drizzle the fish with maple syrup, wrap, and let sit. Once it is slightly sticky, smoke to perfection! 

Get the recipe here

Maple Cured Smoked Salmon

17. Cherry Smoked Salmon 

This recipe is perfect if you like a more traditional savory smoked flavor to your salmon. Once brined, the salmon is coated in a barbecue rub and then smoked with cherry wood. The slightly sweet and tart flavors of the cherry wood help to balance out the flavors from the rub. 

Get the recipe here

Cherry smoked Salmon 

18. Creole Smoked Salmon

If you love a ton of flavor to your smoked salmon then you should definitely check out this recipe! Here, the salmon is coated in a homemade creole seasoning and smoked. As it is being smoked, the salmon is brushed with a bourbon and maple syrup sauce to form the most incredible glaze! 

Get the recipe here

Creole Smoked Salmon

19. Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon

For this yummy recipe, you smoke the salmon on a cedar plank so that it gently infuses the salmon with that delicious flavor! That's not all, though, the salmon is coated in a homemade maple ginger glaze that takes the flavor to a whole new level! 

Get the recipe here

Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon

20. Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon with Garlic, Lemon, and Herbs

If you want lighter flavors with your cedar smoked salmon, then check out this recipe! The salmon is marinated in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest. It is then placed on a soaked cedar plank and smoked until it is all done! 

Get the recipe here

Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon with Garlic, Lemon, and Herbs

21. Apple Cider Cured Smoked Salmon

This salmon is brined in the most incredible mix - apple cider, herbs, and spices. All of this is boiled together and the salmon is stored in it. Then, let the salmon dry out in the refrigerator before smoking until it is nice and tender on the inside! 

Get the recipe here

Apple Cider cured Smoked Salmon

22. Whiskey Smoked Salmon

Adding whiskey to the brine is a great way to add an even smokier and complex flavor to your salmon. Not to mention, it is great for tenderizing your salmon too! Let the salmon sit in the brine before drying off, and eventually being smoked! 

Get the recipe here

Whiskey Smoked Salmon

23. Sweet Soy Smoked Salmon

If you are looking to try something a little different from the traditional smoked salmon, this recipe will show you the way! The salmon is marinated in soy sauce, agave, orange slices, ginger, and garlic and then dried out. After this, smoke to perfection! 

Get the recipe here

Sweet Soy Smoked Salmon

24. Mesquite Smoked Salmon with Lime Chipotle Crema

Want to add a Mexican twist to your smoked salmon? Well, this is the way to do it! The salmon is smoked over mesquite wood. And, when it is done, it is served with a homemade lime chipotle crema that adds the perfect smoky and creamy tang to the fish! 

Get the recipe here

Mesquite Smoked Salmon with Lime Chipotle Crema

25. Smoked Salmon with Honey Chipotle Glaze

Sweet, spicy, smoky, tangy - the flavors with this smoked salmon are hard to beat! The salmon is brined and smoked as usual. What takes this recipe to another level is the basting sauce made from honey, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, and garlic. The salmon is brushed with this until a yummy glaze forms! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Salmon with Honey Chipotle Glaze

26. Teriyaki Smoked Salmon

This is a simple, no-fuss recipe but one that still offers up a ton of flavor! The salmon is brined and then smoked. After the fish has been smoking for a while, brush store bought teriyaki sauce onto the fish at intervals. This creates a sweet and savory glaze that is just perfect! 

Get the recipe here

Teriyaki Smoked Salmon

27. Smoked Salmon with Bourbon Pecan Topping 

You haven't tasted anything like this smoked salmon before! The salmon is brushed with a sweet, savory, and tangy bourbon glaze. The salmon is then topped with chopped pecans and bacon for a crunchy and salty crust. Smoke until done and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Salmon with Bourbon Pecan Topping

28. Pepper Crusted Smoked Salmon

This smoked salmon has a wonderfully complex flavor and has a nice bit of crunch to it too! The salmon is marinated in soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and seasonings. Then, press ground pepper into the top of the salmon and smoke until just right! 

Get the recipe here

Pepper Crusted Smoked Salmon

29. Cool Smoked Salmon with Citrus

Want your cold smoked salmon to have a bright and tangy flavor? This is the recipe for you! Not only is the fish brined in citrus juice, but it is also coated in citrus juice and then sprinkled with a dry rub. Then smoke to get that beautiful balance between tangy, smoky, and savory! 

Get the recipe here

Cool Smoked Salmon with Citrus

30. Spiced Smoked Salmon 

This is a simple and delicious way to flavor your smoked salmon! The salmon is sprinkled with lemon juice and then coated in a taco or fajita seasoning. Once seasoned, the salmon is smoked before being served with green onions! 

Get the recipe here

Spiced Smoked Salmon 

Who could have guessed that there were so many ways that you could smoke salmon? Now that you know all the recipes, you can try new and fun flavors every time that you smoke this fish. This is a great way to switch things up with your cookouts! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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