Smoking salmon on a Traeger pellet grill is a delicious and easy way to prepare this popular fish. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to smoke salmon fillet on a pellet grill:
- Start by prepping your Traeger pellet grill. Set the temperature to 225°F and preheat the grill. Smoke with the lid open for 10 minutes to burn off any ash to get a good clean smoke. Hickory and oak are both great choices of wood for smoking salmon.
- While the grill is preheating, prepare the salmon fillet. Rinse the salmon under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Using a pair of tweezers remove as many bones as you can. Place the salmon on a sheet of aluminum foil, skin side down.
- To make the butter place 1 stick (110g) of softened butter, the zest & juice of 1 lemon, and a tablespoon of freshly chopped dill in a bowl and mix together thoroughly. Coat the salmon all over in the butter. Season the salmon all over with your favourite spice rub – we like to use Firefly Kansas Sweet & Smoky Rub. If you want to make your own rub see the Recipe Notes below.
- Once the grill is preheated, place the salmon on the grill grates, skin side down. Close the lid and smoke the salmon for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Once the salmon is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Serve the smoked salmon hot, garnished with additional chopped dill
Tips for Smoking Salmon on a Pellet Grill
- Customise the flavours by making your own dry rub using fresh spices.
Ingredients for Smoked Salmon BBQ Rub
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chilli powder (mild if you don’t like heat)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Use a wireless digital thermometer to ensure that the salmon is cooked to the proper internal temperature.
- If you prefer your salmon to have a crispier skin, you can remove the foil and place the salmon directly on the grill grates for the last few minutes of cooking.
With these simple steps, you’ll be able to smoke delicious salmon on a pellet grill in no time. Happy smoking!
If you enjoyed this article you might like to read about smoking a whole salmon here:
