How To Smoke Salmon Without A Smoker? Step-By-Step Methods In 2022

Smoking salmon is a quick and easy way to infuse it with flavour and make it extra moist and tender. You can smoke salmon using a smoker, but if you don’t have one or want to try something different, you can also smoke it using an oven or a stove top. In this guide, we’ll show you how to smoke salmon without a smoker. Let’s get started!

1. What You Need:

Most recipes will tell you that smoking salmon requires a smoker. While this is true, you can also smoke it without any special equipment in an oven or stovetop smoker. In fact, if you have a gas stove with a pilot light , all you’ll need to do is place aluminium foil below the rack and close the door to create a makeshift smoker. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

Salmon fillets (with or without skin)

Salt

Lemon pepper seasoning  (You can also use any other spices or herbs that are available, but lemon pepper tastes particularly good with salmon.)

Oven safe pan  (We recommend using a baking sheet. If you don’t have one, an oven safe flat pot lid will work.)

Aluminium foil  (To catch the juices and help keep the salmon moist.)

2. Preheat Oven (and Prepare Salmon):

Preheating your oven is necessary for this recipe because it does not rely on a pilot light to smoke the salmon. With that said, you will need to preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 Celsius).

To Prepare the Salmon for this Recipe:

Wash and pat dry the fillets  (if they come with skin) and lay them in a single layer in the baking sheet.

Generously season salmon with salt and lemon pepper  (or whatever spices you are using) on all sides.

3. Smoke the Salmon:

To smoke salmon in an oven, simply line a pan below the baking sheet with aluminium foil and place it on the bottom rack of your oven. Then place the salmon on a wire rack that is placed over the top of the oven. By now, your oven should be preheated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 Celsius).

Close your oven door and let the salmon smoke for 10 minutes. If you are using a gas stove, place a wooden spoon between the door and frame to prevent it from closing completely so that there is still airflow in the oven. The longer you smoke the salmon, the stronger the flavour will be. We recommend smoking for 10 minutes because it keeps the salmon moist and infuses just enough flavour without overdoing it. If you’re curious, you can check out this article on how long to smoke salmon .

4. Serve and Enjoy!

When your smoked salmon is ready, remove it from the oven and serve it as is, with some fresh vegetables or a side of creamy lemon sauce. Store any remaining smoked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This recipe for how to smoke salmon without a smoker can be used to make delicious smoked salmon that tastes just as good as if it were cooked in a smoker. It’s easy, delicious, and can be made with just 6 simple ingredients.

Alternative Ways To Smoke Salmon Without A Smoker:

If you don’t have an oven or stove top smoker, there are a couple of other ways that you can still smoke your salmon. You can dry-smoke it by placing it on a rack over the pilot light of a gas burner (or grill) and closing all the doors and windows to prevent any airflow while leaving the flame lit.

Also, if you don’t have access to a gas stove or oven with a pilot light, you can try using a wok or skillet on your stove. Simply place the aluminium foil below the rack and place salmon skin side down in the centre of the pan. Place a metal bowl filled with ice over the salmon and cover the pan, being sure to close it tightly.

Remember that this recipe will not produce the same results as a smoker unless you are using a gas stove with a pilot light.

If you are using an electric or induction stove, the salmon may turn out overcooked and dry instead of moist and smokey because there is no real way to trap the moisture inside while still allowing the smoke to pass through.

Benefits:

If you’re still wondering what are the benefits of smoking salmon, then here are some of them:

Less expensive than buying smoked salmon – You can smoke your own salmon at home for a fraction of the cost compared to store bought smoked salmon.

More control over quality and freshness – Since you will be smoking it yourself, you have complete control of what goes into the process and an accurate description of how fresh it is.

Taste better than store bought smoked salmon – Because you will be smoking it yourself, you can make sure that the salmon has an amazing flavour which is far superior to any store bought option.

How Long Does Smoked Salmon Last?

If properly stored in a cold refrigerator, smoked salmon has an unopened shelf life of about 2 weeks. If opened, it can last in the fridge for up to 6 days.

If you freeze the fish, it will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

What is the Easiest Way of Smoking Salmon Without A Smoker?

Apple wood chips are an easy way to smoke salmon. There are several different ways you can do this.

– The first way is by placing the wood chips in a bowl and covering them with foil, poking holes throughout it so that heat can escape. Then place the bowl on top of the aluminium foil which should be placed below the rack where the salmon will be.

– The other way is by simply throwing the wood chips onto the bottom of your pan and covering it with foil, making sure to leave some holes so that heat can escape. Then place this on top of the aluminium foil below the rack where you are placing your fish.

Conclusion:

Smoking salmon without a smoker is possible with this recipe, but it will not provide the same results as cooking in a stove top or oven. However, you can still use this method to smoke your salmon and produce delicious, moist and flavorful results. Just remember to keep an eye on it and monitor the doneness of the salmon while smoking to ensure that the fish does not dry out.

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