Step 1: Selecting Your Salmon

Choose a high-quality, fresh or frozen salmon fillet. Wild-caught varieties like Sockeye or Coho are recommended for their flavor and texture.

Step 2: Preparing the Salmon

Trim and clean the salmon: Remove any thin edges from the fillet and use tweezers to pluck out any pin bones.

Make the cure: Mix kosher salt and sugar in equal parts.

Cure the salmon: Lay the salmon skin-side down on a tray lined with plastic wrap. Cover both sides with the curing mix. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Step 3: Forming the Pellicle

Rinse the salmon: After curing, rinse off the cure under cold water and pat the salmon dry with paper towels.

Dry the salmon: Place it skin-side down on a wire rack in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 2-8 hours. This step allows the surface of the salmon to develop a tacky layer, known as the pellicle, which helps the smoke adhere to the fish.

Step 4: Setting Up Your Smoker

Prepare the smoker: Ensure it can maintain a consistent low temperature, ideally around 80°F and below 86°F.

Add ice: Place a tray of ice in the smoker to help keep the temperature down.

Add wood chips: Alder, apple, or maple chips are great choices for a mild, sweet smoke.

Step 5: Smoking the Salmon

Place the salmon in the smoker: Use the wire rack or place the salmon directly on the smoker grates.

Smoke the salmon: Cold smoke for 6-12 hours, depending on your preferred level of smokiness.

Monitor the smoker: Check periodically to replenish ice and wood chips as necessary.

Step 6: Post-Smoke Handling

Wrap the salmon: Once smoking is complete, wrap the salmon tightly in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.

Step 7: Slicing and Serving

Slice the salmon thinly: Use a long, sharp knife, slicing at an angle against the grain of the fish.

Serve and enjoy: Cold smoked salmon can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from being the star of a bagel with cream cheese to elegant appetizers or a flavorful addition to salads and pasta dishes.