3 Ways to Smoke Salmon

Smoking provides the perfect enhancement to the flavor and texture of salmon, making smoked salmon a cherished delicacy.  Wild Alaskan smoked salmon stands out for its exceptional quality and taste.  If you are lucky enough to catch some wild Alaskan salmon, here are three distinct smoking processes for you to choose:  hot smoked (kippered), cold smoked (lachs), and cold smoked strips.

Hot Smoked (Kippered)

Hot smoked salmon is what most people envision when you say “smoked salmon.”  Also called kippered salmon, hot smoked salmon is fully cooked and has a flaky texture and a robust, smoky flavor.  The process begins by saturating fish with a brine, which can include salt, sugar, and various spices. After brining, the fish is dried then heated in real hardwood smoke.  Shortcuts don’t pay:  adding liquid smoke to the fish may contribute some smoky flavor but will not give the same robust, traditional taste found after salmon is smoked with real smoke.   Hot smoked salmon can be enjoyed in countless ways:  on crackers or bread, in pasta, mixed into a dip, stirred into chowder, mixed into an omelet, or enjoyed right out of the package. 

Cold Smoked (Lachs)

Cold smoked salmon, also known as lachs or lox, is smoked in real hardwood smoke at a cooler temperature, which means the fish is cured rather than cooked.  Made with wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, the result is beautiful, red smoked salmon lachs with a delicate, silky texture. The process begins with curing the fish in a mixture of salt-based brine.  Once cured, the salmon is smoked over a prolonged period, allowing the smoky flavors to infuse without cooking the fish.  Cold smoked lachs is prized especially in Europe, and is enjoyed by discriminating palates across the world.  It is delicious on bagels or toast, with cream cheese, served sliced as an appetizer, and enjoyed for breakfast or any time of the day.

Smoked Salmon Strips

Smoked strips are dense, chewy strips of salmon which have been cold smoked more than once, enhancing the flavor complexity.  This process takes time and care, and yields a traditional Alaskan snack food which is high protein and energy-rich.  Full of flavor, salmon strips can be enjoyed as a snack any time of day and are beloved by Alaskans and anyone who appreciates traditional smoked salmon flavor. 

You can find hot smoked salmon, cold smoked lachs, and salmon strips, made exclusively with the highest quality Wild Alaskan salmon, at Alaska Sausage & Seafood, a family-owned business for more than 60 years.  Bring your sport-caught salmon to be processed, or purchase commercially available smoked salmon for yourself, family, and friends. They can ship their products across the U.S. Visit their website or give them a call at (907) 562-3636 to learn more.