Learn how to smoke fish at home with this delicious, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth smoked fish recipe. Smoking fish was never easier!
During the summer months, I catch and smoke a lot of fish up here in North Dakota. It starts with paddlefish snagging season near Williston on May 1. Then I’ll stay closer our home in Fargo and target walleye, crappie, catfish, and freshwater drum. In August, I’ll head west again to Lake Sakakawea to try and catch salmon.
Nothing brings out all the natural flavors of fish like some time in a good smoker. This hot smoked fish recipe requires some extra effort but it’s definitely worth your time.
Best Fish For Smoking
Here you’ll learn how to choose the best fish for smoking and how to get the perfect cook.
The texture of the fish is extremely important when smoking. Choose a fish with firm, dense flesh. This ensures it can withstand smoking without falling apart. Additionally, fish with higher oil content create a richer and more flavorful result. For example, salmon, trout, bass, catfish, and paddlefish are excellent options. I used paddlefish for this recipe, and it worked beautifully
Thin pieces of fish usually cook too quickly and dry out, while very thick pieces might take too long to smoke evenly. Choose fish portions that have a consistent thickness for even smoking. I like to go with a fillet that is about 1-inch to 1 ½-inches thick.
This smoked fish recipe will work with as little as 8 ounces of fish, all the way up to 4 pounds of fish.
Smoked Fish Brine
This smoked fish recipe is for hot smoking, so you need to brine it first. The kosher salt used in this brine works its magic and draws out the moisture from the fish which helps intensify the flavor and season the fish all at the same time. Don’t be tempted to use regular iodized table salt, as it contains iodide and anti-caking agents that will give your fish an unpleasant flavor.
Continue learning how to smoke fish at Wild Game and Fish.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
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