Smoked salmon is already a favorite of mine for its intense salty, savory flavor. In this recipe, I’ve added a sweet and rich glaze that coats the salmon, giving it a delightful maple-smoked bacon quality. Enjoy these bites on their own, or use them to top salads, flatbreads, or sandwiches. They would make a fantastic stand-in for bacon in a salmon BLT!
Equipment
- Smoker
- Wood chips for smoking (cherry wood recommended)
Ingredients
- 4-5 lbs salmon (preferably a whole side)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- ¾ cup 100% maple syrup
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
Prepare the Salmon:
- Slice the salmon into approximately 1-inch by 1-inch cubes. You should get about 35 pieces from a whole side of salmon.
Make the Marinade:
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, kosher salt, maple syrup, and honey with 2 cups of water.
- Add the salmon cubes to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat the Smoker:
- When you’re ready to cook, preheat your smoker to 180°F (82°C).
Prepare the Smoker:
- Cover the grates in your smoker with aluminum foil. Place the salmon cubes onto the foil, spaced at least 1 inch apart. Reserve any extra marinade liquid.
Start Smoking:
- Add wood chips to your smoker, close it, and smoke the salmon for 1 hour.
Make the Glaze:
- While the salmon is smoking, pour the remaining marinade liquid into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly reduced, forming a glaze. You may see a film on the surface, which is excess protein from the salmon and can be skimmed off if desired.
Continue Smoking:
- After the first hour, flip the salmon cubes and brush them with the reduced glaze.
- Continue smoking for an additional 4-5 hours, flipping the cubes and brushing with more glaze every 45 minutes. Depending on your smoker setup, you may also need to rotate the racks for even smoking.
Check for Doneness:
- The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) and the glaze has caramelized around the cubes.
Serve:
- Enjoy your Candied Smoked Salmon Bites as a snack, appetizer, or topping!
