FAIL Amanda's Smoked Salmon Recipe/Video FAIL

[TedD]

Okay, I followed Amanda's recipe and video to the T. Nice 1 1/2 lb fillet of wild Sockeye Salmon ($17). Put it on to smoke at 225 degrees and set the timer for 3 hours since Amanda said 3-4 hours. 28 minutes later my probe alarm went off on my phone and said my Salmon had reached 125 degrees. Recipe calls for 140 but that seemed a bit high for me. Sure enough, I checked the Salmon and it looked done. Tasted it and it was SUPER salty and rubbery, almost dry. Was the fillet not thick enough? I washed the salt/sugar coating off really well - so why salty. I'm bummed. Threw the entire thing in the trash. What now? Everything else I've cooked using Traeger recipes has been great (St Louis Ribs, Pork Butt, Pork Tenderloins, Tri-Tip).

 

[Slimpicker]

Her video says 160° IT ... if you mute the video and use CC you can read cook to IT of 160°

I cook salmons on my gas grill at close to 400° and it never gets one "done" sooner than 20 min

I know what this chart says but that's not what she says... and I suggest your silverton wasn't at 225° unless you could verify this with a 3rd party temp probe. You might have been cooking up to 30° off using only a Traeger temp.

 

[Roastlamb]

Hi Ted,

I have done the "Traeger Smoked Salmon" or Amanda Hass' version a lot and haven't found it to be too salty, see attached photos of the ones I did over the holidays.

What salt are you using? I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. I would give it another go, try the Diamond Crystal if you can find it. The recipe on the Traeger app calls for 1/2 cup of salt to 1 cup of brown sugar. Did you also let it dry over night uncovered in the fridge?

Did it have the skin on? I did a side with no skin once and it was quite dry.

I agree with @Slimpicker on the temperature of the Traeger. I actually smoke my salmon at about 170-180f and it usually takes 4 hours. I did have an issue in the summer when it was very hot outside and the temperature of the Traeger was way too high due to the sun beaming down on it and it cooked a side of trout in about a quarter fo the time.

Reach out it you have any more questions, it is well worth it when you do it... grab some nice bagels, cream cheese and capers

Cheers!