How to Make Brine for Smoked Salmon - A Step-by-Step Guide

Smoked salmon is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a favorite amongst seafood lovers. Whether you want to enjoy it on its own, in a salad, or as a topping for your bagel, making your own smoked salmon at home allows you to customize the flavors to your liking. One of the key steps in the process of smoking salmon is brining, which helps to infuse the fish with flavor and moisture before it's smoked.

Making your own brine for smoked ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 (3 ounce) package dry crab and shrimp seasoning mix
  • lemon pepper to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 4 lemons, sliced and crushed
  • 2 oranges, sliced and crushed
  • 1 lime, sliced and crushed
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed or to taste
  • 1 dash hot pepper sauce

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 12 hrs
  • Total Time: 12 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 24
  • Yield: 1 gallon

  • Pour water into a large bowl or small bucket. If using a pot, use one that does not contain aluminum. Stir in salt, white sugar, brown sugar, seasoning mix, lemon pepper, and black pepper. Add onion, lemons, oranges, lime, garlic, and hot pepper sauce.
  • Soak your salmon in this brine in the refrigerator for 12 to 36 hours.
  • Smoke using your desired method (see tip below).
  • Nutrition

    82 cal.

    • Total Fat: 0g
    • Sodium: 3824mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 22g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 19g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 23mg
    • Calcium: 33mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 81mg