Alexandria Applewood Smoked Salmon
A delicate salmon fillet smoked with applewood and served with a dill cream sauce and pickled vegetables. A refined appetizer or light main course. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, applewood chips, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1/4 cup applewood chips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1, sliced into rounds lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh, chopped dill
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced celery
- 1/2, thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a smoker or grill to 175°F (80°C). Soak applewood chips in water for 30 minutes, then drain. Place chips in the smoker and add salmon fillets. Brush fillets with olive oil and place lemon slices on top. Smoke for 20-25 minutes until salmon is opaque and flaky.
- Step 2: While salmon smokes, prepare pickled vegetables: In a bowl, combine celery, red onion, sugar, vinegar, and 1 tbsp water. Let sit for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly pickled.
- Step 3: For the dill cream sauce, blend yogurt, sour cream, dill, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Serve smoked salmon on a platter with pickled vegetables and a dollop of dill cream sauce. Garnish with additional dill and lemon slices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Alexandria Applewood Smoked Salmon take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Alexandria Applewood Smoked Salmon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Alexandria Applewood Smoked Salmon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Alexandria Applewood Smoked Salmon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Alexandria Applewood Smoked Salmon?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
