Applewood-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze
Delicate salmon fillets smoked over applewood with a sweet maple glaze that caramelizes beautifully. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 70 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, applewood chips, maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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
- 2 cups applewood chips
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak 2 cups applewood chips in water for 30 minutes before draining.
- Step 2: Season 4 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly on both sides.
- Step 3: Place the salmon skin-side down on the smoker rack and smoke for 1 hour, maintaining the 225°F temperature and adding applewood chips as needed.
- Step 4: While salmon smokes, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth.
- Step 5: During the last 15 minutes of smoking, brush the maple glaze over the salmon fillets every 5 minutes until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
- Step 6: Remove the salmon from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with fresh lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Applewood-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 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 Applewood-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze?
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 Applewood-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze?
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 Applewood-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze 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 Applewood-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze?
American bbq & smoked 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.
