Pellet-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze
Delicately smoked salmon with a sweet and sticky maple glaze, combining smoky depth with a touch of natural sweetness. This bbq & smoked-inspired seafood ready in about 100 minutes pairs skin on salmon fillet, kosher salt, brown sugar 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
- 2 lbs, skin on salmon fillet
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups pellet smoker pellets (fruitwood recommended)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp black pepper in a small bowl. Rub this mixture evenly on both sides of a 2 lb skin-on salmon fillet.
- Step 2: Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F using 2 cups of fruitwood pellets such as apple or cherry.
- Step 3: Place the salmon skin side down on the smoker grate and smoke for 1 hour.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup maple syrup with 2 tbsp lemon juice.
- Step 5: Brush the maple glaze evenly over the salmon and continue smoking for an additional 30 minutes until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140°F and the glaze is slightly caramelized.
- Step 6: Remove the salmon from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with extra glaze if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pellet-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (10 min prep + 90 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 Pellet-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 skin on salmon fillet from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pellet-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 Pellet-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 Pellet-Smoked Salmon with Maple Glaze?
BBQ & Smoked 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.
