Brine for Smoked Salmon

This salmon brine for smoking is made with lots of citrus flavors. It is also excellent for trout. This recipe makes enough to brine two large salmon fillets.

• Preparation Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 82 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Pour water into a large bowl or small bucket. If using a pot, use one that does not contain aluminum. Stir in kosher salt, white sugar, brown sugar, lemon pepper, and seasoning mix. Add garlic, hot pepper sauce, lemons, oranges, lime, and onion.

Step 2

Soak your salmon in this brine in the refrigerator for 12 to 36 hours.

Step 3

Smoke using your desired method (see Cook's Note).