Appetizers
Salmon Candy Bites with Flavorful Twists
Salmon Candy Bites with Flavorful Twists
Experiment with your own flavor combinations for your unique salmon candy batch, such as hot honey and chile or an Asian-inspired blend with soy sauce and spices.
Blog Post: Salmon Candy Reinvented: A Twist on a Classic Recipe
Salmon Candy Bites
Salmon Candy Bites with Flavorful Twists
Recipe Notes
- Advance Prep: 10 hours for brining and pellicle formation
- Yield: 4 as an appetizer or snack
- Method: Smoking
Ingredients
- 1 pound of fresh salmon, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the brine (Option 1 - Maple Bourbon):
- 1/4 cup smoked maple bourbon
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
For the brine (Option 2 - Lemon Drop):
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon, or more to taste
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- Splash of lemon vodka (optional)
For the Glaze (Maple Bourbon):
- 1/4 cup maple sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
For the glaze (Lemon Drop):
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey
You'll also need:
- Wire rack
Recipe Steps
1: Prepare the brine:
- For Option 1: In a bowl, mix smoked maple bourbon, maple syrup, and kosher salt.
- For Option 2: In a bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, kosher salt, and lemon vodka (if using).
2: Place the salmon bites in resealable plastic bags, then pour in the chosen brine. Seal and refrigerate for 8 hours.
3: After brining, rinse the salmon bites and pat them dry with paper towels. Place on a wire rack over a sheet pan in the refrigerator for 2 hours to dry and get tacky.
4: Preheat a pellet smoker to 250°F (120°C).
5: Prepare the glazes:
- For Option 1: In a saucepan over low heat, combine maple sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon. Heat until well mixed.
- For Option 2: In a saucepan over low heat, mix lemon zest, lemon juice, and honey until well combined.
6: Smoke the Salmon:
- Place the salmon bites on the smoker’s wire rack. Smoke for about 1 hour
- Start applying the glaze after 15 minutes, then baste every 15 minutes.
7: Apply the glaze to the salmon bites during smoking for a bronzed finish.
Recipe Tips
Experiment with your own flavor combinations for your unique salmon candy batch, such as hot honey and chile or an Asian-inspired blend with soy sauce and spices.
