Skip to main content

Ultimate Cheater Oven-Smoked Salmon

For oven salmon we use either an enamel-coated roasting pan or a foil-lined baking sheet. As much as we love cast iron for its searing qualities and overall old-school cooking coolness, fishy bacon and cornbread are never a big hit with the breakfast club. Any salmon leftovers are earmarked for Two-Timer Salmon Salad (recipe follows). It helps to cut whole salmon fillets into serving-size pieces before cooking. Pay attention to the thickness of the fish (the very thin ends take almost no time) and cook accordingly.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Four 6-ounce salmon fillets, rinsed and patted dry
1 tablespoon bottled smoke
4 teaspoons Basic Cheater Dry Rub (page 45)
1 lemon, zested and cut into wedges

Two-Timer Salmon Salad

1/2 pound chilled Ultimate Cheater Oven-Smoked Salmon (about 2 cups), flaked
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Fresh lemon juice to taste
1 hard-cooked egg, chopped (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    HEAT the oven to 500°F. Pour the oil onto a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Place the pan in the oven and wait for the oil to begin smoking.

    Step 2

    While the pan heats up, Brush the salmon with the bottled smoke. Sprinkle each piece liberally with the dry rub and the lemon zest.

    Step 3

    Carefully Place the fillets in the hot pan. If they have skin, place them skin side up. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Cooking time depends on the thickness of the fillets. The internal temperature of the fish should be about 125°F and the inside should look slightly translucent. The fish will continue to cook once out of the oven.

    Step 4

    SERVE warm with lemon wedges or chill it for serving the next day.

  2. Two-Timer Salmon Salad

    Step 5

    COMBINE all the ingredients in a bowl. Serve chilled.

Cheater BBQ
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.