This Traeger salmon recipe is the best way to make a tasty side dish with salmon that is juicy and flaky. The salmon filet is slowly cooked on a Traeger grill (or a similar wood pellet grill). This lets it cook evenly and gives it a wonderful, mild smoke flavor.
This Traeger salmon recipe is the perfect mix of easy work and great results. It’s topped with a tasty mixture of grass-fed butter, shallot, chives, and other seasonings.
My father-in-law just got back from Alaska on a plane with more than 100 pounds of wild-caught salmon. Our freezer is now full of Sockeye salmon fillets and Copper River King salmon (the BEST!).
It is a simple recipe that makes a tasty meal. For the best results, cook the salmon until it is flaky and tender and top it with a buttery, savory topping.
Cooking salmon on a pellet grill is a great way to add flavorful smoke to this healthy fish. With the right temperature, you can achieve tender, flaky salmon with a delicious hint of wood smoke. But what exactly is the best temperature for cooking salmon on a pellet grill?
The ideal temperature range is between 325-350°F. This allows the salmon to cook slowly so it stays nice and moist while also having enough heat to get a touch of smoke infusion. Higher temperatures can cause the salmon to dry out quickly.
In this article, we’ll discuss why 325-350°F is the perfect temp for pellet grill salmon. We’ll also share tips on how long to cook salmon at this temperature, what to look for when it’s done and how to ensure your fish turns out tender and juicy every time.
Why Cook Salmon at 325-350°F on a Pellet Grill?
There are a few reasons this temperature range is ideal for pellet grilled salmon:
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Slow cooking = moist fish. Cooking at a lower temperature allows the salmon to cook gently without drying out. Salmon can go from tender and flaky to dry and chalky quickly if cooked over high, direct heat. The indirect heat of the pellet grill, combined with the lower temp, keeps the moisture locked in.
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Thorough, even cooking. Instead of grilling salmon over direct high heat, the pellet grill’s convection heat cooks the fish all around it. This allows it to cook evenly throughout at the same rate. No more overcooked ends or undercooked centers.
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Just enough smoke flavor. While hotter temps would lead to faster cooking, they don’t allow the smoke enough time to properly penetrate the salmon. At 325-350°F, you get sufficient smoke absorption without overwhelming the flavor of the fish.
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Forgiving temperature range. Pellet grills can vary in actual temperature, and thickness of salmon fillets varies too. This range allows flexibility based on your specific grill and thickness of fish.
How Long to Cook Salmon at 325-350°F
Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your salmon fillets. Here are general guidelines:
- Individual 4-6 oz fillets: 15-20 minutes
- 8 oz fillets: 20-25 minutes
- 1 lb fillets: 25-30 minutes
- 1.5-2 lb salmon sides: 30-40 minutes
The best way to test doneness is by using an instant read thermometer. Remove the thickest portion of the fish from the grill and insert the probe into the center. Salmon is safe to eat and considered cooked to medium at 145°F. For well-done fish, cook to 155°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer, check for visual cues. The salmon should appear opaque and flaky throughout when poked with a fork.
Tips for Perfect Pellet Grill Salmon Every Time
Follow these tips for tender, juicy salmon cooked just right:
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Pat salmon dry before cooking. This helps form a nice sear and crust.
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Brush lightly with oil. This promotes browning. Go easy on thick sauces or marinades which can make the fish overly moist.
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Season simply. A sprinkle of salt, pepper, and other spices is plenty. The smoke flavor should shine.
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Use flavorful wood pellet varieties like apple, cherry, alder or maple. Avoid heavy mesquite or hickory smoke.
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Cook over indirect heat, with the pellet grill lid closed, for even cooking.
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Use probes and timers for best results. Check fish at the low end of cook times with a meat thermometer.
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Let it rest 3-5 minutes before serving for juicier fish that holds together better.
Signs Your Pellet Grill Salmon is Overcooked
If the temperature is too high or you cook the fish too long, you may end up with dry salmon. Here’s what overcooked pellet grill salmon looks like:
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Flaky texture throughout – salmon should still have moist areas between the flakes.
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Whitish color – properly cooked salmon is light pink to orange/red when done.
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Difficult to separate individual flakes – the fish shouldn’t be mushy but should still separate.
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Dry, cotton-like texture – overcooked fish loses moisture and can even curl up at the edges.
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Firm, chalky feel when eating – salmon should be tender and buttery, even with some toothiness to the flakes.
So keep an eye on your salmon as it cooks to avoid these signs of overcooking. Use the recommended temperature range, time your cook, and always verify doneness.
Pellet Grill Salmon Recipes to Try
Now that you know the ideal temperature and tips for success, give one of these delicious pellet grill salmon recipes a try:
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Cajun Blackened Salmon – a zesty, peppery rub adds big flavor
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Brown Sugar & Bourbon Salmon – sweet, savory and smoky
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Lemon Garlic Salmon Packets – steam in flavorful packets
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Salmon with Avocado Salsa – fresh and fruity topping
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Maple Plank Salmon – smoky maple flavor
The optimal pellet grill temperature allows the salmon to cook low and slow while absorbing the perfect amount of smoke essence. Follow the recommendations in this article for tender, flaky salmon with just the right hint of wood-fired flavor.
What’s your go-to method for cooking salmon on the pellet grill? Share your tips and favorite recipes in the comments below!
tips for the best results
- Most of the time, I like my salmon cooked to a medium temperature, which is between 125°F and 130°F. The best temperature for salmon on a pellet grill, on the other hand, is somewhere between 130°F and 135°F. The amount of time depends on your own preference. When you cook salmon on a pellet grill, there is less heat left over than when you bake it at a high heat. You can get a good idea of how done it is by using your digital thermometer and the smoker probe. To check this, you can also use a fork to remove a small piece of the salmon’s thick side.
- You can keep salmon leftovers in the fridge for up to four days. For some reason, the smoky taste is even stronger the next day after I put it on salads.
- Please use olive oil instead of butter if you don’t want to eat dairy. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the whole salmon.
- You can change the spices or aromatics if you want to. You could use smoked paprika, chopped dill, onion powder, or cayenne (for heat).
- You can make this in your oven, too. Get the salmon ready, then bake it at 275°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it’s the right temperature for you.
With this Traeger grilled salmon recipe, you’re sure to get salmon that is tender and flaky. It tastes great and is easy enough for the whole family to enjoy.
Say something in the comments or give it five stars if you try it and love it too!
why you’ll love it
One of my favorite things to do is make a side of salmon because it’s healthy, doesn’t take much work, and can easily feed the whole family.
While those recipes certainly have their place, this Traeger grilled salmon recipe is simplicity at its best. I like to cook the salmon slowly on the Traeger pellet grill so that it tastes a little more smokey.
But it doesn’t really take that long—just a few minutes to get ready, and then you don’t have to do much. The salmon is ready in about 35-40 minutes.
Simple and straightforward. A delicious salmon dinner thats even doable on a weeknight.
This easy recipe requires simple ingredients and just a few minutes of prep time. However, the type of salmon you choose matters. If you can, use wild-caught salmon. It will taste and be healthier, and it will also work really well.
It doesn’t really matter if the salmon is frozen or fresh. In some places, even “fresh” salmon sold at the seafood counter in stores has been frozen before. Just make sure its thawed completely before you start.
For this Traeger salmon recipe, you will need:
- salmon on the side, preferably wild-caught (I like Alaskan salmon )
- salted grass-fed butter, softened
- shallot, chopped small
- fresh chives, chopped small
- fresh parsley, chopped small
- garlic powder
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- fresh lemon juice or lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
When it comes to equipment, make sure you have a good instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon. I just got this one and its great for the price. I use the probe on my Traeger to monitor the temperature but I also like to get a second reading with a separate digital meat thermometer.
A baking sheet is also useful. You can prepare the salmon fillet on it and carry it out to the pellet grill once its done preheating.
The ONLY Way I Smoke Salmon on a Pellet Grill!!
FAQ
How long to smoke salmon at 350?
How long to smoke salmon at 225 Traeger?
How long should I smoke salmon at 275 degrees?
How do you cook salmon on a pellet grill?
Place the salmon fillet on a large baking sheet, skin side down. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the top of the salmon. Step 3: When the pellet grill has reached the correct temperature, place the salmon skin side down directly on the grill grates. Cook for about 1 hour at 275-300 degrees F.
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides healthy fatty acids for the body. It contains large amounts of omega 3, which prevents cardiovascular diseases, has anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents certain types of Cancer.
How do I choose the best salmon for a pellet grill?
When choosing your salmon look for a filet that is a deep orange or red in color. This is an indicator the fish is fresh, you want the freshest fish you can get. Most often wild-caught salmon will give you the best flavor. Before you smoke your salmon on a pellet grill, it is necessary to prepare your salmon correctly.
Can you smoke salmon on a pellet grill?
No, searing your salmon on a pellet grill is much different than smoking salmon. Smoking salmon often requires a brine as well as a cook time of longer than an hour. Simply grilling salmon on your pellet grill only takes 15-20 minutes.