Cuso’s Smoked Salmon Recipe

You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy show-stopping Jalapeno Honey Butter Salmon. This recipe is surprisingly simple and ideal for summer grill gatherings. The dish stays tender thanks to salmon’s natural fattiness. Add rich, smoky flavor, Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoning, silky butter, and jalapenos for zest, and you’re in for a captivating cookout with minimal fuss. The result is the perfect waltz between sweet and heat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple instructions result in big flavors
The honey glaze is undeniably luscious
Customize the heat level by using more or fewer jalapenos (or try serranos!)
Flaky and buttery every time
While this recipe is for a smoker, you can also grill or bake the salmon
Makes a pretty presentation, suitable for every occasion (or just dinner!)

Jalapeno Honey Butter Salmon Recipe

Jalapeno Honey Butter Salmon is a recipe marrying three delicious components: heat from the jalapenos, smokiness, and silky honey butter glaze using Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoning. The fish caramelizes beautifully, making a delicious meal with rich flavors in every bite.

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Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

45-60 minutes (or until 130-135 degrees F internal temperature)

Total Time

50-65 minutes

Ingredients

* Half a filet of salmon

* 1 tbsp Olive oil

* 4 tbsps of Cuso’s Hot Honey (2 for salmon seasoning, 2 for honey butter)

* 2 sticks of butter

* 2 tbsps raw honey

* 2-3 jalapenos, sliced

* Slice lemon (Garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your smoker to 200°F

2. Pat the fish dry and check for pin bones

3. Rub olive oil evenly all over the salmon filet

4. Sprinkle on two tbsps Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoning

5. Place the salmon on an oiled wire rack

6. Smoke for 1 ½ hours until the internal temperature reaches 130°F-135°F (I prefer medium rare).

7. While the salmon is smoking, make the honey butter by combining 2 softened sticks of butter, Cuso’s Hot Honey, and raw honey

8. Baste the salmon filet with the honey butter as it smokes

9. Remove the salmon from the smoker once it’s the desired doneness and garnish with jalapenos

10. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing

Enjoy the sweet heat

Tips for Success With Cuso’s Smoked Salmon Recipe

Purchase high-quality salmon. It’s the central theme for your dish
Pat the fish dry before applying oil (otherwise the fish steams)
Use real butter and the best available olive oil within your budget
Any honey will do, but you can try orange blossom or wildflower for a slightly different flavor profile
Try to keep the lid of your smoker closed. Every time you open it, smoke rushes out
Watch the internal temperature. Overcooked salmon becomes dry
Always allow time for the fish to rest to keep it juicy

Cook’s Consultation: Alternatives to Salmon

If salmon isn’t your fishy favorite, there are others you can try in this recipe. Options include black cod (buttery, slightly sweet), char (milder than salmon), trout (absorbs smoke really well), and tuna (rich and meaty), all of which are similarly fatty and flaky when cooked.

Mistakes To Avoid When Making Jalapeno Honey Butter Salmon
Putting the smoker up too high. The salmon will dry out quickly.
Using too much wood or smoking with mesquite. Both result in bitter fish
Waiting until the end of the cooking to apply the honey butter. The glaze needs time for caramelization
Overcooking. This results in rubbery fish
Seasoning too soon. Apply Cuso’s Seasoning right before you place the fish on the smoker.
Cooking cold salmon. Bring it to room temperature before grilling
Not oiling the wire rack. The fish will stick

How to Store and Reheat Cuso’s Smoked Hot Honey Salmon

Always cool completely before storing the salmon. Wrap the fish tightly with plastic or foil. They will be good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If freezing, transfer the wrapped fish to a freezer-safe bag (if you have a vacuum sealer, that’s best). The flavor remains good for two months.

To reheat it, if the salmon is still frozen, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator. Heat the oven to 275°F. Lightly spritz the salmon with water, place it in a baking dish covered with foil, and warm it for about 15 minutes. If you’ve saved some of the hot honey glaze, drizzle it over the fish when it comes out of the oven.

Alternatively, you can lightly oil a skillet on the stovetop with a pat of butter, cooking on both sides for 2-3 minutes

I don’t advise microwaving smoked salmon. It often results in dry, tough fish.

FAQs About Smoking and Glazing Salmon

I don’t have a smoker. Is there another way to make the Jalapeno Honey Salmon?

Yes. Heat your oven to 275°F. Put a pan of water on the lowest rack with the salmon above it. Glaze it as you would on the smoker, but consider adding a little smoked paprika or liquid smoke to the honey for that distinctive taste.

Is this a really spicy recipe?

It’s not fiery hot. However, if you want your dish milder, you have two potential remedies. Use fewer jalapenos and seed them, or use poblano peppers, which add flavor but less heat.

What are the best smoking wood choices for salmon?

Gentle fruit woods like apple and cherry won’t mask the salmon flavor, and add sweetness.

I’ve never had salmon before. What should I expect?

Unlike white fish, salmon has a pronounced fishy flavor. It comes across as savory, buttery, and slightly sweet.

Related Salmon Recipes & Blogs:

Salmon Recipes

Braided Cajun Honey Butter Salmon: Buttery, flaky, and exploding with Cajun flavor.

Honey Garlic Salmon: Glazed with Cuso’s Spicy Garlic Buffalo Seasoning, honey, garlic, and a kick of chili oil

Italian Salmon Poptart: Salmon seasoned with pesto, Cuso’s Grass and Gravel Seasonings, parmesan cheese, and sundried tomatoes wrapped in a blanket of puff pastry.

Cowboy Butter Salmon: With Cuso’s Cowboy Butter and Hot Honey Seasoning, nestled in a bed of fresh rice.

Cuso’s Smoked Hot Honey Bacon Jam Salmon: Bacon jam, Cuso’s Hot Honey, and salmon are luxurious together. Add a little balsamic, real maple syrup, and brown sugar - it’s magic!

Hot Honey Recipes

Hot Honey Lime Wings: Grilled with jalapeno lime butter, Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoning, and lime zest.

Hot Honey Bone-in Ribeye: Crust lovers, this recipe’s for you!Hot Honey Lobster Roll

Cuso’s Hot Honey Lobster Rolls: Tuna salad, move over. The lobsters have come to town.

Ready for More?

If you make this smoked salmon recipe, visit us on TikTok @cusocuts and tell us how it went. Did you change anything? How about other hot honey recipes? We love to hear your stories.

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