Grilled Traeger Salmon is the perfect balance of smoky flavor and tender, juicy fish. The salmon fillets are cooked on a Traeger grill, allowing the wood pellets to infuse a rich, savory taste. Serve it with your favorite sides for a meal everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Traeger Salmon Recipe
Traeger grilling makes salmon incredibly easy and flavorful. The indirect wood pellet heat infuses a subtle smokiness that enhances the fish’s natural flavor without overpowering it. Here are a few reasons to try this recipe today:
- No-fuss cooking: The Traeger grill handles the temperature, so no babysitting is needed.
- Healthy & flavorful: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is perfect for a nutritious meal.
- Restaurant-quality results: Achieve juicy, flaky salmon that’s better than takeout.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Traeger Salmon
- Choose the right wood pellets: Hickory and Alder pair beautifully with salmon, while Cherry adds a slightly sweet flavor.
- Don’t overcook: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the salmon reaches 145°F internally. Overcooking dries out the fish.
- Room temperature fish: Let your salmon sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before smoking for even cooking.
- Skin-on salmon: Keeping the skin on protects the flesh and adds a crispy texture when grilled.
Variations of Traeger Salmon
- Maple Glazed Traeger Salmon: Replace honey with pure maple syrup and add a pinch of cayenne for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Teriyaki Traeger Salmon: Marinate the salmon in homemade teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Herb-Crusted Salmon: Top the salmon with a mixture of parsley, dill, and breadcrumbs for an herby crust.
- Traeger Cedar Plank Salmon: For extra smoky flavor, place the salmon on a soaked cedar plank directly on the grill.
How to Serve Traeger Salmon
Smoked Traeger salmon is versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas:
- With grains: Serve it over quinoa, brown rice, or a hearty farro salad.
- With vegetables: Roasted asparagus, grilled zucchini, or garlic green beans make perfect accompaniments.
- In a salad: Top mixed greens with Traeger salmon, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette.
- In tacos: Flake the salmon and serve it in tortillas with slaw and chipotle crema.
- With pasta: Toss it with fettuccine, garlic cream sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
How to Store and Reheat Traeger Salmon
Storing
- Allow the salmon to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
- Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
- To retain moisture, reheat the salmon in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes or until warm. Alternatively, enjoy it cold in salads or wraps.
Freezing
- Freeze leftover salmon in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
What’s the best type of salmon for smoking on the Traeger?
Wild-caught salmon like King Salmon or Sockeye works best due to its firm texture and rich flavor. Farmed Atlantic salmon is also a great option for its fattiness.
Can I smoke frozen salmon on the Traeger?
It’s best to thaw the salmon fully before smoking. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven cooking.
How do I know when my salmon is done?
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
What temperature is best for smoking salmon on a Traeger?
A low temperature of 225°F is ideal for slowly smoking salmon to perfection.
Can I use different wood pellets?
Yes! While Alder and Hickory are classics for salmon, you can experiment with Maple, Applewood, or Cherry for a unique flavor.
Traeger Salmon
Grilled Traeger Salmon is the perfect balance of smoky flavor and tender, juicy fish. The salmon fillets are cooked on a Traeger grill, allowing the wood pellets to infuse a rich, savory taste. Serve it with your favorite sides for a meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 lb side of salmon (skin-on)
- 3 tbsp grass-fed butter, softened
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Fresh lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Fire up your Traeger (or pellet grill) to 275°F.
- Lay the salmon skin-side down on a baking sheet and pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter with chopped shallot, chives, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Spread the herb butter generously over the entire top of the salmon.
Place the salmon directly on the grill grates, skin-side down. Insert the grill probe into the thickest part of the fish. - Cook for 35-40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F (or to your preference). Check at the 30-minute mark for doneness.
- Transfer the salmon to a clean baking sheet and serve warm with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 529Total Fat 34gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 158mgSodium 573mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 51g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Making salmon on your Traeger grill is the ultimate way to achieve smoky, tender, and flavorful results every single time. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can prepare a healthy, restaurant-quality dish that will wow your friends and family.
Check my other salmon recipes:
