The Secrets of Smoking Seafood

Here in Texas we all love our beef and pork. But if you haven't explored smoked seafood yet, you're missing out!
After all, our proximity to the Gulf means it's possible to get extremely fresh, tasty seafood. And smoked seafood takes fish and shrimp up to a whole other level.
Use these tips to add seafood smoking to your repertoire.
Choosing the Right Seafood
Start with fresh, firm, oily fish. Good choices include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Mackerel
- Trout
- Swordfish
- Shark
Any of these fish hold up extremely well under the smoking process. They remain in tact and they absorb that lovely smoky flavor.
You can smoke delicate options like tilapia, shrimp, or whitefish, but you'll need to lower the temperature and shorten smoking times.
Always brine or marinate the fish before smoking to develop the best flavor. Check out these marinade recipes to get started.
Mastering Temperature Control
When smoking seafood, you want to keep the temperature between 180℉ and 225℉. The precise temperature control capabilities of any Lone Star Grillz smoker make them ideal for smoking fish—our smokers are built for precise temperature control!
Selecting the Right Wood
Different wood types will result in different flavors, so you want to choose a wood that will pair well with your seafood. Mild woods like alder, maple, apple, cherry, and pecan are great choices as they impart a subtle sweetness.
Avoid strong woods like mesquite or hickory.
Of course, we also encourage you to experiment! Part of the fun is finding the perfect combination of fish and wood to bring out the flavors you love.
Prepare for Shorter Smokes
You're used to smoking meat for hours, but you may smoke certain fishes for as little as thirty minutes. Certain fish will need up to four hours, so read up on the fish you're trying to smoke before you set the time.
The size of the filet will make the biggest difference, following by the oiliness of the fish. You can also use a meat thermometer to check on it. Fish should have an internal temperature of 145℉ and then remove it from the smoker.
Get the Right Smoker
If you haven't ordered your smoker from Lone Star Grillz yet then reach out to order yours! Then you'll have everything you need to enjoy flaky smoky fish.