Deliciously Sticky Smoked & Candied Alaskan Salmon

Salmon fishing season is full swing in Alaska. We prepare freshly caught Sockeye salmon for the smoker by brining the fillets in sugar and salt for 48 hours, followed by air drying for 24 hours, then transfer the salmon to our pallet smoker. While smoking, the salmon pieces are coated several times with a glaze composed of cowboy candy and spruce tip syrup over the next 4 hours. The result, deliciously sticky and salty candied salmon. The salmon can be enjoyed fresh or vacuum sealed and frozen for a later date.
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- Eric & Arielle Illia
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[@MagdaRantanplan]

Bandits Pond is coming along well, looks huge already.

[@Flowergurl2000]

He is digging slowly to not disturb the cranes, lolz

[@markbrown6236]

I have noticed he like to dig every video.

[@aurorayamat2577]

@@Flowergurl2000 Po Po P

[@maryanich3828]

When we lived in Ak., we smoked our salmon with a syrup/brown sugar glaze. Painted it on every hour or so. It's delicious. And we used the cheap type of syrup! This video brought back find memories! Thank you.

[@wojomojo]

We usually rinse off the brine and add the glaze so you can control the taste better but it sounds like you guys did great!

[@portugalonawingandaprayer473]

Oh wow … so very interesting and informative … my mouth is so watering right now … you two are so well versed in everything you do from growing veg , looking after your animals , fishing and and and … (not forgetting your knowledge of your environment) but then you know how to preserve and cook it AND aware of what nutrition you need and the nutritional value of your food … very special acquired skills … I admire the quality of life you have, through hard work , carved out for yourselves … 😘🙏☘️

[@FeFeLaRoux]

Yay!! I was needing a dose of y’all!

[@seriouslyjoking2]

Me, too!

[@sauerkrautdreams685]

I get so excited when I see they posted a new video 😂

[@beckypincalifornia1985]

@FeFeLaRoux Can not get enough of them! They make my day!!

[@carpballet]

Very amateur smoker here. When they first tried it and were chewing and trying to figure out the flavor I smiled a little. I’ve had a lot of batches like that. Then there’s the magic batch. Where the first bite releases the first of many unbelievable flavors. Magic.

[@bobjarrard]

In Florida, we build outdoor screen rooms to get some relief from clouds of skeeters and other bugs. You can take the screen cloth off in the winter months. Might be needed at the lake cabin. I hate bugs. Bob

[@JohnDoe-dw7or]

Bob, are you in Nevada or Florida? PLEASE CONFRIM

[@melodyhopponen7504]

The whole process of fishing and smoking, packing, very nice. The color is just beautiful. Great job guys!

[@maighreadoleary9140]

I started rubbing me eyes I think I smelled the smoke! The fished looked amazing! Go team Alaska

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

Hey, that candied salmon looks real good Eric. Never had it! And the caviar Arielle that you prepare just simply is soooo tempting… I’m gonna have to drop in for a try… You are both fantastic!!! Keep making videos. My life sparkles when I have a new one to watch…all that smoke, I can almost smell it ❤️

[@brokejaw]

man, the difference between this and "wild" caught salmon at whole foods is like night and day.

[@SeanMootrey]

isnt this wild caught? just prepared differently

[@brokejaw]

@@SeanMootrey Ya thats what i'm saying, is that his Salmon looks healthier.

[@Selfsufficientme]

That was very interesting! Well done guys 👍

[@MrNoWaya]

Hey Mark, love your channel, cool to see you here!

[@veebear8364]

I love both yours and this channel!

[@jakew209]

*wave* G’day, Mark!

[@danrobsilva]

Enjoying that new wi-fi eh mate? Cheers Mark!

[@Alex_0Z]

Hey love ur vid too

[@janana6786]

It looks like you could use a long-handled sop mop like they use in southern bbq

[@TheMtggrl]

I don't hunt and I don't fish, but man oh man I enjoy watching the processes that the two of you use when you are processing your catch and kill. Very cool to watch the salmon go from fresh to smoked and candied, and like I said I don't eat fish, but I bet it is tasty. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@davidbacon4805]

Just tape the basting brush to a long stick at a 90 degree angle.

[@tarras3292]

You guys just amazed me at all the exciting things y'all do that I didn't know you could actually do, keep up with the amazing things, can't wait for y'all next video 💗❤

[@minalanzetta3484]

I just stumbled across your videos and have enjoyed the ones I’ve watched so far! I also want to compliment you both on how thorough you are in the different steps you took and the amount of ingredients you use, definitely helps the rookies learn, excellent videos. Look forward to watching more.

[@jefferybowman5858]

I never thought of building a smoker like that. Y’all gave me a good ideal for one.

[@ManiManiPlays]

Man, those flies really wanted a cut of that salmon. I don't think I've ever empathized with a fly before.

[@caropapa]

I am salivating at the thought, happily i have some store brought smoked cured salmon in the fridge, i love it on french bread with avocado and a squeeze of lemon and dill

[@roysmart4560]

Love your show’s..we are retired Alaskans.. from the Fairbanks area...built a log home...moved back to Arkansas...the Smart family

[@robertgibson9527]

Eric , I recommend you rinse the dry brine reds. Otherwise you will get a very hard fish when all that sugar carmelizes.

[@myksbox]

This vid is awesome, as is your result. I am constantly curing and smoking salmon, all kinds. I cure very similar to yours for 48 hrs to make lox. I do the smoked at 24 hrs, so it's a halfway between raw and that firmed cure. The air drying develops that important texture, but I've never done 24 hrs . Your results are excellent and the salmon itself is outstanding. Sockeye is best, hands down, but on the other end of the spectrum, the fatty atlantic salmon makes great smoked salmon too. The caviar is such a cool additional benefit, every bit as good as the salmon. You guys are doing it right!

[@meeshelly25]

Your set up reminds me of the days when my uncle would come back from weeks long trip in Alaska with all this amazing salmon and then he had gone to Mexico as well and caught tuna. Then he’s just cleaning all that fish at my house with all these huge coolers waiting for the fish to be cleaned. Some of the best tasting fish I’ve ever had.

[@MitchellsInAlaska]

You guys are always making something new

[@maryweldon6849]

OMG!!!! i want some! That totally looks amazing....if i were younger i would definitely live off the land and hunt & fish and persevere my food....i use to do a lot of gardening and canning but now it's just me so i don't just to much work for 1 person and i truly do miss all the fresh meat and veggies...enjoy your life as time goes by so fast

[@karinabritton946]

I throughly enjoy your videos. What a wonderful couple you are. ❤️👫

[@imgoodru2840]

I sooo respect all of the true hard work you both do. Watching u fish.. salmon. The hiking.. the cleaning of what, 27 fish... the smoking.. making chum for your dogs... Im sitting here in Philly thinking... I can't afford expensive salmon.... but its so easy for us to go buy food. The reward we city ppl miss out on...True fresh fish... I love watching your videos. Thank you. I am disabled.. well didn't used to be. Worked 40yrs in ERs, ICU & OR. AS a young adult I watched that video...(gotta find the name...) Richard Louis Proenneke.. (sp?)). I swor i was going to live like he did when I could retire. (Only thing I knew I would need a one room cabin already built. I didn't think I could do it alone) Anyway...due to my now physical limitations... im living life through you two young kids. Please don't ever stop... and a sincere thank you. May God always bless & be with you both...

[@straubdavid9]

Looks like a bit of a process, but like anything worth doing is well worth it. Take care Eric & Arielle ... the Sandhill cranes are pretty cool.

[@patriciaredick9849]

Always happy to see a video from my favorite Alaskan couple! Looks fantastic. Thank you.

[@purpletoad352]

What temperature does your smoker maintain? It looks like your shelf in the smoker is just wood and hardware cloth. Why not build about 2-3 sections that can just slide in on top of the current rake? That way all the initial prep can be done over a table not being hunched over. That would also allow different thickness meats to be put on different sections allowing easy removal at different times.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

We have plans for a improved smoker :) it runs at 140-160 F

[@hardenmama1800]

Hooray! A new video! You guys work so hard and really enjoy the fruits of your labor. What a nice snack you will have to enjoy.

[@godlessevilfeeling]

Eric has some balls wearing shorts around that area with the bog and woods, Y'all might not have to eat as much if you wore pants and didn't let the mosquitos drain all you blood. lol

[@user-hq3gn5xy3m]

Off topic but a big thank you for your gardening tips. I got a grow light and seed tray warmer mats this year as my seedlings are superb now. Huge tomato, cucumber, zucchini, spinach and beans that I transplanted this year. Big thanks!

[@tylerhenry8554]

I love how real these videos are I'm hooked

[@reno-koreanfoodlover6569]

Thank you for all your hard work 😊

[@LoveTheColorOrange]

Looks delicious! I love when you all prepare and cook dishes. It's great how everything is fresh and homemade. If you had a restaurant (and I lived closer) I would definitely be a frequent customer. See you next time!

[@fayelightburn9255]

Your candied salmon looks mouth watering delicious!! 😋😋😋

[@flipflopsneeded]

I can tell by her face it's way too salty. Lol 😆 She’s a trooper.

[@nealpersad]

Love these videos, I from the Caribbean but love the Cold 🥶🥶

[@ciberbri59]

gosh ... for bay area babies you guys sure make Alaska look and taste good. Amazing. Simple gourmet living alaska.

[@shotgunbettygaming]

You know what you do with those eggs? Roll whole sprigs of rosemary, thyme or other aromatic herb in them to cover all the leaves, then air dry them. When dried, pick up from stem and eat! They are very crunchy and extremely tasty snacks. Also very healthy!

[@ericdowney6374]

My dog's favorite treat of all time is smoked salmon skin. She gets lots of it too! You did a great job with brining and smoking those fish. Enjoy!

[@user-iw5ln8jl8k]

Eric and Ariel, You two are awesome! I just love your videos and how you both work together. I have never eaten any kind of salmon. I'm full blooded Italian so, raviolis, meatballs and sausage for me, oh and a salad.... LOL cant wait for the next video. Russ pennsylvania

[@caycebrooke5754]

I love seeing the summer fishing and projects! Your channel has really taken off and grown into a sense of simple perfection. Much love and be safe ❤️

[@brendalantz9785]

That salmon looks amazing!

[@vernlb1759]

Oh wow that looks good, love smoked salmon. Great Job

[@Iheartlipgloss22]

Wow! The candied salmon looks so delicious!!!

[@tnoel374]

Great video was having a cold one, nice smoked salmon.

[@kvloucks]

At the last part of this segment , you were talking about preserving in the freezer to make it lase. I noticed you grow your own celery. You can dehydrate your celery, powder it, and apply it to your preserved meats. here is what happens. A lot of people use nitrates to cause their preserved meats to last longer. Home dryed celery salt when mixed into your meat preserving compound will turn into a natural sodium nitrate thereby causing your meat product to stabilize for longer shelf life with or without having a need for electrical storage. Again, I greatly enjoyed the video you shared and I wish I could be there. Thanks again

[@angiegranberry3366]

That looks delicious 😋. Enjoyed this video watch thanks yall

[@downtonviewer]

I was concerned about the Sandhill crane finding a mate. I'm so glad! They will probably nest there in the bog. The young will migrate with the parents south, then back north before they will leave the parents. Then the parents will start all over...most likely for life. Please don't feed them as it may deter them from learning to forage as well. It may also expose them to the idea of humans for food and not everyone will take it well. I'm excited about the darn cranes! LOL!

[@richardfrank9317]

In Michigan they are protected, but farmers hate them, because they walk along the rows of corn as it is coming up and peck out every single sprout for acers and acers and wipe out huge portions of their fields. The government are always 20-25 years behind the times and wait for something to become a pest before de-listing it.

[@Flowergurl2000]

They would never feed them, they provide the big and bugs. All they need.

[@alannagilmore8982]

I am literally drooling! That is the most beautifully prepared fish Ive ever seen!! Now I need to travel to salmon country lol!!

[@beru1972]

Looks amazing. Cant wait to see garden updates in the coming weeks/months as well. Thanks for all of your content! Love watching your vlogs.

[@trutsieo5430]

Great videos. I keep checking to see if you post anything new as soon as I watch one video. There are so many things that you do & prepare for food. Love it when you go to the lake cabin, too.

[@deanebrownfield6866]

Oh my goodness! I would love to try a piece of your Salmon Candy! Personal preference, I would have rinsed off the cure before smoking and glazing to get rid of some of the salt so you could really taste the Smoked Salmon Candy and make it way more healthy as well! Wish I had some Spruce syrup and cowboy candy to glaze my lox as I smoked it! I'm sure it was as incredible as it sounds! You guys are so blessed to be able to catch, cure, smoke and glaze salmon from start to finish! Well done.

[@carollyngillespie3860]

You guys always make me hungry.

[@prajaktatate9486]

You can try just putting some salt, and red chilli powder and stir fry the eggs with the sack on slow flame and eat them (we in India do that)

[@jlit1336]

So glad u showed the cranes

[@HHeirloomIA]

Salmon jerky!! Lovely preserving. Feels good to put up delicious food!!✌💖

[@tsstitches1236]

Everything you make looks so amazing!

[@adrockey]

I'm drooling. That looks amazing!

[@MontsFamilyHomestead]

Wow, that was just cool. I bet the taste is really good.

[@rodneyhaymon3092]

I have to laugh every time I see your dog out there digging in the bog. He is bound and determined to have himself a pond.

[@TheOne-234]

You can tell there's a whole lot of good eatting in that house

[@Robertrls01]

I love it. nothing like fresh fish, totally jealous your able to do that right in your back yard... Great Video

[@MGMissy]

Drooling watching this -- that looked amazing!

[@REALCRISKO]

Great video guys. I wish you much joy and happiness in your Alaskan life.

[@renamaemcdonald2075]

That looks tasty! Love the way Bandit gets right in there 😆

[@darrenrieger4343]

You guys are so good at raising chickens and growing produce, you should build a trout pond!

[@karenjanisse3751]

Eric, I swear, you & Arielle enjoy food more than anyone else on this format. 😂

[@oscargrouchthegreeng]

I love the way you start your fires.. That's my method too!!

[@mediumpimpn]

Sandhill crane is DE-licious!!

[@plotwitch]

i have got to stop watching these videos when i'm hungry

[@maxkallio3723]

i remember when i was a kid when we did a dry brie we didn't add so much sugar, also we'd put a wood circle with a weight on top of the fish to keep it in liquid

[@YYChinook]

That looks sooo good

[@nikkolegardiner1130]

we use a garden sprayer designated for our cooking. it saves your eyes and arms! uses a bit more product but not a ton.

[@kimber6609]

Yum, looks great!! The color is amazing!!

[@gamecockmike175]

You guys are making me hungry. Now I want fish. I'm going to agree with her. Add the brown sugar to equal it out but i'm a huge believer in the flavors being even. I want as much sweetness as saltiness. Great job guys

[@connielikens3415]

You know?, This is something I probably will never do! But how fun is this video?! I enjoy your videos so much! You live a very different life than mine but I have much respect for yours. Thank you for sharing your life!

[@connielikens3415]

BTW: The smoked Candied salmon reminds me of teriyaki salmon jerkey. Just add some teriyaki sauce to your brine!!

[@jaynewebb4224]

That salmon looked delicious 😋...loved the video again🥰

[@wishbone20t]

I got to say that red salmon looks amazing, to expensive for my blood here in Arizona to buy a bulk of it. You can also rinse them when you remove them from the brine, that will remove a lot of salt they will still dry nicely. When they dry that creates the sticky skin that is needed to hold the smoke. I would glaze them after they have mostly smoked, then allow them to finish off with the glaze. Food saver and in the freezer I have eaten it up until a year, It would probably last even longer but not in my house LOL.

[@onThisJourney]

My mouth is watering 😂❤

[@frankogara8774]

It looks very good..and it seems like taste also good..👍

[@amandalynn2433]

Duck fat spray works really well to prevent sticking when grilling/smoking.

[@willienillie6337]

Those are some nice salmons you got there.

[@olberarosa2346]

YUMMY it LOOKS GOOD

[@awrahmat4134]

I love salmon...you guys are really lucky, eating salmon for free...here in Malaysia, salmon is a delicacies..so expensive and not that fresh.. I wish one day I can catch and cook over there...

[@lararosevelt545]

In some places they hunt and eat Sandhill cranes. So cool that you have some there. We have them way down in Florida, too.

[@hiseitz]

I would have added more dry ingredients so it will draw out even more liquid. I used to use half kosher salt and half dark brown sugar. After, you need to soak it in cold water to get the mix off and rehydrate it a bit. The lower the temperature you can get in the smoker the better. Try to get the fish farther away from the heat. Maybe make the fire in a pit. Save any prunings from your fruit trees as these are great to use for smoking. Soak them in water so they don’t burn too fast. My mouth was watering. Looked so good.

[@katiedobson1993]

So glad for this video as we're sorting through stuff and getting packed up to head that way I needed a little inspiration today I checked this morning and no new video so I was so happy when it came up the salmon look amazing I've never eaten salmon but they look amazing

[@dryoldcrabman6890]

right on. thats really cool. and your dog is neat look also. :)

[@rayleeeastlick3989]

Klamath falls Oregon is watching

[@SeanInAlaska]

The dry cure is the same method I use for both bacon and fish, it is so yummy! You should pick up a wooden handled basting mop, attach that to a longer stick , then you can stand back from the smoke as you baste...great video guys!

[@massprokilla779]

Love smoked salmon

[@cody1niner3]

We will try this for sure, looks amazing!! I’ve never used birch for smoking… intriguing….

[@aaroncross2366]

I usually skin the fish for candied salmon, then cut it into 1" strips. I use 1 qrt water, 2 cups white, 2 cups brown sugar, 1/8 cup salt, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce to taste and 2 capfuls of orange extract. It ends up the consistency of a syrup. I make as much of this mixture as needed, and soak overnight in the fridge or cool spot, stirring the fish now and then, pat dry and let sit for an hour, then hot smoke with a little chief smoker using alder chips only. Use 4 pans of chips (4 hours), then just let it finish cooking until it is about like jerky. You will not be able to stop eating this. This makes the best candied salmon you will ever taste. Not salty, but sweet. They call this s-q-u-a-w candy in my neck of the woods.

[@cyjeren1627]

omg! drooling on keyboard.

[@onthego9825]

Got a brine all send you!!!! candie bars!!!

[@bigguix]

wow that color !