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    Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

    Irish Whiskey Salmon wrapped with Smoked Salmon

    Published: Feb 14, 2021 · Modified: May 26, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

    616 shares
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    5 from 80 votes
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    Pinterest image for Irish Whiskey salmon

    We love salmon at our house and my Irish Whiskey Salmon marinated and wrapped with smoked salmon was an unexpected gastronomical delight!

    The flavors that the whiskey/honey marinade imparted to the salmon were incredible. And the smoked sockeye salmon added another layer of deliciousness to this amazing dish!

    two portions of Irish Whiskey Salmon on a white platter

    I first sampled this dish while touring Ireland and later saw a similar dish served at Raglan Road in Disney Springs. Without a recipe to go by I decided to recreate this dish in my kitchen and the results were a resounding success.

    But after all it isn’t rocket science it’s cooking and the recipe couldn’t be any simpler to follow and uses easy to source ingredients. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

    What ingredients do I need to make Irish Whiskey Smoked Salmon?

    ingredients to make Irish Whiskey Salmon

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Irish Whiskey Salmon. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Do I have to use the smoked salmon in this recipe?

    No, you don’t. If you don’t have the smoked salmon or would rather skip that step, just follow the instructions leaving out the smoked salmon and it will still be incredibly delicious!

    What kind of whiskey should I use?

    Since this is Irish Whiskey Salmon, my whiskey of choice is Jameson, but feel free to use your favorite whiskey or bourbon.

    What type of Salmon is best to Marinate?

    I used Copper River Sockeye Salmon for my recipe it’s my personal favorite. The bright red color and mild flavor is what made a salmon lover out of me!

    Of course, you can use any salmon you have available in your markets. My two other choices are King salmon (chinook) which has a higher fat content and is considered to be the best of the Pacific salmon, and Coho (silver) which has a lighter, milder taste that pairs well with sauces.

    Atlantic Salmon is more plentiful and usually less expensive and can also be used. I prefer wild-caught fish to farmed seafood.

    *Farmed salmon is much higher in fat, containing slightly more omega-3s, much more omega-6 and three times the amount of saturated fat. It also has 46% more calories — mostly from fat. Conversely, wild salmon is higher in minerals, including potassium, zinc and iron

    How do I make Irish Whiskey Salmon?

    marinade for Irish whiskey salmon in a glass bowl

    The first step is to mix the ingredients for the marinade together, taking time to incorporate the honey throughout the marinade.

    salmon marinating in a white deep bowl

    Once the marinade is ready, place the salmon in a dish deep enough to hold it and pour all but three tablespoons of the marinade into the dish.

    Turn the salmon over to coat both sides of the fish, then place it good side down into the marinade. You should have removed any skin from the salmon before starting the process.

    *Marinate the salmon in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, if you have the time one hour is preferable.

    wrapped marinated salmon in glass baking dish with marinade

    Wrap the pieces of smoked salmon on the top side of the salmon fillets. The smoked salmon does not have to go all the way around the fillet.

    You want the slices of smoked salmon on the top of the fish so it can crisp up.

    crispy browned Irish whiskey salmon on a white platter

    This was Irish Whiskey Salmon was a delicious dinner. The flavors all came together and the salmon was moist on the outside with a smokey light crunchy layer on the outside. Perfection on a plate!

    Recipe FAQ’s:

    Is salmon an Irish food?

    Salmon is one of the most prized and tastiest types of fish that is found in Ireland and is enjoyed in restaurants and households.

    How long do you marinate salmon?

    Salmon should be marinated for a minimum of 30 minutes. One hour is better if you have the time. But don’t marinate the salmon for too long it can result in a mushy piece of fish.
    *Always marinate salmon in the refrigerator so that it stays fresh.

    Should you wash salmon before cooking it?

    The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.”

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    crispy browned Irish whiskey salmon with a lemon wedge on a white platter
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    5 from 80 votes

    Irish Whiskey Salmon

    If you love salmon my Irish Whiskey Salmon is going to become one of your all-time favorites. This flavorful dish might even turn a salmon hater into a salmon lover. It's perfection on a plate!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Marinate1 hr
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Irish
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 375kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 4 salmon fillets 5- 6 ounces each
    • 4 ounces smoked salmon
    • ¼ cup Irish whiskey or bourbon
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • ¼ cup cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon thyme dry or fresh – finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Italian Parsley finely chopped
    • 1 ½ teaspoons grated lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Mix together all the ingredients (except the salmon) together to make the marinade.
      *Make sure the honey is fully incorporated into the marinade.
    • Reserve 3 tablespoons of the marinade to use when serving the salmon
    • Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish or ziplock bag and pour the remainder of the marinade over the salmon. Make sure to get both sides in the marinade.
      *Marinate the salmon in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to one hour
    • After marinating, wrap the pieces of smoked salmon on the top side of the salmon fillets. The smoked salmon does not have to go all the way around the fillet.
      *You want the slices of smoked salmon on the top of the fish so it can crisp up.
    • Preheat oven to Broil
    • Place the salmon with the marinade in a baking dish, smoked salmon side up. Brush the salmon liberally with the marinade and place the baking dish under the broiler.
      Broil the salmon for 8-10 minutes or until it starts to get nicely browned on top. This should yield a crispy on the outside and moist on the inside salmon, just a touch underdone. If you prefer well-done salmon, reduce the broiler temp to 400 and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes longer after the initial broiling.
    • Feel free to baste the salmon with the marinade in the baking dish once during the process.
    • Use the reserved marinade to baste the salmon before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 856mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Ali Hanson

      February 19, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      Yum, I love salmon but never think to marinate it. This was very good, thanks!!

      Reply
    2. Amy Liu Dong

      February 19, 2021 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      This is so delicious and I am so happy to learn a new way of cooking my salmon. Thank you, Chef!

      Reply
    3. Leslie

      February 18, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love the way you make your restaurant styled dishes so approachable! This one is no exception! Delightful recipe!!

      Reply
    4. Stine Mari

      February 18, 2021 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      I’m all about that whiskey honey marinade. It is such a lovely combination, especially with all the herbs as well. A winner!

      Reply
    5. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      February 18, 2021 at 3:21 am

      5 stars
      I am planning to serve Salmon to my family this weekend and this recipe is perfect! Your Irish Whiskey Salmon looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    6. Ramona

      February 17, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      This is a really interesting recipe for a salmon dish! I am really tempted to make this for tomorrow as it looks super delicious and flavoursome. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    7. Lesli Schwartz

      February 17, 2021 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      This is such an interesting salmon recipe! One can never get enough salmon, and doubling it up is pure genius!

      Reply
    8. Monica Y

      February 16, 2021 at 8:33 pm

      OMG I need to make this recipe for our anniversary, this looks so delicious, you are making me hungry

      Reply
    9. Tasheena

      February 16, 2021 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      This looks really flavorful and delicious, thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
    10. Wanda

      February 16, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      I grew up river fishing with my dad in the Pacific Northwest so I adore all salmon recipes! Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    11. Kathy

      February 16, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      I finally had some salmon for the first time not long ago and I have to say it was pretty good. Now I know I can start making recipes with it. This sure looks amazing too. I will have to try it.

      Reply
    12. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

      February 16, 2021 at 10:36 am

      My husband would love this. He likes cooked salmon and whisky. I never thought to combine the two.

      Reply
    13. Lynndee

      February 16, 2021 at 10:36 am

      Oh, my! The hubs loves whiskey. But I’ve never thought of using it to marinate salmon. Must try this. Looks delish!

      Reply
    14. Catalina

      February 16, 2021 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! I want this salmon for tonight! Sounds like a delicious and fancy dinner!

      Reply
    15. Marysa

      February 16, 2021 at 9:14 am

      What a unique way to cook salmon! It is nice to have some different variations to try. I feel like we are in a cooking rut lately.

      Reply
    16. Nikki Wayne

      February 16, 2021 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      I would definitely use bourbon for this. Such a great salmon recipe.. thanks!

      Reply
    17. Gervin Khan

      February 16, 2021 at 1:16 am

      5 stars
      Another new way to cook my salmon and this one look so easy and delicious, yum!

      Reply
    18. Mar Wahrer

      February 15, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I love wild-caught salmon and I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. This recipe sounds heavenly!

      Reply
    19. Anosa

      February 15, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      I love salmon but I have never tried cooking Irish whiskey with it and can not wait to try this recipe.

      Reply
    20. Amber Myers

      February 15, 2021 at 11:49 am

      This looks like a delicious dish. I’ll have to show my mom–she loves her salmon and I’m sure she’d want to try this.

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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