A Pit Boss pellet grill makes it easy to prepare foods with a great smokey flavor, regular grills can’t do. Preparing smoked fish is extremely easy and flavorful. The key to smoking the perfect fish is to pick the best fish to smoke on a Pit Boss pellet grill.
Best Fish to Smoke On A Pit Boss Pellet Grill?
Fatty fish such as sea bass, salmon, tuna, etc are perfect for smoking. The fatty fishes will absorb more smoke than the leaner fish, giving you the perfect flavor with a moist texture you’ll love.
With so many types of fish available on the market, it’s challenging to know which types are best for smoking. Below, you’ll find nine of the best fish to smoke in your Pit Boss.
But first, let’s take a look at why fatty fish are the best for smoking. If you’ve never grilled fish before, check out my in-depth guide on how to grill fish on the Pit Boss pellet grill.
Why Fatty Fish are Best for Smoking
Fish that are found in seas and cold lakes are best for smoking. These fish have more fatty insulation, which helps absorb more smoke and keeps the meat moist during the cooking process.
Unlike the fat on a steak, the fat in high-fat fish is good fat, as it contains high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids.
Smoking lean fish such as grouper, or cod isn’t ideal. The smoking process will reduce the moisture, making them flakey and causing the texture to become tough and dry.
What Are The Best Fish for Smoking On A Pit Boss Grill?
While there is no right or wrong way to cook fish. Some types of fish will fare better on a pellet grill, depending on the cooking technique you’re using.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the most popular fish to eat. It has a high fat content, which makes it perfect for grilling, smoking, and searing.
Any type of salmon is good, but some people prefer smoking Atlantic salmon, King Salmon (Chinook) or Sockeye. That said, salmon is expensive because of the low supply.
The next time you see some at the grocery store, be sure to pick some up.
Sea Bass
Sea bass is a white fish eat with snow-white flesh and a firm rich texture. While not as high in fat as some other fish, it is a great fish for smoking.
That said, it. is an expensive fish to buy even when it’s on sale. It’s a great option, especially for people who don’t like to eat fish because of the fishy taste/smell.
It has a mild sweet flavor that tastes great when smoked!
Tuna
Tuna is a fatty fish that is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which makes it a popular fish for smoking. It’s an extremely easy to smoke that requires very little seasoning or a quick brine.
Sablefish
Sablefish is found in the deep sea waters and has a high fat content, which makes it perfect for smoking. It’s a pearly white fillet that runs a golden-yellow color when smoked.
It’s also known by the nickname “butterfish,” because of its delicate texture.
Shad
Shad is a member of the herring family, and contains the most fat of any other fish. This fish spends a majority of its life in saltwater.
When properly deboned, the oily fish is perfect for smoking.
Sardines
Sardines are small salt-water fish, found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean seas. There are 20 varies species of sardines and they are a member of the herring family.
Despite their small size, you can smoke, grill, or fry them. The flesh is dense, rich and oily.
Anchovies
Anchovies are small saltwater fish and a part of the herring family. Unlike other fish, they typically sold in cans or jars and often used as a seasoning.
Not as popular for smoking as salmon and tuna. Many people have learned how to make smoked butter and other dishes from anchovies.
Mullet
Mullets or grey Mullets are ray-finned fish that is a member of the Mugilidae family. Because it has large scales and thick skin, it is a great fish for smoking.
It has a rich nutty flavor, and is often referred to as “Biloxi bacon”. The high-fat content gives a rich and sweet buttery taste when cooked.
Herring
There are literally over a 100 different varieties. Herring contains more omega-3 fatty acids that both salmon or tuna, which makes it perfect for smoking.
When smoked it gives off a unique smoky, fishy flavor that true seafood lovers love.
Swordfish
Swordfish contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, making it a great fish that can be smoked low and slow and then finished off with a nice reverse sear.
The high fat content keeps the meat nice and juicy inside throughout the process.
Mackerel
Mackerel can be purchased as fresh, canned, or frozen variety. It’s an oily fish that is perfect for smoking, as it won’t dry out as much as other leaner white fish.
Opt for the fresh or frozen variety as they are great for smoking.
Carp
Carp is an oily freshwater fish that contains a lot of meat. It is a part of the Cyprinidae family.
Despite its poor reputation, it is a good fish to eat. However, it needs to b prepared properly, especially if you don’t like fish with a fishy flavor.
Trout
Trout is another fish that is excellent for smoking. When smoked, it has a subtle and intoxicatingly smoky flavor that makes it delicious.
Like other fish, it doesn’t require a lot of seasoning. Using a good brine will help keep the fish moist and provide an even smokier flavor.
Which Pit Boss Pellets Are Best for Smoking Fish?
Once you’ve picked the type of fish you’re going to smoke, the next choice is which pellets are you going to use?
You can’t go wrong with any flavor you choose, however, since fish is a lighter it goes best with sweeter pellets such as cherry or apple.
Avoid using the wood with stronger aromas, as they can overpower the taste of the fish. If you’re going to sear the fish, you could use harder wood, as it wouldn’t impact the taste.
However, whenever using the low and slow cooking method for your fish, stick with the sweeter pellets.
My favorite pellets for salmon is alder, but I’ve used both apple and cherry and it came out great.
Final Word
Choosing the right fish to smoke will make a vast difference on whether you cook it again. Any of the listed above are not only healthy but have a high-fat content that makes them perfect for smoking.
The next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up some fresh fatty fish to smoke. After eating smoked fish, you won’t want to prepare it any other way ever again!
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