Salmon Candy Is the Trending Sweet-and-Smoky Snack That Has a History

Sugar and fish might sound like an odd couple, but trust us — they’ve got chemistry.

Right now, TikTok is buzzing with glossy, jewel-toned strips of candied salmon, lovingly glazed until they glisten like edible rubies. Videos rack up thousands of views as creators bite in, swoon, and declare it the ultimate sweet-meets-savory protein snack. And at the center of this craze? Idaho-based Solovey Kitchen, whose candied salmon has officially broken the internet (and their shipping department — they’re currently quoting a 3–5 week wait because demand is that wild).

But here’s the thing: while TikTok might be treating candied salmon like the shiny new toy of foodie trends, this dish has been around for much longer — and its roots run deep.

What is candied salmon, exactly?

First, let’s clear this up: no, it’s not salmon-flavored Jolly Ranchers or fish-studded lollipops. Candied salmon (a.k.a. “salmon candy”) is salmon that’s been cured, smoked, and glazed with sugar or maple syrup during the smoking process. The result? A caramelized exterior that clings to the smoky, savory fish like a perfect culinary hug.

It’s sweet. It’s salty. It’s smoky. It’s the snack that makes jerky look like it’s not even trying.

A tradition with deep roots

Long before TikTok, candied salmon was (and still is) a preservation method for Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest. For hundreds — possibly thousands — of years, Native tribes smoked salmon and glazed it to lock in flavor and extend shelf life. What began as a practical necessity became a beloved culinary tradition, and that history deserves to shine just as brightly as the TikTok clips.

Photo From: Authentic Indigenous Seafood, Candied Wild Keta Salmon

How to get your hands on it

Most TikTokers are buying straight from Solovey Kitchen, but that’s not your only option. In fact, if you want to support the people who created this food in the first place, look toward Indigenous producers.

• Authentic Indigenous Seafood, a Canadian cooperative, offers varieties of candied salmon with packaging designed by First Nations artists.

• If you’re lucky enough to live in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, or Canada’s western coast, check your local fish markets for Indigenous-run fisheries. Availability varies, but when you do find it, it’s like striking gold. Delicious, smoky, salmon-flavored gold.

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Yes, candied salmon is having its viral 15 minutes. But it’s more than a trend — it’s a dish with centuries of heritage behind it. If you’re curious, by all means, snag some from TikTok-famous sellers. But if you can, also seek out Indigenous purveyors who carry the tradition forward. That way, every glossy, sugar-glazed bite is more than just tasty — it’s a way to honor where this sweet-and-savory star really came from.

Because sometimes, the best way to enjoy a trend is to chew on its history, too.