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Grilled cedar plank salmon is one of the oldest tricks in my book. My parents taught me how to do this about 10 years ago. It’s really easy to pull off and adds irresistible flavor. Cedar introduces a unique woody and mildly smokey flavor in a very short amount of time. That’s the true beauty behind the whole process.
For my recipe, I dress the salmon with a simple drizzle of maple syrup and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It’s the perfect complement to the taste and aroma that cedar adds to salmon without overpowering it.
How to Grill Salmon on a Cedar Plank
The process is actually really easy. There is just one critical step before starting. Soaking the cedar in water for at least 1 hour before throwing it on the grill. Yes, we’re not trying to start a grill fire. It’s ok if the cedar browns and sears (it absolutely will), we just want to prevent full-on burning.
This recipe can be made with individual portions of salmon or a larger filet you later cut. My only suggestion would be to remove the skin to take full advantage of the wood flavoring.
Place salmon on the plank right on the grill grates (directly above the heat source) and cook with the cover down for about 15 minutes, depending on the desired salmon temp. No flipping required. As a note, you don’t have to worry about turning the burner off where the plank is placed on the grill, the idea is to smoke/char the plank.
Where to Get Cedar Planks?
Most grocery stores will carry cedar for grilling. it’s obviously more popular in summer months. I’ve also used natural cedar shingles sold in hardware stores etc. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant so it’s not treated with coatings. You can also get them at Lowe’s and Home Depot in the grilling section.
Whole Foods has cedar planks more readily available year-round. I was able to fit 1 pound of salmon on a 5×11 cedar plank.
More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love
- Bourbon glazed salmon
- Salmon piccata
- Salmon with creamy avocado sauce
- Grilled salmon with basil butter
- Sesame ginger salmon in foil
- Blackened salmon with cilantro lime butter
- Cilantro lime salmon in foil
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe
- Prep Time: 60
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easy grilled cedar plank salmon dressed with a simple drizzle of maple syrup and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley.
Ingredients
- 3 6-8 ounce salmon filets, skin removed (1–1.5 pounds)
- 3–4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons minced chopped parsley, for garnish
- Cedar plank for grilling
Instructions
- Soak cedar plank(s) in warm water for at least one hour before grilling.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat for 10 minutes with the cover down (about 400 °F). Clean the grates well.
- Arrange salmon fillets on the plank and season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle each filet with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of maple syrup.
- Place plank on the grates directly above the heat source and grill for 15-18 minutes for medium.
- Give each piece of salmon a final 1-2 teaspoon drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Most cedar planks are about 5×11 inches. You can fit about 1.5 pounds of salmon on a 5×11 cedar plank. Buy in bulk on amazon!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 488
- Sugar: 16.4g
- Sodium: 324mg
- Fat: 18.6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9g
- Carbohydrates: 19.7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 57.9g
- Cholesterol: 161mg
Keywords: cedar plank salmon, grilled salmon
