Description
Cedar plank salmon is Pacific Northwest cooking at its most iconic — a side of salmon roasting on a smoldering plank of cedar wood, picking up a subtle woodsy smoke that no other cooking method can replicate. The plank insulates the fish from direct heat, which means the salmon cooks gently and stays impossibly moist. And serving it on the plank is about as impressive as backyard cooking gets.
Ingredients
- 1 cedar grilling plank, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
- 1 side of salmon (2 lbs), skin-on, pin bones removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Soak the cedar plank in water for at least 2 hours, weighting it down so it stays submerged. This prevents it from catching fire on the grill.
- Pat the salmon dry and place skin-side down on the soaked plank. Brush with olive oil.
- Mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Press the rub evenly over the top and sides of the salmon. Arrange lemon slices down the center.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 350°F.
- Place the plank directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 18 to 22 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily at the thickest part and reaches 125°F for medium.
- Keep a spray bottle of water nearby in case the edges of the plank ignite — a few flames are fine and add flavor, but you do not want a bonfire.
- Transfer the plank to a heatproof surface. Scatter fresh dill over the top and serve directly from the plank with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Soaking the plank for the full 2 hours is critical. A dry plank will catch fire instead of smoldering gently, and your salmon dinner goes up in smoke — literally.
- The plank insulates the bottom of the fish, which means the salmon cooks more gently and evenly than it would directly on the grates.
- Cedar planks are single-use. Do not try to reuse them — they are charred through after one cook and will not provide the same flavor or structural support.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Pacific Northwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 660
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 80