During the summer I’m all about dishes that offer big flavor with little effort. The freshest salmon, flavored with a smoky-sweet spice rub and grilled atop a cedar plank certainly fits the bill. Easy to make with a distinctive smoky flavor this Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon is a dish you’ll be making all summer long.
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Why Cook Salmon on a Cedar Plank?
Cooking fish on a cedar plank is a traditional method of cooking for the Native American people of the Pacific Northwest. Ensure you get an untreated cedar plank meant for cooking (instead of treated lumber) which can be found at well stocked grocery stores or online. Grilling your salmon on a cedar plank imparts a smoky flavor and the steam from a soaked plank gently steams the salmon for a perfectly flaky texture.
Ingredients for Cedar Plank Salmon
- cedar planks
- olive oil
- salmon filets
- brown sugar
- smoked paprika
- kosher salt
- black pepper
How to Make Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
The very first thing you want to do is soak the cedar planks for at least an hour. This keeps the plank from burning (very important) but also keeps the salmon from drying out while cooking. Preheat your grill to medium high heat, wipe any excess water from the cedar plank and brush one side with olive oil. Place the salmon filets, skin side down, on the oiled side of the plank and brush to top of the filets with olive oil.
To prepare the spice rub add brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to a small bowl and stir until combined. Press the spice rub over the top of the salmon filets.
Place the cedar plank directly on the grill grates over indirect heat. Cover the grill and cook the salmon for 15 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees ( I recommend using an instant read thermometer to ensure the correct temperature). Remove from the grill and serve as desired.
If you like this Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Grilled Skirt Steak with Avocado Lime Crema
If you make this Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
Equipment
- 2 cedar planks
Ingredients
- 2 cedar planks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 6 oz salmon filets
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Soak the cedar planks in water for at least an hour.
- Preheat your grill to medium high heat.
- Wipe excess water from the cedar plank and brush one side with olive oil. Place the salmon filets, skin side down, on the oiled side of the plank and brush to top of the filets with olive oil.
- Add brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to a small bowl and stir until combined. Press the spice rub over the top of the salmon filets.
- Place the cedar plank directly on the grill grates over indirect heat. Cover the grill and cook the salmon for 15 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees. Remove from the grill and serve as desired.
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Jerika says
Thank you for this Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon recipe this will definitely added on my menu this coming weekend.:) We’re on a vacation in a beach so this is really timely. Thanks!:) YUM!
Nancy says
Delish easy cedar salmon
Amy Liu Dong says
Such a perfect dish to prepare for my lunch. It is so easy and delicious!
Ann says
I love salmon! Always a nice add to the weekly menu! This dish sounds delicious! Excited to give it a try! Thanks for the share!