There’s something about simple grilled salmon that feels fancy, but in reality, it couldn’t be any easier. It’s all about temperature and time and this recipe will guide you every step of the way. From how to soak it to how to cook salmon over a cedar plank and infuse it with a wonderful smoky flavor. This game-changing recipe takes your everyday salmon to another level! It’s amazing how much flavor the planks bring to the fish. The first time I made it for my mom, she thought it was slightly smoked salmon, and if you’ve ever had bagel and lox, well, you know how flavorful smoked salmon is! The filet becomes wonderfully flaky and juicy with subtle hints of lemon and garlic. It’s light and refreshing and not overpowering at all. You don’t get a crispy salmon skin, but that’s ok because that’s not what we’re aiming for here. I like to serve this salmon with mashed potatoes, broccoli, or green beans. You can also try this garlicky cream sauce which is the perfect accompaniment to this salmon! If you’re looking for a recipe for fish cooked directly on the grill check out my fantastic tilapia recipe, or learn how to grill salmon. It’s cooked directly on the grill, which isn’t an easy job, but it’s something anyone can learn!
What makes this recipe so good
What You Need to Make Cedar Plank Salmon
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Large cedar plank: Or you can use 2–3 smaller ones and put them next to each other.Grill (gas or charcoal): I usually use my grill, but you can also use the same method to cook it in your oven. The whole side of salmon, or salmon fillets: If you can find salmon with the skin on, go with that as the skin helps the salmon stay together.Garlic: Minced raw garlic works best.Olive oil: Regular or extra virgin will work.Lemon juice: Lemon is a classic partner for fish.Salt and pepper: Season to taste.Water, wine, sake, or cider for soaking the planks. Keep on reading to find out why this is so important.
How to Make Cedar Plank Salmon
The prep for this recipe is very quick but you do have to plan ahead to make sure you have time to soak the cedar planks.
How to Cook Cedar Plank Salmon in the Oven
Don’t have a grill? No problem! You can achieve delicious smoky results in your oven!
How to tell if salmon is cooked
When cooking salmon, it should reach 145°/62°C. If you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, you can look for these signs that signal your fish is done:
Look at the color: When it’s cooked, the salmon will be an opaque pink.Check for flakiness: it should flake easily when pressed gently with a fork.
The salmon will continue to cook a bit on the hot plank after it’s removed from the heat, so it’s a good idea to start checking it early to see if it’s close to being done.
Expert Tips
Soak the planks. It is so important to soak cedar planks for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking on the grill. Placing a dry piece of wood on a hot grill could result in it catching on fire. It’s a good idea to keep some water in a spray bottle close to your grill in case this happens.Small pieces = less cook time. If making smaller salmon fillets, start checking them at 12 minutes as they require a shorter cooking time than one large piece of fish.
This super flavorful grilled cedar plank salmon recipe is a must-try. Share it with others and they too will be amazed by how easy it is to make and how deliciously tender their salmon will be! © Little Sunny Kitchen
