Cedar Plank Salmon
In short: A salmon fillet glazed with maple, mustard and garlic and grilled on a soaked cedar plank, which keeps the fish moist and adds a gentle smoky aroma. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Cooking salmon on a wood plank is a technique rooted in the Indigenous cooking of the Pacific Northwest, where salmon has long been central to the diet. A soaked cedar plank sits between the fish and the flames, so the salmon steams gently and picks up a faint smoky fragrance. The glaze here is simple: maple syrup, mustard, garlic and lemon. Serve it straight off the plank with boiled potatoes and a green salad.
Instructions
- Submerge the cedar plank in water, weigh it down with a heavy plate and soak for at least 1 hour.
- Heat a grill to medium, about 190°C (375°F), with one side set up for indirect heat if you can.
- Stir the maple syrup, mustard, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil together in a small bowl.
- Pat the salmon dry and set it skin side down on the soaked plank. Season with the salt and pepper and brush with half of the glaze.
- Put the plank on the grill over indirect heat, close the lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and reads 63°C (145°F) in the thickest part. Keep a spray bottle of water nearby to put out any flare-ups.
- Brush the remaining glaze over the fish for the last 2 minutes. Slide the plank onto a board, scatter with dill and rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve the salmon straight from the plank with lemon wedges.
Tips
- No grill? Set the soaked plank on a baking sheet in a 200°C (400°F) oven and bake the salmon for 18 to 22 minutes.
- Use only untreated planks sold for cooking. Alder and maple planks also work well and give a slightly sweeter smoke.
Questions and answers
Do I have to soak the cedar plank?
Yes. A plank soaked for at least an hour smolders and steams instead of catching fire, and it keeps the fish moist.
Can I reuse a cedar plank?
You can use it once or twice more if it is not badly charred. Scrub it with hot water and no soap, and dry it fully before storing.
What do you serve with cedar plank salmon?
Boiled new potatoes, grilled asparagus, a cucumber salad or wild rice suit it well.
How long does it take to make Cedar Plank Salmon?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cedar Plank Salmon?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 41 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 41 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 470 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
