Juicy Cedar Planked Salmon Recipe: Smoky Outdoor Flavor Delight

Grilling cedar planked salmon brings an extraordinary smoky dimension to your seafood experience.

Pacific Northwest traditions inspire this remarkable cooking method that infuses delicate fish with rich woodland essence.

Wooden planks create a natural barrier between flames and delicate protein, ensuring tender, perfectly cooked results.

Chefs around coastal regions have long appreciated this indigenous technique for its incredible flavor complexity.

Wild-caught salmon pairs beautifully with subtle cedar undertones, creating a sensory journey on your plate.

Minimal seasoning allows the fish’s natural qualities to shine through this elegant preparation.

You’ll want to savor every nuanced bite of this remarkable culinary adventure.

What’s to Love About Cedar Planked Salmon

• Elevate Flavor Infusion: Marinate salmon in a rich blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, and aromatic ginger that transforms ordinary fish into a gourmet experience with complex, layered tastes.
• Simplify Grilling Technique: Cedar plank method ensures perfectly cooked salmon without risk of sticking or falling apart, making outdoor cooking accessible for home chefs of all skill levels.
• Create Impressive Presentation: Serve salmon directly on smoky cedar planks for a stunning, restaurant-quality dish that looks professionally prepared with minimal extra effort.
• Boost Healthy Dining: Salmon delivers premium protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making this recipe a nutritious meal that doesn't compromise on incredible flavor or culinary excitement.

What Goes in Cedar Planked Salmon

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, high-quality fish perfect for grilling with a delicate and rich flavor.
• Cedar Planks: Aromatic wooden boards that infuse the salmon with a subtle smoky essence during cooking.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: Provides a tangy and savory base for the marinade that enhances the salmon's flavor.
• Vegetable Oil, Sesame Oil: Helps to create a smooth and balanced marinade that keeps the fish moist.

• Green Onions, Ginger, Garlic: Fresh ingredients that add depth, complexity, and a bright, zesty profile to the marinade.

How to Cook Cedar Planked Salmon Like a Pro

Step 1: Soak Cedar Planks

Submerge cedar planks in cold water for at least one hour. Longer soaking time helps prevent the planks from burning during grilling and creates a more intense smoky flavor.

Use a large container or sink to ensure planks are completely underwater.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Vegetable oil
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Chopped green onions
• Minced ginger
• Crushed garlic

Blend ingredients until well combined, creating a rich and aromatic marinade.

Step 3: Infuse Salmon with Marinade

Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish. Pour marinade over the fish, ensuring complete coverage.

Let salmon absorb flavors for 15-30 minutes, occasionally turning to distribute marinade evenly.

Step 4: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat grill to medium heat around 350°F.

Ensure grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Plank and Smoke

Place soaked cedar planks on grill grates.

Wait until planks start smoking and crackling. Carefully lay salmon fillets skin-side down on planks.

Close grill lid and cook for approximately 20 minutes.

Step 6: Check Salmon Doneness

Verify salmon is fully cooked by gently testing with a fork.

Fish should flake easily and appear opaque throughout.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove planks carefully from grill.

Transfer salmon to serving plates, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful smoky presentation directly from cedar planks.

Tips for Flavorful Cedar Planked Salmon

• Soak cedar planks thoroughly to prevent burning and add a subtle smoky flavor to the salmon.
• Marinate salmon for at least 15 minutes to enhance its taste and ensure even seasoning throughout the fish.
• Check salmon doneness by gently flaking with a fork; it should easily separate when fully cooked.
• Use medium heat to prevent overcooking and maintain the salmon's moisture and delicate texture.
• Experiment with different marinades like teriyaki or lemon-herb to create unique flavor profiles for your cedar planked salmon.

Ways to Change Up Cedar Planked Salmon

• Spicy Asian Salmon: Replace marinade with sriracha, honey, lime juice, and ginger for a hot, tangy flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Style: Swap marinade ingredients with olive oil, lemon zest, fresh oregano, and crushed garlic for a herbaceous Mediterranean approach.
• Maple Glazed Version: Create a new marinade using maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and fresh thyme for a sweet and robust taste.
• Teriyaki Hawaiian Blend: Modify marinade with teriyaki sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and green onions for a tropical-inspired salmon preparation.

Best Pairings for Cedar Planked Salmon

• Pair Zesty Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp white wine cuts through the salmon's rich, oily texture with bright citrus notes and herbal undertones, complementing the ginger and garlic marinade perfectly.
• Serve Roasted Asparagus Sides: Grilled asparagus with olive oil and sea salt provides a fresh, green vegetable contrast that echoes the cedar wood's earthy undertones and salmon's delicate flavor.
• Create Wasabi Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a hint of wasabi add a smooth, spicy dimension that balances the salmon's delicate protein and enhances the Asian-inspired marinade profile.
• Add Pickled Cucumber Salad: Tangy, cold cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds delivers a refreshing crunch that lightens the meal and mirrors the recipe's Asian flavor elements.

How to Store Cedar Planked Salmon

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Microwave Reheating: Place salmon on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on 50% power for 30-45 seconds, checking temperature to avoid overcooking.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 275°F. Wrap salmon in aluminum foil with a splash of water or broth to preserve moisture. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, checking internal temperature reaches 145°F.
• Avoid Repeated Reheating: Reheat salmon only once to prevent texture degradation and potential bacterial growth.

Cedar Planked Salmon Q&A

• Why use cedar planks for grilling salmon?

Cedar planks infuse the salmon with a subtle smoky, woody flavor and help prevent the fish from sticking to the grill grates. They also create a unique presentation and keep the salmon moist during cooking.

• Can I reuse cedar planks?

Cedar planks are typically single-use. After grilling, they become charred and may impart a bitter taste if reused. For food safety and best flavor, it’s recommended to use a new plank each time.

• What type of salmon works best for this recipe?

Wild-caught salmon like sockeye or king salmon are excellent choices. These varieties have rich flavor and firm texture that holds up well to grilling. Fresh, high-quality salmon will give the best results.

Cedar Planked Salmon Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Cedar Planked Salmon elevates Pacific Northwest coastal cuisine with smoky, woodsy flavors that dance across delicate fish. Grilling techniques infuse rich cedar essence into tender salmon, creating a memorable culinary experience you’ll savor with each perfectly charred bite.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds salmon fillets

Marinades and Seasonings:

• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cooking and Preparation Ingredients:

• 2 cedar planks
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Submerge cedar planks in water for 1-2 hours to prevent charring during grilling, ensuring wood remains fully saturated.
2. Create a vibrant marinade by combining soy sauce, vegetable oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced green onions, grated ginger, and crushed garlic in a mixing bowl, whisking until ingredients are thoroughly blended.
3. Arrange salmon fillets in a shallow container and generously coat with prepared marinade, allowing flavors to penetrate for 15-20 minutes, periodically rotating fish to ensure even coverage.
4. Ignite grill and stabilize temperature at medium heat (approximately 350°F), preparing cooking surface for wood-infused salmon preparation.
5. Position water-soaked cedar planks on heated grill, waiting until planks begin emitting aromatic smoke and crackling sounds, indicating optimal cooking conditions.
6. Carefully position marinated salmon fillets skin-side down on smoking cedar planks, closing grill lid to create a controlled cooking environment.
7. Grill salmon for approximately 20 minutes, monitoring fish until it easily flakes with minimal fork pressure, indicating perfect doneness and tender texture.
8. Remove planked salmon from grill with caution, transferring directly to serving platter or individual plates for an elegant wood-infused presentation.

Notes

• Prevent plank from burning by soaking it thoroughly in water for at least 2 hours before grilling, ensuring a smoky flavor without charring.
• Customize marinade by adjusting soy sauce and sesame oil ratios to suit personal taste preferences or dietary restrictions like low-sodium diets.
• Check salmon’s doneness by gently pressing the thickest part; it should flake easily and appear opaque with a slight translucent center for perfect moisture.
• Experiment with alternative wood planks like maple or alder for different subtle smoky flavor profiles that complement the fish’s natural taste.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Northwest American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg