Cedar plank salmon is a popular way to cook salmon that imparts extra flavor into the fish. Cooking salmon on a cedar plank provides some key benefits over other cooking methods.
Why Cook Salmon on Cedar Planks?
There are a few main reasons why cooking salmon on a cedar plank is advantageous:
- Adds flavor – The cedar wood infuses the salmon with its aromatic, smoky flavor as it cooks.
- Keeps moist – The salmon cooks more gently and evenly on the plank, keeping it tender and moist.
- Easy prep – Simply season the fish and place on the plank. No complicated recipes needed.
- Fun presentation – Serving salmon on a cedar plank has a rustic, elegant appeal.
The cedar wood imparts subtle, earthy notes into the salmon as it cooks. This extra flavor dimension is the biggest motivation for choosing cedar planked salmon. The salmon also cooks up juicier and more evenly when cooked on the plank.
How Does Cedar Planking Work?
Cooking salmon on a cedar plank utilizes the direct and indirect heat of the grill or oven to gently cook the fish. Here’s how it works:
- Soak plank – Soak cedar plank in water for at least 1 hour to prevent burning.
- Season fish – Coat salmon filet with olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs, citrus, etc.
- Preheat grill – Preheat grill to medium-high heat (350-450°F).
- Place plank – Place soaked plank on grill and close lid for 2-5 minutes to heat plank.
- Cook salmon – Place seasoned salmon filet skin-side down on hot plank.
- Close grill – Close grill lid and cook for 10-15 minutes until salmon is opaque.
The pre-soaked plank heats up on the grill and imparts flavor to the salmon. The fish cooks from both the hot plank below and the heat from the grill above. This results in a moist, tender, and flavorful piece of fish!
Cedar Plank Cooking Tips
Follow these tips when cooking salmon on a cedar plank:
- Soak plank for at least 1 hour to prevent burning.
- Use untreated cedar planks to avoid off-flavors.
- Preheat plank on grill before adding salmon.
- Cook salmon skin-side down for easy removal.
- Use medium-high heat around 350-450°F.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes until salmon is opaque.
- Avoid overcooking – salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
With a small amount of prep, cedar planked salmon can be an easy and flavorful meal to make on the grill. The cedar wood provides subtle smoky notes while keeping the fish moist and tender.
Best Wood for Salmon
While cedar is a popular choice, other woods can also be used to plank salmon. Some top options include:
| Wood | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|
| Cedar | Earthy, subtle smoke |
| Alder | Delicate, sweet smoke |
| Maple | Mildly smoky, woodsy |
| Apple | Fruity, tangy smoke |
| Cherry | Hint of sweetness |
| Oak | Robust, grill-like smoke |
Cedar, alder, and maple are best for milder smoke flavor. Fruit woods like apple and cherry impart a sweeter, tangy taste. Oak provides the boldest, charred smoke profile.
Best Salmon for Planking
The best salmon to use for planking is wild-caught salmon filets that are around 1 1/2 inches thick. Recommended varieties include:
- Sockeye salmon – Deepest red color, rich flavor
- King salmon – Very high fat content, silky texture
- Coho salmon – Moderate fat, medium flavor
- Atlantic salmon – Abundant, mild flavor
Fattier salmon like King and Sockeye are best, since the high oil content prevents drying out. Leaner fish like Atlantic can work but require vigilance to not overcook. Aim for filets that are uniform in thickness for even cooking.
Best Wood Plank Salmon Recipes
Cedar plank salmon can be embellished with a variety of extra flavors. Try these tasty recipes:
Lemon Dill Plank Salmon
- Salmon filet
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon slices
- Chopped fresh dill
Brush salmon with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place lemon slices and dill on top of the filet. Grill on preheated cedar plank until cooked through.
Bourbon Plank Salmon
- Salmon filet
- Bourbon
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Mix bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and spices in a bowl. Brush mixture onto salmon filet. Grill on a preheated cedar plank until fish flakes easily.
Maple Plank Salmon
- Salmon filet
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
Brush salmon with oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix maple syrup and mustard and brush onto fish. Sprinkle with thyme. Grill on a preheated maple plank until cooked through.
Conclusion
Cooking salmon on a cedar plank infuses the fish with subtle smoky flavor while keeping it moist and tender. The cedar imparts its woodsy aroma to the salmon as it grill-roasts. While cedar is popular, other woods like alder, maple, cherry, and oak can provide different flavor profiles. Brush the salmon with olive oil and seasonings before placing onto the preheated plank for best results. In 15 minutes or less, you can have professional-tasting plank salmon ready to enjoy.