Cedar Plank Salmon
A whole salmon fillet grilled on a soaked cedar plank, glazed with brown sugar, Dijon and lemon. The plank smokes gently and keeps the fish from the flame.
Method
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Submerge the plank in water, weigh it down with a heavy mug, and soak for at least 1 hour.
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Heat a barbecue to medium-high, about 200°C / 400°F. For charcoal, bank the coals on one side.
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Mix the brown sugar, mustard, lemon juice and zest, oil, garlic, dill, pepper and salt in a small bowl.
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Pat the salmon dry and lay it skin side down on the wet plank. Spread the glaze over the top.
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Put the plank on the grill, over direct heat if it is a gas grill, and close the lid. Grill for 15 to 20 minutes, until the salmon is opaque and flakes at the thickest part, and reads 52 to 55°C / 130°F.
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Keep a spray bottle of water to hand and put out any flare-ups at the plank's edge.
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Slide the plank onto a board, and serve the salmon straight from it, lifting the flesh off the skin.
Chef’s Tips
- Use an untreated plank made for cooking. Wood from a lumber yard can be treated with chemicals.
- Do not skip the soak. A dry plank catches fire; a soaked one smokes.
- Take the salmon off at 52°C in the thickest part. It carries on cooking on the hot plank.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Pairing Suggestions
- Grilled asparagus
- New potatoes with dill
- A lemon and herb salad
Storage & Reheating
Keep leftover salmon covered in the fridge up to 2 days. It is good cold, flaked into a salad. Do not reuse the plank.
Common questions
How long does Cedar Plank Salmon take to make?
About 35 minutes of hands-on work — 15 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour of Soaking, so allow 1 hour 35 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Cedar Plank Salmon?
Use an untreated plank made for cooking. Wood from a lumber yard can be treated with chemicals. Do not skip the soak. A dry plank catches fire; a soaked one smokes. Take the salmon off at 52°C in the thickest part. It carries on cooking on the hot plank.
What should I serve with Cedar Plank Salmon?
Grilled asparagus; New potatoes with dill; A lemon and herb salad.
Is Cedar Plank Salmon suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, high-protein, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Cedar Plank Salmon?
About 422 kcal per serving, with 40 g protein, 7 g carbohydrate and 26 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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