Cedar Plank Salmon

Using a cedar plank is the most foolproof (and delicious!) way to grill salmon. Serve it for dinner with veggie sides like Roasted Broccolini and Garlic Butter Potatoes, or use this technique to prep salmon for the week to use in a salad, like our BLT Salmon Salad, or in a grain bowl, like our Spicy Salmon Bowl.

We love using a cedar plank to grill salmon not just because it helps prevent the fish from sticking to the grill, but also because it adds a subtle, smokey flavor to the salmon. Who says you need to buy a smoker?!

Cedar planks specifically for grilling can be purchased easily online or at well-stocked grocery stores. To prevent burning, the planks need to be soaked for at least 2 hours in water. 

While the planks soak, you'll quick-cure the salmon with a mixture of brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. The rub both flavors the fish and also draws out some moisture from the flesh, resulting in a firmer texture. Of course, you can season the salmon with any kind of rub you like or skip the step entirely and season with salt and pepper right before cooking. Feel free to also use any of your favorite grilling spice rubs for this recipe.

Another huge plus of using a cedar plank? There's no need to flip the salmon while grilling. The technique cooks the fish gently and evenly in about 20 minutes.

You can reuse the cedar planks after grilling, but they may have a slight flavor from the salmon. Wash gently with a mild soap.