How To Cook Cedar Plank Salmon On The Grill

Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe

How to Grill Cedar Plank Salmon | Flavor Makers Series | McCormick

In our cooking classes here at the Weber Grill Restaurant, we have showcased this recipe a number of years, with great success. One of our key tips is that you want to purchase salmon from the freshest of a source as possible.

Look for busy fish markets, or stores that specialize in seafood, so the inventory is constantly being replaced with fresh catch. When cooking this simple recipe, the raw ingredients need to shine.

Do You Flip Salmon When Grilling On Cedar Plank

Season the fillet first, then place it salmon skin side down on the charred side of the wood plank. Grill on medium-high heat with the lid closed until the salmon is just opaque in the center and begins to brown slightly around the edges, about 15 minutes per pound of fish. This salmon does not need to be flipped!

Can I Reuse My Cedar Plank

Yes, but I dont recommend it. Its tricky to reuse a cooking wood plank. First of all, its important to make sure that you use the same plank for the same type of meat. So if youre making salmon on the wood plank, use that wood plank only for salmon next time. Same goes for other proteins and vegetables.

Of course, make sure that the wood is not charred too much and can be reused. Clean used wood plank with a clean soft scrub sponge and hot water only, no soap. Wipe it with a towel, dry it, and store in the freezer.

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How To Prepare A Cedar Plank For Grilling:

  • You MUST soak the cedar plank, prior to cooking, in water. Or try soaking in a combination of water and a little white wine, cider, or sake to give your plank an extra dash of flavor.
  • Plan your cooking time to include soaking the plank for 30-minutes and up to 2 hours. The easiest way is to submerge on a baking sheet and then weigh down the plank with a ramekin or dish to keep it fully submerged
  • Pat dry before using for best results

Weigh down the plank while soaking

Grilled Salmon On A Cedar Plank

How to Grill the Best Cedar Plank Salmon

Grilled salmon on a cedar plank is simple and delicious

Perfect when paired with a crisp chilled French Rose!

Grilling salmon on a cedar plank is one of the easiest ways to infuse a soft smoky flavor. Salmon stays tender on the inside, because you are cooking it over indirect heat, but has a lovely roasted flavor on the outside.

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Char The Plank Separately

Preheat the grill to medium-high, about 400 to 450°F . Place the water-soaked plank on the grill grates close the lid. When the plank begins to smoke and lightly char, about 7 to10 minutes, flip over and remove from the grill to begin salmon preparation. This charring step allows the wood to transfer more smokey flavor before the salmon starts to cook.

Can You Reuse Cedar Planks

Yes! Cedar planks can be reused up until they become too charred, cracked or no longer easy to clean. Simply scrub off the fish and clean with hot water , then allow to dry completely. Store in a clean kitchen cabinet until ready to re-soak and re-use.

Keep in mind the board will absorb the flavors of whatever was cooked on it. In other words, I only use my salmon cedar planks for salmon!

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Do Restaurants Reuse Cedar Planks

The short answer is yes. Depending on the state of the plank after it has been used to grill or bake, you can get two or three uses out of it. But this depends entirely on how irrevocably the wood has warped or charred already.

How To Make Cedar Plank Salmon Two Ways

Cedar Plank Salmon – How to Cook Salmon on the Grill Recipe

Follow the same steps for soaking the planks and glazing the salmon, then choose to cook your salmon in the oven or on the grill. Both methods create flaky, tenderly satisfying salmon every time!

  • Soak the planks. For 1-2 hours submerged in water.
  • Preheat. The oven to 400 degrees F .
  • Prep salmon. Blot salmon pieces dry and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Shake cedar plank to remove excess water and arrange salmon pieces evenly on the plank.
  • Make the glaze! In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, dijon mustard, bourbon and garlic. Brush glaze evenly over salmon pieces. Top with a lemon slice.

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Topping Grilled Fish With Flavored Butters:

Compound butter, also called flavored butter, is one of the easiest ways to upgrade any recipe. You can make a big batch of flavored compound butter and freeze it, so you always have some on hand. For today we made just enough garlic herb butter for this recipe and its listed in the recipe card below.

Or top your fish, chicken or vegetables with any variety of our compound butters for delicious results.

Compound Butterwith Garlic and Herbs

Can I Use Other Wood

Yes. Ive seen several wood plank options like cedar, pecan, hickory, cherry, maple, apple and alder. Alder is a nice and mild option for seafood. Hickory will give you a strong wood flavor is thats what you want. Cedar is the most popular one though and you will most likely find it at any grocery store.

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Cedar Planked Grilled Cheese

Cedar planks take this everyday meal to the next level.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced

Directions:

  • Set grill for indirect grilling and set planks on top of it.
  • While waiting for the grill to heat, soak the planks for 15 minutes.
  • Place planks on grill. Close lid and let heat for 5 minutes. Assemble sandwiches open face style adding just the cheese. Put the sides of the sandwich on the plank and close the lid.
  • After 15 minutes cheese should be melting.
  • Open lid and put bacon on one side of the sandwiches and apple on the other. Let cook 5 minutes.
  • Open lid and finish assembling sandwiches. Put directly on the grill to produce grill marks if desired.
  • Now that you know how to make some great cedar plank grilled recipes, which will you be cooking up in your home?

    What Else Can You Grill On A Cedar Plank

    Cedar Plank Salmon on the Grill: Our Favorite Recipe and ...

    There’s no hard and fast rule about what you can and cannot grill on a cedar plank, and you’re only limited by your imagination. Asparagus and broccoli are great vegetable options, and one of our favorite more creative things to cook on a plank is Steven Raichlen’s grilled eggplant parmigiana from his book, How to Grill Vegetables. Tofu also works exceptionally well due to its ability to absorb smoky flavors.

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    How To Prepare The Cedar Planks

    Raw cedar planks are a great way to get some smokey flavor into salmon for a quick grill.

    With this method you arent actually smoking the fish, rather you are cooking or baking it fairly quickly.

    First things first, we need to soak the planks in water for at least an hour before we use them. This is going to stop them from catching fully alight and ruining your fish.

    Once they have been soaking for an hour, place the planks directly over the lit charcoal for 10 minutes to blacken the cedar on one side to the point where the plank starts to split.

    Then it is ready to be used.

    Once your salmon is ready you can move the plank away from the direct heat and onto the cooler cooking zone of your BBQ, place the salmon skin-side down on the charred side of the cedar plank.

    How Long Do You Soak A Cedar Plank

    Barbecuing on cedar planks adds a unique flavor, and its also a beautiful way to present food. Its easy to do if you follow some simple guidelines. Soak the plank for one to 12 hours before using it to grill food. This keeps the wood from burning and also helps to keep the food moist while its cooking.

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    Do You Flip Salmon On Cedar Blocks

    Flipping is a part of grilling most meat. However, when you are grilling on cedar boards, flipping is not necessary.

    Plank cooking is indirect. Therefore, the food is insulated from direct heat and it will absorb the heat throughout no matter what position it is in.

    However, you do want the board to be exposed to the direct heat of the grill, so it can smolder.

    Also, because the salmon will grill on indirect heat, it will take longer to grill. Count on it taking twice as long as it would for other salmon grilling recipes.

    Can You Reuse A Cedar Plank

    How To Cook Cedar Planked Salmon | Cedar Bay Grilling Company

    Yes, but it will have a less intense flavor output as some of the woods natural oils get used up from the previous cooking, making it drier. However, this can be partially remedied by lightly oiling the surface before soaking again.

    I tend to discard the planks after use because the salmon skin tends to stick to the board and its easier and affordable to buy new ones. Although if the plank is still in good shape after the first use, you can wash and dry it for later. I have also used the plank again but by itself. I place it on the side of the grill to add cedar flavor to other foods.

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    How To Make Cedar Plank Salmon Grilled With Lemons And Onions

    Ready to make this cedar plank salmon recipe? Heres everything you need to do, step by step.

    • First, soak the cedar planks in water, or your liquid of choice. Planks should soak for at least two hours.
    • Next, you need to marinate the salmon.
    • Lay the salmon in the bottom of a shallow glass pan.
    • Sprinkle both sides of the salmon with dill and ground pepper. No need for salt since there is plenty in the marinade.
    • In a small bowl, mix sugar, chicken bouillon, avocado oil, soy sauce, green onions, and garlic. Pour over the fish.
    • Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Marinate for one hour, turning the fish halfway through.
    • After one hour, preheat the grill to medium heat. Then drain and discard the marinade from the salmon.
    • Place the fish in the center of each plank . Cover each fillet with onion and lemon slices.
    • Transfer the planks to the grill. Check on the salmon halfway through the cooking time, being sure you have a spray bottle on hand to keep the planks damp if needed.
    • Grill until the fish is done, between 10 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.
    • Remove the planked salmon from the heat and tent with foil for 3 5 minutes.
    • Top the salmon with additional fresh dill and serve on the cedar plank for an impressive presentation.

    I serve cedar plank salmon with fresh grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes the entire thing can be made right on the grill!

    It is truly one of my favorite ways to cook and eat salmon!

    How To Cook A Cedar Plank Salmon In The Oven

    Cedar plank salmon makes a great addition to a meal. It is a tasty, healthy fish, rich in fatty acids and other nutrients. It also provides a whole bunch of protein, with little of the cholesterol that youd find in beef or pork.

    It can be a little bland, though, and if eaten on a regular basis it gets repetitive and boring. There are, however, some ways to improve the flavor of salmon and keep it interesting. One of the best ways is roasting or baking on a cedar plank in the oven.

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    Is Undercooked Salmon Safe

    There are no risks of eating undercooked salmon. If you can eat raw salmon, and cooked salmon, there should be no problem with undercooked salmon. The risk comes in after time where the fish begins to spoil. If you completely cook it, you will extend the life of the salmon and it will take longer for it to spoil.

    Is Cedar Harmful To Humans

    Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe

    Occupational exposure to cedar and pine woods and pine resin can cause asthma and chronic lung disease. We hypothesize that repeated occupational exposure to these substances might promote the chronic lung damage observed in some cedar- and pine-wood workers and in electronic workers exposed to colophony.

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    Why Grill Salmon On A Cedar Plank

    In addition to providing a great taste, grilling on a cedar plank is also best for tender meats, like salmon, that can fall apart easily.

    When you cook tender meat on a grill, it can stick to the grill and fall apart diving through the grates to its death. Cedar planks eliminate this issue.

    Furthermore, because you dont have to worry about the meat sticking to the grill, you dont have to cook with oil. This makes the food healthier and lower in calories.

    In general, cedar planks can be used to add flavor to food without the need to use a lot of additional ingredients.

    Because cedar blocks are wet before cooking, they continue infusing meats with moisture to keep them from drying out. This can be especially beneficial if you are grilling fish or chicken both of which tend to dry out quickly.

    Can You Reuse Cedar Planks For Salmon

    Yes, but we dont recommend it. Technically, if the grilling plank is still in good shape after the initial use it may be reused. Keep in mind that it will take on the flavor of whatever you grilled on it, and some of the essential oils from the wood will be used up from the first round of grilling.

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    Tools Needed For Cedar Plank Salmon:

    • Cedar Planks. Cedar planks are easy to find at every home improvement store and mega store. Anyplace that sells grilling stuff will have these. You’ll need 2 if you plan on making 4 filets. Some grilling experts swear by fancy and expensive ones. I find the cheap ones to make this recipe taste amazing and am perfectly happy with them.
    • Grill. I use a gas grill because that’s the only way I am able to control the heat. But if you are a charcoal master…go for it. You just want to be able to keep the heat fairly consistent.

    Why Use A Cedar Plank

    How to Grill Salmon on Cedar Planks | Williams Sonoma

    Cooking this way, using wood to flavor meat or vegetables, is something that is part of the cuisine of any number of cultures. It is a simple, healthy way to add a little more flavor. Putting the salmon directly on the plank allows natural oils and moisture from the plank to infuse the meat. The flavor that results is often described as smoky and savory.

    The specific use of a cedar plank to cook salmon comes from the Native American tribes of the American Northwest though it has become popular around the world. It is a technique that is used in both backyards and fancy restaurants

    Cedar plank cooking is usually associated with cooking over coals in your backyard, but it works just as well and ends up just as tasty when done in your oven. Cooked this way, it is easier to control, safer and often has more consistent results.

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    Cedar Plank Honey Lime Salmon

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    Smoky, woodsy flavors meet summery honey and lime in this melt-in-your-mouth salmon recipe! You are not going to be able to get enough of this irresistible Cedar Plank Honey Lime Salmon!

    There is nothing better than a tender, grilled cut of fish bursting with flavor. For all of my seafood lovers out there, you have got to try mahi mahi, salmon, and the best shrimp that will turn your dinner table into a Michelin coastal restaurant.

    Big Green Egg Cedar Plank Salmon

    We are salmon lovers, and since it is on the healthy list, I try to make it at least every other week. During our kitchen remodel, Mike and I ate it EVERY week, because the grill was one of our main cooking resources .

    I was first introduced to Cedar Grilling Planks while visiting my sister and fam in Colorado. They made the BEST cedar plank salmon for our large extended family during one of our many trips to visit them. Jackie and Craig really know how to entertain, and they prove that easy is usually best. THIS recipe is exactly thateasy.

    We also love grilling this on our Big Green Egg, as it provides amazing taste. We love to throw on a few smoked chips as well to give it a smoky flavor. Really nothing better! If you are shopping for a grill, I highly recommend the BGE!

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    Best Cedar Planks To Use For Grilling Salmon

    When it comes to picking the best cedar planks for grilling salmon, you dont have to be too choosy. While some people go all out buying cedar planks at a high-end culinary store, you can save money buying a quality untreated board at a lumber yard.

    The wood can be smooth or textured but you must be careful not to get one with a lot of knots. Grease can settle in knots making for an uneven cook.

    The planks should be at least ½ thick, especially if you are planning on reusing it.

    If you prefer to buy your cedar planks at a retail store instead of foraging for it on your own, here are some brands that are recommended:

    If you are foraging for your own wood, you will probably want to emulate these brands by choosing the red Western cedar variety. The Eastern variety is also a recommended favorite.

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