Cedar-Plank Salmon

cedar-planked salmon

Here is a recipe that certainly will work outdoors on a grill but also worked quite well in the oven. I found these little 6 X 6 inch or so cedar grilling planks at Sur la Table for $10 and impulse-bought them. Then I on-purpose bought some salmon.

I soaked my plank for about an hour and a half. If it was going on a charcoal grill the fish *, I would have soaked it for at least two hours. I let the plank heat up in the oven for about 5 minutes, before placing the salmon on it. I don’t actually know how much flavor the cedar imparted on the salmon, but wow, did it smell good while in the oven. These planks were officially, single serving size but I found I could easily fit the two pieces of salmon on it.

Also, since my plank was not too charred, I rinsed it off with hot water (no soap) and plan on using it again.

Oh and I can not stress enough how good the maple-mustard-rosemary crust on the salmon was…really, I can’t. I just can’t at all. Nope, not even going to try. And, if you didn’t have a cedar plank, I would still recommended making this recipe just on a baking sheet.

Cedar-Plank Salmon
Adapted from Gourmet Magazine, via Deerholme Farm, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
1 tbsp grainy mustard
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp minced rosemary
1/2 tbsp grated lemon zest
3/4 lb salmon fillet, cut into two pieces
Special Equipment: a cedar grilling plank

cedar-planked salmon

Soak cedar grilling plank in water to cover 1-2 hours, keeping it immersed.

cedar-planked salmon

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir together mustard, honey, rosemary, zest.

cedar-planked salmon

Salt and pepper fish first and then spread mixture on flesh side of salmon and let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.

cedar-planked salmon

Set plank in the oven for about 5 minutes. Remove and put salmon on plank, skin side down (if salmon is too wide for plank, fold in thinner side to fit). I put my plank on a baking sheet to avoid any oven messes.

cedar-planked salmon

Cook until salmon is just almost cooked through, 12 – 14 minutes. Turn on the broiler and let the top get a little golden and form a crust, about 1-2 minutes. Let salmon stand on plank 5 minutes before serving.

cedar-planked salmon

We had the salmon with some oven roasted sweet potatoes and green beans.

Awesome quick green beans – trim, rinse and saute for a couple of minutes in some olive oil. Salt and pepper lightly and add about a couple of tablespoons chicken broth. Lower heat, cover and cook about 15 minutes. Remove lid, turn up heat and let broth evaporate. So good!

* To cook the salmon on a grill: Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas). Open vents on bottom and lid of charcoal grill.
Grill, covered with lid, 13-15 minutes.

7 Replies to “Cedar-Plank Salmon”

  1. This looks SOOOO good! I will definitely try it. I can’t believe how many of your recipes I’ve used! Thank you! Edie

  2. Edie: Thanks so much! I hope you do try this one, it was so good. And jwa and I really loved the green beans too 🙂

  3. I’ve only had cedar plank salmon in restaurants – but reading your post made me want to try it at home. I’ve seen these planks for sale, but resisted bringing them home
    I often pair salmon with green beans too! Love the colors together… 🙂

  4. I have a cedar plank that my mom gave me that I’ve been meaning to use for too long. Thanks for the push with this post. That salmon looks fantastic. I’m chomping for dinner now!

  5. SallyBR: Hope you give it a try! Yeah, I think the salmon/green bean combo is a new favorite!
    Liz: Thanks! The crust on top was amazing and the cedar smelled wonderful. Plus, if you use the plank in your oven, you can most likely get more than one use out of it. I washed mine off w/ hot water and it’s ready to go again! 🙂

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