Quick Cedar-Planked Salmon
A delicious and easy way to prepare salmon, using a cedar plank for a smoky flavor, perfect for impressive and quick dinners.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus soaking time)
- Servings: 4
Full Ingredient List
- 1 or 2 cedar planks
- 4 salmon fillets, about 4oz each
- 1/3 cup dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Cedar-Planked Salmon
Tools and Equipment
- grill
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 | cedar plank | soak in water for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours beforehand | |
| 4, about 4oz each | salmon fillet | remove from fridge 30 minutes before grilling | |
| 1/3 cup | dijon mustard | ||
| 1/2 cup | light brown sugar | ||
| 1 | lemon | thinly sliced | |
| to taste | Salt | ||
| to taste | Freshly ground black pepper |
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak cedar planks in water for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours, prior to grilling. Remove salmon from fridge 30 minutes before grilling. (Tips: This step can be done the night before or morning of.)
- Step 2: Make the glaze by stirring together the brown sugar and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season salmon with salt and pepper. (Tips: Mixing the glaze thoroughly ensures even flavor distribution.)
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, set the grill for indirect grilling to prevent the cedar planks from catching fire. (Tips: For indirect grilling, turn one burner off on a two-burner grill, or the middle burner(s) off on a three or four-burner grill.)
- Step 4: Place the pre-soaked cedar planks on the hot grate over indirect heat, and close the lid. Leave the plank until there is a smoky smell, about 4-5 minutes. (Tips: Ensure the planks start to smoke before placing the salmon on them.)
- Step 5: Rotate planks and place salmon skin-side down on top. Spread a spoonful of mustard mixture on top of each filet and add a thin slice of lemon if desired. Close grill lid. (Tips: The lemon adds a fresh citrus note to the dish.)
- Step 6: Cook salmon on the cedar planks for about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on thickness, or until cooked through (125-140 degrees F for medium rare to medium well). (Tips: Remove and cover with foil about 5 degrees shy of desired temperature, as it will continue to cook as it rests.)
Additional Information
Notes: Cedar planks are typically available at grocery stores or online. Do not reuse planks as they become charred and absorb food flavors.