How To Cook Cedar Plank Salmon
on Sep 15, 2022, Updated Mar 04, 2024
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How to cook cedar plank salmon! This cedar plank salmon recipe with lemon pepper dijon mustard to season is just beautiful and SO easy. Soak your cedar planks overnight (or a few hours before) and place on the grill or in the oven for those smoky flavors (and the most tender and filled with flavor salmon dish)! If you’re looking for another salmon recipe, be sure to check out our Easy Miso Glazed Salmon.
What does a cedar plank do?
A cedar plank is a grilling plank that gives dishes a smoky flavor. It pairs well with all kinds of ingredients like seafood, chicken and vegetables (and more!). They are readily available at most grocery stores, but I got my cedar planks here! I love the smoky finish it adds to ingredients and the steam from the plank also helps with the tenderness of the salmon, in this case, as well.
What ingredients do you need to cook cedar plank salmon?
Salmon fillets: I love salmon with this recipe! However, you can definitely opt to cook with other types of fish like halibut, cod or even ahi tuna.
Lemon juice and lemon zest: We are making a marinade of lemon juice and lemon zest, with dijon mustard. Super simple and you can definitely mix and match with all your favorite spices and flavors as well.
Salt and black pepper
Super simple ingredients, but this comes together with so much flavor and is SO good!
Instructions to make this cedar plank salmon recipe
First, soak and prep your cedar plank
Soak your cedar plank(s) in warm water overnight, or least 2-3 hours beforehand. This helps the plank not burn when it’s cooking. I will place the planks submerged in water usually on a baking sheet. I will add a cup or pot on top to weigh it down to make sure the planks are submerged.
Second, season your salmon and heat your grill or oven to 400 degrees!
Place your salmon skin-side down on the plank. Heat your grill (I’m using a gas grill!) but you can also cook this in the oven at 400 degrees on the cedar plank.
Season with salt, black pepper, olive oil and dijon mustard. Spread evenly to coat the salmon.
Third, grill salmon
On medium-high heat on the grill, cook your salmon until cooked on the inside. You can use a instant read thermometer to make sure it reaches 130-140 degrees (depending on your doneness preference)! In the oven, keep at 400 degrees until fully cooked.
Lastly, remove from the cedar plank and serve!
Transfer your salmon to a platter once it is not as hot to handle off the cedar plank to serve with any of your favorite roasted vegetables, salads or grains!
Tips, Tricks and Substitutions
Ingredients like fresh garlic, chili flakes, paprika, brown sugar, maple syrup or honey (for some sweetness) as well would work great.
Yes, I highly recommend to do so, even if it’s for 1 hour at least, to also overnight. This helps keep the wood from burning on the grill and oven, and it also helps keep the food super moist and tender while it cooks.
Nope! Place on skin side down and let it cook. You do not need to flip.
You can serve with salad, roasted vegetables (like mushrooms, green beans, asparagus), roasted potatoes, or even jammy tomatoes.
Some ideas to serve are can be our Little Gem Salad with Yogurt Ranch or Lemon Haricots Verts With Crispy Shallots and Crispy Grilled Potato Salad with Horseradish Sauce!
Looking for more salmon recipes?
- One Pan Seared Salmon with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
- Miso Salmon
- Spicy Roasted Salmon with Yogurt Sauce
If you do make this cedar plank salmon recipe (first of all, thank you!!), be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and through social media so I can be sure to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest to your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter here as well!
In addition, we can also be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Watch How To Make This Recipe
How To Cook Cedar Plank Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-2 cedar planks, soaked for 2 hours-overnight
- 1 pound salmon, either as a big filet, or cut into two filets
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 lemon zest, save the lemon to juice after cooking
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- First, soak and prep your cedar plank. Soak your cedar plank(s) in warm water overnight, or least 2-3 hours beforehand. This helps the plank not burn when it's cooking. I will place the planks submerged in water usually on a baking sheet. I will add a cup or pot on top to weigh it down to make sure the planks are submerged.
- Second, season your salmon and heat your grill or oven to 400 degrees!
- Place your salmon skin-side down on the plank. Heat your grill (I’m using a gas grill!) but you can also cook this in the oven at 400 degrees on the cedar plank.
- Season with salt, black pepper, olive oil and dijon mustard. Spread evenly to coat the salmon.
- Third, grill salmon. On medium-high heat on the grill, cook your salmon until cooked on the inside. You can use a thermometer to make sure it reaches 130-140 degrees (depending on your doneness preference)! In the oven, keep at 400 degrees until fully cooked.
- Lastly, remove from the cedar plank and serve! Transfer your salmon to a platter once it is not as hot to handle off the cedar plank to serve with any of your favorite roasted vegetables, salads or grains!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
