10 of the Best Cedar Plank Salmon Recipes

There are few things that are quite as tasty as well-cooked salmon. If you love to eat salmon, but are looking for some different ways to prepare it to add variety into your diet, cedar planks are a great way to enhance the flavor of your fish.

Why should I use cedar planks?

Cedar planks can be used to prepare a number of grilled or baked dishes. They are especially good for salmon, which can start to fall apart if not placed onto the right kind of cooking tray. Cedar planks not only hold your fish up and keep the filet intact, but they also release a great flavor into the fish while it cooks, which gives it a leg up on other cooking methods.

Here are 10 great cedar plank salmon recipes that we’ve brought together just for you:

Classic Cedar Plank Salmon

If you’re looking for a quick salmon recipe, this one is a great option. It only takes about 15 minutes to prepare, 20 to cook, and you’re ready to eat within about half an hour from your start time, which is great for busy families!

You’ll need:

• 1 cedar plank
• One-third cup of vegetable oil
• 5 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• About a third of a cup of soy sauce
• A dash of sesame oil
• Vegetables of your choice (green onions, ginger, and minced garlic work great)
• Two salmon filets that have the skin removed

How to Prepare:

Before you start, you’ll want to soak your planks for about an hour. It works best with warm water. Mix your sauces and vegetables in a dish as a marinade for the fish and place the fish into the mixture for at least 15 minutes. Prepare your outdoor grill at a medium heat and set the planks out on top of the grill. When you hear a little bit of crackling, the planks are ready to go! Remove the fish from your sauce and grill them on the planks for about 20 minutes. Keep in mind that the fish will continue to cook a little bit longer after you have taken it off the grill.

This recipe goes well with steamed rice!

Brown Sugar-Mustard Cedar Plank Salmon

If you like things sweet and spicy, this is a great choice. It takes about 15 minutes of prep work, 2 hours of in-between prep time, and about 30 minutes of cooking time. This recipe has a yield of about 4 servings and is very simple to make.

You’ll need:

• Your handy-dandy cedar plank
• 2 filets of salmon
• Seasonings to taste (salt and pepper are great)
• Dijon mustard to taste
• Brown sugar to taste

How to Prepare:

Soak your cedar planks for about 2 hours in warm, salted water. Remove skin and any bones that are left in your fish. Rinse and pat your filets dry. Season your fillets on both sides, and then lay them out on the cedar plank, adding mustard over the sides and top of your filets and crumbling some brown sugar over the top.

Prep your grill by setting it at a medium-high temperature, and put your plank in the middle of the grill and cook the fish for 20-30 minutes.

Sweet and Zesty Cedar Plank Salmon

If you like tangy and sweet recipes, this is a great way to use one with your salmon! This recipe will serve about six people, takes about 30 minutes of prep and cooking and about 2 hours of inactive cooking time.

You’ll need:

• Brown mustard
• Honey or maple syrup
• A little bit of rosemary minced ahead of time
• Some lemon zest
• A large salmon filet
• A grilling plank

How to Prepare:

Soak your planks for about 2 hours and pre-heat your grill to a medium-high heat. In a bowl, mix up a few tablespoons of mustard and honey, a pinch of rosemary and zest, and some salt and pepper to taste. Spread it out over your filets and let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Grill it with your lid down for about 15 minutes and let it stand for another five before you serve it.

Simple Cedar Plank Salmon

If you want a cedar plank salmon recipe that will please everyone, this is a great, simple option! It’ll take about 30 minutes of prep and about 20 minutes to cook.

You’ll need:

• A cedar plank
• A decent-sized salmon filet
• Some salmon rub
• Lemon slices
• A little bit of green onion
• Pre-chopped to use as a garnish

How to Prepare:

Make sure to soak your cedar plank for a minimum of half an hour. Coat your fish with the rub and chill it while you preheat your grill. Grill it directly on the grill for about 3 minutes to add in grill marks, then complete another 20 minutes of cooking time on the grill with the fish on the plank. Add your lemon slices when you put the filet on the plank. When finished, add some chopped green onion as a garnish.

Apricot Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon

If you’re looking for a more gourmet version of the cedar plank salmon, this recipe will knock your socks off!

You’ll need:

• A cedar plank
• A large salmon filet with the skin on
• A few jalapeños
• 2 cloves of garlic
• About a cup of your favorite preserves (we recommend apricot)
• 2 tablespoons of brown mustard
• Lime juice to taste
• Half a cup of white wine
• A dash of soy sauce
• A dash of thyme
• Seasoning to taste (we recommend salt and pepper)
• Some olive oil

How to Prepare:

Soak your plank for a minimum of 2 hours in warm, salted water. If you’re having a hard time keeping it under the water, put a large container of water on top of it in the sink. Finely dice your jalapeño and finely grate your garlic. Heat up a few teaspoons of oil and add in jalapenos to a sauté pan to preheat them and release the spice. Add in the garlic for just a short time and add in your wine. Stir in your preserves, lime juice, and soy sauce. Next, add in a little bit of mustard and some thyme, stirring regularly to mix the ingredients well. Bring your pan to a boil, and then turn down the heat to low and let it simmer for roughly 20 minutes.

Next, dry off your cedar plank, prep it with a little bit of oil, add your cedar plank and season it, glaze it with your sauce, and add your plank to the grill for about 15 or 20 minutes, finishing off with a resting time of about 5 minutes after you remove it from the grill.

Asian-Inspired Cedar Plank Salmon

This sweetly-glazed recipe is a wonderful blend of fish and a sweet sauce. It is great for experienced grillmasters!

You’ll need:

• A cedar plank,
• 1 large salmon filet,
• 1/2 cup of hoisin sauce,
• 1/3 cup of cherry sauce,
• Salt and pepper to taste,
• Canola oil

How to Prepare:

Pre-soak your planks in warm water for about 2 hours. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat. While you wait for it to heat, cut your salmon in half. Season both sides of the filet with a salt and pepper mix and coat it lightly with oil. Place the filet on the plank and begin to grill it until you start to see a slight white edge along the thickest part of the filet, then add a liberal amount of your hoisin and cherry sauce mixed together and continue to cook the filet for an additional five minutes. Once they are removed from the grill, let them rest for five minutes and drizzle a little more glaze over the top, if desired.

Spicy Butter Cedar Plank Salmon

For those with spicier tastes, this is a great recipe!

You’ll need:

• Your cedar plank
• One filet of salmon
• Seasoning to taste (salt and pepper recommended)
• A butter mix comprised of 2 tablespoons of butter
• Cayenne to taste
• Lime juice
• 1 garlic clove minced

How to Prepare:

 

Pre-soak your planks for about two hours and preheat your grill to medium-high. In a bowl, melt your butter and add in some lime juice, garlic, and cayenne pepper to taste. Season your filets with salt and pepper, then add them to your plank and grill for about fifteen minutes with the lid down. As you let it rest for five minutes after grilling, brush on your butter mix and allow it to melt down over the salmon.

Horseradish Cedar Plank Salmon

This recipe makes enough for about four people. For people who like zesty, sharp flavors, this is a great option.

You’ll need:

• 1 salmon filet
• 1 cedar plank
• Some lemon zest
• A little bit of chopped fresh thyme
• Half a teaspoon of granulated sugar
• Some salt and pepper
• A little bit of olive oil

Additionally, for your sauce, you’ll need about half a cup of sour cream, some minced chives, about a tablespoon of horseradish and some salt and pepper.

How to Prepare:

Pre-soak your planks for a minimum of an hour. While you soak it, take out a mixing bowl and add in lemon zest, thyme, sugar, and seasoning, mixing it with a spoon or fork. Place your filet on the cedar plank and brush it gently with olive oil. Add your lemon mix to the top of the salmon. Next, preheat your grill to high. Once it is fully heated, turn off every burner but one and add your cedar plank. Grill your filet for about 20 minutes, then add your sauce. For your sauce, mix sauce ingredients together and refrigerate it until you are ready to go.

Sweet Dill Cedar Plank Salmon

This recipe can serve up to six people and is great for people with a refined palate!

You’ll need:

• 2 salmon filets with skin still on
• About a half cup of salt
• Two-thirds of a cup of brown sugar
• Cold water
• Whole peppercorns
• 3 whole cloves
• Some juniper berries
• 1 bunch of dill

How to Prepare:

Stir the above ingredients together with 4 cups of cold water. Stir them together until all dry ingredients are dissolved. Pour the mixture into a large Ziploc bag and add in your salmon pieces. Refrigerate for about 12 hours, then remove the filets and pat them dry. Add them to your pre-soaked plank and grill for about 20 minutes at a medium-high heat.

Lemon Dill Butter Cedar Plank Salmon

Last, but not least, the seasoned cedar plank salmon is a simple, tasty way to prepare fish! It takes about 15 minutes of cooking time.

You’ll need:

• Four salmon filets
• Salt and pepper
• About 2 tablespoons each of dill
• Parsley
• Black pepper
• Salt
• About 3 tablespoons of lemon juice

How to Prepare:

Pre-soak your planks in water for several hours. Preheat your grill. While waiting, use a bowl to mix your dill, parsley, oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Preheat the planks for about 2 minutes on the grill. Add the filets to the cedar planks for about 15 minutes then move the salmon to a plate and cover it with your herb mix.

Cedar plank salmon is a great, healthy meal for your whole family. With simple ingredients and a large number of ways that you can prepare it, it is a great way to keep your family well-fed and satisfied!