Description
Have you ever wanted to cook salmon that’s smoky, juicy, and full of amazing flavor without needing a smoker or fancy oven? That’s exactly what you’ll get with this Cedar Planked Salmon! Grilling salmon on a cedar plank gives it a soft texture and a smoky flavor that you can’t get any other way. It’s super easy, smells amazing, and looks so impressive when you serve it.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this flavorful Cedar Planked Salmon
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Cedar Planks: Make sure they’re untreated and meant for cooking. Soak them in water to prevent burning
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Soy Sauce: Adds salty, umami flavor to the marinade
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Vegetable Oil: Helps coat the salmon and keeps it juicy
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Rice Vinegar: Adds a touch of acid to balance the flavors
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Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way for deep, nutty flavor
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Green Onions: Brings in freshness and color
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Fresh Ginger: Gives the dish a warm, zesty kick
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Garlic: Adds bold flavor to the marinade
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Salmon Fillets: Skinless, fresh salmon is best for this method
Substitutions and Variations
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Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium if you want less salt
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Rice Vinegar: Swap with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
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Ginger: Use ground ginger if you don’t have fresh
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Salmon: You can also use steelhead trout or arctic char
Instructions
Place the cedar planks in warm water. Let them soak for at least 1 hour. You can soak them longer if you have time. This helps prevent them from catching fire on the grill.
In a shallow dish, mix together ⅓ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1½ tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, ¼ cup chopped green onions, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic.
Place the salmon fillets in the marinade and turn them so all sides are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour for more flavor.
Set your outdoor grill to medium heat. Place the soaked cedar planks directly on the grill grates and close the lid. Wait until the planks start to smoke and crackle just a little.
Remove the salmon from the marinade and place it on the hot cedar planks. Discard any leftover marinade. Close the grill lid and cook the salmon for about 20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.