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

Cedar Planks: Make sure they’re untreated and meant for cooking. Soak them in water to prevent burning
Soy Sauce: Adds salty, umami flavor to the marinade
Vegetable Oil: Helps coat the salmon and keeps it juicy
Rice Vinegar: Adds a touch of acid to balance the flavors
Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way for deep, nutty flavor
Green Onions: Brings in freshness and color
Fresh Ginger: Gives the dish a warm, zesty kick
Garlic: Adds bold flavor to the marinade
Salmon Fillets: Skinless, fresh salmon is best for this method

Substitutions and Variations

Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium if you want less salt
Rice Vinegar: Swap with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
Ginger: Use ground ginger if you don’t have fresh
Salmon: You can also use steelhead trout or arctic char

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Instructions

Step 1: Soak the Planks

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.

Step 2: Make the Marinade

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.

Step 3: Marinate the Salmon

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.

Step 4: Preheat the Grill

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.

Step 5: Grill the Salmon

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.