5 Easy Steps to Master Cedar Planked Salmon
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Whether you're hosting a dinner party or cooking a quick weeknight meal, cedar planked salmon is a delicious and impressive way to prepare this healthy fish. With just a few simple steps, you can become a pro at creating tender, flavorful salmon on a fragrant cedar plank.
Step 1: Soak the Plank
It's one of the most common questions we get - do you really need to soak the cedar plank before cooking? The answer is a resounding yes! Soaking the plank helps create extra moisture, allowing the wood to gently smoke and impart its signature flavor, while also reducing the risk of the plank catching fire on the grill.
Step 2: Prep the Salmon
Season your salmon however you like - one of our most popular recipes is for Slow Roasted Salmon. The blend of mustard, black pepper, and fines herbs. The mustard provides a bold, pungent flavor that cuts through the richness of the salmon, the black pepper adds warmth and spice, and the fresh herbs brighten the dish with their fragrant, herbaceous notes. The rescipe creates a multi-dimensional flavor profile that enhances the natural taste of the cedar planked salmon.
Step 3: Place Salmon on Plank & Grill or Bake
When placing the salmon on the soaked cedar plank, make sure to cover as much of the surface area as possible, including the edges and corners. This will help prevent any flare-ups on the grill. Then, simply place the plank with the salmon directly on your preheated grill or smoker. Cedar planks work great on both gas and charcoal grills.
Alternatively, you can also bake the cedar planked salmon in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F, then place the salmon-topped plank directly on the oven rack and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. The cedar plank acts as a natural smoker, allowing the wood to release its aromatic oils and compounds as the salmon cooks slowly at a lower temperature.
Step 4: Cook to Perfection
Cook the salmon on the plank until it reaches your desired doneness, typically around 145°F when measured with a meat thermometer. Keep a spray bottle of water nearby in case of any flare-ups on the grill.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Serve the cedar planked salmon directly on the plank for a beautiful, rustic presentation. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs. Just be sure to place the hot plank on a heat-resistant surface, as it will remain warm even after being removed from the grill or oven. Get ready to wow your family and friends with this impressive and delicious salmon dish!
Great Sides for Salmon
