Cedar-Plank Salmon
What took me so long? Cedar-Plank Salmon has been on my radar for years. As a matter of fact, I’ve had a shrink-wrapped six-pack of planks sitting in a kitchen drawer for so long I can’t remember where they came from. Amazon? Santa? This method of cooking on the grill is so straight forward, so easy, with absolutely zero clean-up that I can’t imagine cooking my salmon any other way at any time of year.
So, go ahead and pick up some planks. Soak one for about 2-hours before you’re ready to eat, and plop that salmon filet right on top. Brush with whatever marinade or dry rub that you’re favoring (I happen to really like this recipe for Cedar-Plank Salmon because the fish gets all caramelized) and throw that bad boy on the grill. Close the lid and in about 15 minutes you’ll be ready to transfer plank to table. When dinner is done, toss the plank and start plotting your next Cedar-Plank meal (I waited a whole two days). Enjoy!
NOTE: The cedar flavor imparted by this cooking method is not what initially sold me. To be honest, that flavor is subtle and I have to really focus to pick up nuances. But I have heard that different woods impart a different smokiness and I am more than willing to try all the varieties because with or without the wood-flavoring, the resulting salmon is nicely charred, extremely moist and flakey.
Cedar-Plank Salmon
- 2 Tbls grainy mustard
- 2 Tbls mild honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp minced rosemary
- 1 Tbls grated lemon zest
- 1 (2-pounds) salmon fillet with skin (1 1/2 inches thick)
- Equipment: a cedar grilling plank (about 15 by 6 inches)
- Soak cedar grilling plank in water to cover 2 hours, keeping it immersed.
- Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas).
- Stir together mustard, honey, rosemary, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
- Spread mixture on flesh side of salmon and let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
- Put salmon on plank, skin side down (if salmon is too wide or too long for plank, fold in thinner side under to fit).
- Grill, covered with lid, until salmon is just cooked through and edges are browned, 13 to 15 minutes.
- Let salmon stand on plank 5 minutes before serving.
- The plank must be thoroughly soaked, a minimum of two hours, before grilling to prevent wood from catching fire.