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Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

How to Make Seasoned Cedar Planked Salmon

Published: Apr 5, 2021 · Modified: Jun 23, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

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Make your grilling event memorable and cook up deliciousness with my Cedar Planked Salmon! I used one of my favorite seasonings to give the salmon that perfect blend of Jamaican flavors. Not a fan of Jamaican seasonings? Use your favorite spices to create this delicious dish in your home tonight!

close up of cooked seasoned salmon on a white platter


 
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • What ingredients do I need to make Seasoned Cedar Planked Salmon?
  • Do I have to use Jamaican Seasonings to make Cedar Planked Salmon?
  • How do I make Cedar Planked Salmon?
  • How does a Cedar plank help flavor the salmon?
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Cedar Planked Salmon

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Whether you make this salmon for a date night, entertaining or just to treat the family to a special dinner,  you’ll be amazed at the results and just how easy it is to make planked salmon!

What ingredients do I need to make Seasoned Cedar Planked Salmon?

overhead view of ingredients to make cedar planked salmon

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Cedar Planked Salmon. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Do I have to use Jamaican Seasonings to make Cedar Planked Salmon?

No, you don’t. You can use any of your favorite seasonings or combinations of seasonings and fresh herbs.

How do I make Cedar Planked Salmon?

3 pieces of seasoned uncooked salmon on a cedar plank

The first and most important thing to know before you start making cedar planked salmon is that you have to soak the cedar plank in water for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-3.

This will ensure that the plank doesn’t catch on fire. While this is not as critical if you’re making this dish in the oven, it’s still something you need to do to create the right cooking atmosphere.

How does a Cedar plank help flavor the salmon?

When the soaked planked is placed on the hot grill or in the oven it releases the moisture along with the aromatic oils that are picked up from the wood during the soaking process. This cedar-infused steam helps cook and flavor the fish while adding moisture into the fish. This gives you an incredibly moist and tender piece of salmon.

If you’re cooking the planked salmon on the grill, it also adds smoke. The spicy and fragrant cedar smoke helps cure the outside of the fish and locks in the moisture. Giving you a perfectly cooked flavorful piece of salmon.

three pieces of seasoned salmon on a cedar plank on a gas grill

Another tip is to use as much of the plank as you can, without overcrowding it. Most planks are 5 x 11 inches. You can find these cedar planks and also larger pieces for grilling whole sides of salmon on Amazon.

cooked seasoned salmon on a cedar plank on a white platter

The end result will be as close to perfection as you can get. It’s so easy to do, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion or be afraid of making 20 or 30 pieces for your next get together.

three seasoned and cooked salmon fillets on a white plate sitting on a cutting board

You don’t even have to skin the salmon before cooking. The skin will peel right off when you take it off of the cedar plank, leaving you with a perfectly cooked beautiful piece of salmon.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Irish Whiskey Salmon
  • Blackened Salmon Sliders
  • Marinated Grilled Salmon
  • Coulibiac of Salmon

three seasoned and cooked salmon fillets on a white plate sitting on a cutting board

Cedar Planked Salmon

Chef Dennis Littley
When it comes to creating deliciousness for your next dinner party or date night dinner, cedar planked salmon is the perfect choice.   The smoky-spicy flavor from the cedar plank will make your dinner a delicious event!
4.95 from 19 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 1 hour hr
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 3
Calories 297 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 18 ounces salmon 3 fillets. I used coho
  • 2 tablespoons Gustus Vitae Jamaican seasoning or your favorite spice blend
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cedar plank

Instructions
 

  • Soak the cedar plank (completely submerged) for at least one hour.  2-3 hours is preferred. 
  • brush salmon fillets with olive oil and sprinkle with Jamaican seasoning mix.
  • place salmon on plank and set plank in a preheated grill (450 degrees) and close the lid.  Cook the salmon for 15-18 minutes to the desired doneness.
  • remove salmon fillets from the cedar plank.  The skin should peel off easily.
    Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
  • Discard the cedar plank after it has completely cooled.

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 34gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 162mgPotassium: 937mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 1650IUCalcium: 38mgIron: 2.3mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!
Pinterest image for cedar planked salmon

Comments

    4.95 from 19 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Loreto and Nicoletta says

    April 11, 2021 at 11:30 pm

    5 stars
    We love salmon and doing it on the grill on a cedar plank us always amazing! You are so right that it just keeps that salmon so moist.so happy you used the Jamaican spices. Love Jamaican food. Great job on this dish!

    Reply
  2. kushigalu says

    April 11, 2021 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    What a great recipe to try with salmon. Totally in love with flavor you have given to this dish. My family will love this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    April 11, 2021 at 5:42 am

    5 stars
    I haven’t used a cedar plank for salmon before but now I see why I’d want to – I finally get that the soaked cedar keeps the salmon from drying out. And I see you have a grilled planked salmon dip recipe too – oh, man.

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    April 09, 2021 at 2:00 am

    I was a bit unsure about using wood in the grill. I know, the cedar is soaked but I was sceptical at the beginning. Turns out I was wrong. The flavors were incredible.

    Reply
  5. Sangita says

    April 06, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    5 stars
    My boys will definitely try it out. Easy and simple recipe.

    Reply
  6. Leslie says

    April 06, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    5 stars
    Amazingly easy recipe! So good!

    Reply
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My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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