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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

    92 shares
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    4.95 from 19 votes
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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

    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!

    Table of Contents:

    • 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!
    • Cedar Planked Salmon
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition

    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.

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    three seasoned and cooked salmon fillets on a white plate sitting on a cutting board
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    4.95 from 19 votes

    Cedar Planked Salmon

    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!
    Prep Time1 hour hr
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 297kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    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
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 937mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 1650IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. kushigalu

      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
    2. Beth

      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
    3. Kate

      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
    4. Sangita

      April 06, 2021 at 1:43 pm

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

      Reply
    5. Leslie

      April 06, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Amazingly easy recipe! So good!

      Reply
    6. Newbie In The Kitchen

      April 06, 2021 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! What a great way to cook salmon and I can imagine the flavor of the wood really comes through during cooking. I can smell the lovely aroma now!

      Reply
    7. FOODHEAL

      April 06, 2021 at 5:22 am

      5 stars
      Salmon has always my fish to go to. I love your spiced version and I’d not even remove the skin. I love eating the skin when it’s cruchy.

      Reply
    8. Emily Flint

      April 05, 2021 at 11:05 pm

      5 stars
      I love all of your seafood recipes and this one is amazing too!

      Reply
    9. Debra

      April 05, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious and so easy too!

      Reply
    10. Jill

      April 05, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      I love salmon and this cedar plank recipe is perfect for the summer!

      Reply
      • Amy Liu Dong

        April 13, 2021 at 1:43 am

        5 stars
        I love this recipe it looks delicious and easy to make. Thanks Chef, for sharing the procedure.

        Reply
    11. Bernice Hill

      April 05, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      My mouth is watering as I’m reading your post. I love cedar planked salmon, yet I’ve never tried it. Your post has inspired me!!

      Reply
    12. Jamie

      April 05, 2021 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      Making this over the weekend! Looks incredible!

      Reply
    13. Audrey

      April 05, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect for summer!

      Reply
    14. Sabrina

      April 05, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love the seasoning on this salmon! Really tasty, thanks!

      Reply
    15. Sue

      April 05, 2021 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      I have salmon frequently, but you have inspired me to try int using a cedar plank. Looks amazing!

      Reply
    16. Raquel

      April 05, 2021 at 11:22 am

      5 stars
      A lovely dinner idea – adding to our menu rotation!

      Reply
    17. Gloria

      April 05, 2021 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      I just noticed I have some cedar planks in the basement. Just in time for grill season. Passing this along to hubby…he is the bbq person here.

      Reply
    18. Larry

      January 06, 2018 at 8:10 am

      Looks delicious Chef and I have some nice salmon in the freezer to use.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 06, 2018 at 9:56 am

        Thanks Larry, I was surprised how much the cedar planks helped the salmon. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    19. Kumar

      January 06, 2018 at 2:30 am

      Hi, I am fan of urs food n i would like to know that do u buy chilly powder?? So please reply me ASAP.
      Thanks
      Patil kumar
      India

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 06, 2018 at 9:49 am

        Yes I do use Chili Powder from time to time.

        Reply
    20. Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club

      January 05, 2018 at 7:14 pm

      That looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 05, 2018 at 10:15 pm

        Thank you! It really was delicious

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. 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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