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If there was ever a way to cook salmon, it’s on a cedar plank.
No seriously, if you’ve never tried cooking your salmon this way, now is so the time. Cedar planks adds immense flavor that you just cannot get from anything else AND it makes life so super easy, since clean up is basically non-existent. With Memorial Day (the unofficial, but official, start of summer) being just one week from today, I thought this would be a fun recipe to share.
Also, have you guys noticed that the June issues of all the foodie magazines are all about grilling, drinks, light salads and ice cream?!? They’re basically full of summer foods, and I am so pumped and SO ready. Gimme all the ice cream please!! 🙂
Clearly after spending the beginning of last week in LA and getting a taste of summer, I am hooked. Are you guys ready? Has the weather turned nice yet where you are, or are there still spring showers and all that? I’m scared to say, it’s actually starting to get nice here.
I’m headed to New York City for the fastest trip ever on Wednesday and I’m crossing my fingers it’s going to be nice and sunny and summer like. Something about New York in the summer has me kind of excited. And I cannot believe I am admitting this, but it also has me picturing Gossip Girl and all the summer episodes. Think uptown New York heat and classy Hampton living…
OKok, so it’s a crazy week and I have to keep today’s post pretty on topic, so let’s talk Cedar Plank Salmon.
I think it’s clear I love this recipe, but I love it for many reasons.
…reason one: definitely the cedar plank. I feel like if you put any piece of fish on a cedar plank with maybe just a little salt + pepper + olive oil, it’s going to be flipping good. Simple is sometimes just the best.
…reason two: soaking the cedar plank in orange juice before grilling. Using orange juice instead of water is maybe the bestest idea. it adds the slightest touch of citrus flavor and I loved that. If you can remember, try to soak the cedar plank overnight, but if you’re in a pinch, thirty minutes will do. Also, if you don’t have orange juice and don’t want to buy any either, you can just use water or white wine. Not a HUGE deal…but like I said, I loved the added citrus flavor.
…reason three: the blackened seasoning I rubbed all over the salmon before throwing it on the grill. YUM.
…reason four: that watermelon, mango and feta salsa. Yes, yes and yes, so my kind of thing. LOVE.
…reason four: the cleanup because really there is none. Cannot complain about that. 🙂
See, so many, many, many reasons to love this recipe, right?!?
For real though, the no dish thing?
Hallelujah!!
If you’re new to cooking with a cedar plank, don’t be scared or intimidated, promise it’s EASY. You can buy planks at the grocery or on Amazon. Me being the Amazon girl that I am, just ordered mine on Amazon…honestly, I may be Amazon Prime’s bestest customer…yikes.
Once you have your plank, you need to soak it in some form of a liquid to prevent the board from catching fire on the grill… don’t worry, don’t worry, not as scary as it sounds! Once you’ve soaked your plank, just add a skinless piece of fish, season it and grill. SIMPLE. Once again, NO DISHES.
Obviously I really really love the no dish part.
For my seasoning, I went with my favorite blackened seasoning. You just cannot got wrong with this blend of spices, it’s the best and pairs with pretty much anything. Me being me, I just could not stop there though. You just know I had to add something summery and fruity to this meal. Enter that watermelon salsa…aka my favorite thing to eat with a spoon because I am addicted to fruit…especially mango and especially, especially the combo of watermelon, mango and FETA. Yup, feta.
I mean, really? Are you surprised? You knew I had to sneak in some cheese too.
Duh.
That combo together is SPOT ON.
Cedar Plank Salmon with Watermelon Feta Salsa.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 517 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 large cedar plank
- orange juice or water for soaking
- 1 pounds whole salmon fillet about 2 , skin removed
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne more or less adjust to your taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
- olive oil for rubbing
Watermelon Feta Salsa
- 1/2 cups of a small seedless watermelon diced (about 2 )
- 1 cup fresh diced mango or pineapple
- 1 jalapeno seeded if desired + chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- juice of 2 limes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Soak the cedar plank in orange juice (or water) for at least 30 minutes before grilling, but 2-4 hours is ideal.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt and pepper.
- Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, about 350 degrees F.
- Lay the whole salmon fillet on top of the cedar plank, making sure none of the salmon is hanging off. Sprinkle with the salmon with the seasonings and then rub the entire fillet with olive oil. Place the cedar plank on the grill and cover the grill. Grill for about 12-15 minutes and check for doneness. The salmon is done when it's uniformly pink in the center. Using a large spatula, remove the cedar plank + salmon and transfer to a flat surface to rest. Serve the salmon with the watermelon salsa. Enjoy!
Watermelon Feta Salsa
- Combine all of the ingredients, except the feta, in a bowl and gently toss to combine. Now add the feta and toss once more. Serve over the salmon. Salsa will keep for 1 day in the fridge, but is best served soon after making.
Hehe. I am just slightly obsessed. 🙂
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This was delicious and came together so easily. Thanks Tieghan for another great recipe. The rub was just the right mix of sweet and heat and the cooking directions were perfect!
Thank you sooo much for giving the recipe a try! I am so glad you enjoyed it! xT
This recipe is absolutely by a country mile the best way i’ve ever tasted salmon. The salsa should only be eaten fresh as mentioned is my only point; ) Tjanks for the awesome recipe. Everyone loves it!
Thanks Brad! SO happy you liked the salmon!!
Can I leave skin on the salmon?
The pieces I bought have skin on
I don’t eat paprika. Any other seasoning you’d recommend? Or just leave it out?
Thanks!
Hey Natalie, Yes you can leave the skin on. Just omit the paprika. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love the salmon thanks!
Hi! I am in England and just stumbled across your website as you do. I have never heard of cooking on cedar before but sounds interesting. I have a couple of probably very stupid questions! 1. When you say ‘grill’ do you mean a barbeque? So it is actually on the grill above the hot coals (gas fired in our case)? 2. Because you have soaked it, it gets hot enough to cook the salmon but the wood itself does not burn? 3. When you say cover it, do you mean with aluminium foil? 4. I don’t have a cedar board although I am sure I could get one but I have some boards made from olive tree wood. Do you think they would work?
Hey Liz! Ok to answer your questions, yes, grill means barbeque. Yup, soaking the plank allows it to no burn. It will char but should not catch fire. You can use aluminiumn foil to cover the fish if your barbeque does not have a top to it. I am not sure if an olive tree board would work. I have never tried that. Let me know if you have any other questions, hope you love the fish!
YUM! Just bout some cedar planks last night for this! I can’t wait to try it.
I hope you love it!! Let me know ASAP!! (:
I love that refreshing watermelon salsa with the cedar plank salmon. Perfect summer meal!
Agreed! This is so fun for the summer, I am sure it will be a hit with my friends and family!
This probably sounds really stupid given that a good portion of your post is about grilling, but…….could you bake this?
Hey Tara!! Yes, you can bake the whole plank in the oven on a baking sheet at 425 for 10-12 minutes. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!!
It. Was. DELICIOUS!!! I took it off the plank and left it on a baking sheet and then broiled it for a couple minutes at the end. Perfect crisp! And my 2 year old daughter was literally dancing between bites…..that’s what I call a winner!
YES! Thats so awesome! I’m so happy it worked well for you! Thanks so much!
I can’t wait to try this! Three of my favorites; salmon, watermelon and feta cheese . Perfect for a Sunday evening with a glass of Rose’.
Thank you:) In case needed, a plank can be purchased at Whole Foods or Central Market.
Thats good to know! Lots of people have been asking! SO happy you like it Susan!! Thanks for commenting (:
I’ve only tried cedar plank salmon at restaurants, and let me tell you, it is PERFECTION. I have yet to get one myself so I can recreate their recipes!
You gotta try!! Its so tasty doing it yourself! And fun of course!
What would your serve as a side with this?
HI! I woulds serve this with rice, bread, bear bread, polenta, roasted potatoes, pasta salad, mac and cheese, veggie salad, the options area really endless as this recipes pairs great with a lot of flavors. Let me know if you have more questions and I hope you love the salmon! Thanks!