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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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Beautiful color on the fish and love the pairing with the fresh watermelon salsa. Total yum!!
Thanks Mary! SO happy to hear you like it!! (:
I am just wondering about the plank after it’s been soaked in OJ overnight and used. Even though it’s been baked at high heat in a BBQ, that still leaves the plank INSIDE and outside of the wood soaked in sticky sugary OJ. Great for the fish, but I can’t imagine it can be left on it’s own after cooking without a really good soak overnight in baking soda or something to clean it deeper INSIDE and out before using again later to avoid bugs, mold and bacteria invading the plank. Most people use a water soak or surface herbs that don’t change the interior of the plank. Others lay lemon or orange slices on the plank with the fish laid on top them which makes for an easy surface cleanup without tossing the board or any extra steps involved in protecting the interior of the plank for use later.
I love the idea of using lemon slices, what a great idea!
That watermelon salsa sounds so refreshing!
It was yummy!! I wish you could try it Kari!!
Ok, so two of my favorite things ever, salmon and watermelon salsa, quite possible the perfect summer meal. Have fun in NY Tieghan, and safe travels!!
SO happy you like this Todd!! Thank you!! (: ✈️?
That sounds amazing!
Thanks Jena!
Beautiful as always! Love cedar salmon. It’s amazing with a splash of maple over the salmon too!
Maple sounds so yummy!! Thank you Debs!
Looks divine!…. Another alternative to Cedar plank is putting the salmon directly on pine boughs….the flavor is incredible…it is a favorite with our guests…
Thank you for your wonderful posts!
WOAH! Sounds so awesome!! I must try that!! Thank you!!
I am not a fish person but I sent a pic of this to our son. He just got a Big Green Egg and I can see them doing this.
AH Thats great! I hope he trys this!!
The watermelon, mango and feta salsa sounds like a great pairing with the salmon. I love the idea of soaking the cedar planks in oj for another layer of flavor. Sure hope Sunny and 84 degrees works for you because that what NYC is looking like for Wednesday! Have a great trip!
Thank you Jean!! Oh my gosh!! That is exactly what I want to hear! There couldn’t be a better weather for me right about now!! SO EXCITED!!
Looks and sounds amazing! I have yet to try cooking with a cedar plank. Definitely on my “to-do” list. And never knew you could soak the plank in something other than water. That’s so cool! I’m definitely ready for Summer. We opened the pool last week, but the water is still only 58 degrees. Just a little cold! I’m hoping it warms up soon! I need a cocktail poolside!
The pool sounds SO nice! I’m so jealous! I’m sure it will warm up for you soon!! I hope you get to try the salmon and love it Liz!!
Firstly, this looks and sounds amazing! Secondly, that’s so cool that you’re going to NY. And thirdly, the mention of New York in the summer made me jump to the same thought because my sis and I are in the middle of watching gossip girl on netflix. I love that you’re a fan too!
Thank you!! I’m pretty excited about it!! I LOVE gossip girl! Haha, if only I could make some time to watch it lol.
This sounds like a dream come true! Salmon, mango and watermelon just might be my fav things in the world. Have tried cedar plank salmon once in a restaurant before, but would love to attempt it myself!
You definitely need to!! It always taste better when you make it yourself!! You got it!! (:
I love salmon but not sure if I could find cedar planks easily enough, though…
https://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Hopefully at a local hardware store? You can buy a larger piece and cut it down!
I am impressed as always! I too love cedar plank salmon, but I hadn’t considered soaking the plank in anything but water—super creative!
Thanks Rachel!! Hope it works well for you(:
i love the idea of soaking the plank in oj! and i know my dad bought a huge plank of untreated cedar at home depot, and then just sawed it down to manageable pieces. he said it was super cheap too!
So perfect!! I’m sure that will work perfectly!! Hope you love it heather!