Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe with Citrus Rub

Our family adores this cedar plank salmon recipe featuring a simple citrus brown sugar rub! The salmon remains tender in the center and absorbs a delightful smoky flavor from the cedar plank.

We enjoy preparing salmon fillets on cedar planks. They impart an incredible smoky flavor and make cleanup a breeze! The rub for this salmon recipe resembles the one we use for our brown sugar baked salmon. It’s quick to assemble and complements the fish beautifully.

We utilize our outdoor grill for this cedar plank recipe, but you can easily adjust it for your oven. (Refer to our tips below on exactly how to do this!) If you’re seeking more ways to perfect cooking fish at home, don’t forget to explore our lemon dill baked salmon or our grilled salmon with nectarines recipe.

Key Ingredients

You only require a few basic ingredients and a cedar plank to create the best cedar plank salmon:

• Cedar Plank: When selecting a cedar plank for cooking salmon, ensure it’s untreated, large enough for your fillet, and specifically designated for cooking. Remember to soak the plank in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This allows the wood to absorb moisture and generate the fragrant steam that flavors the salmon. If you’re hoping to find one at a local hardware store, bypass the lumber section and head to where grills are sold. You might discover a food-safe option there.
• Salmon: Any salmon fillet works well for this cedar plank salmon recipe. We particularly favor wild salmon, such as sockeye, king, or coho. We also prefer using skin-on salmon. The skin serves as an extra shield to the heat below and effortlessly peels off the fish once cooked.
• Homemade Citrus Rub: We adore this simple rub made with brown sugar, lemon zest, salt, and smoked paprika. It pairs wonderfully with the salmon! We enjoy rubbing it all over the fillet and letting it sit for 15 minutes before cooking.
• Thyme: This is optional, but we love adding a few sprigs of thyme under the salmon. It enhances the flavor of the fish and complements the woody notes of the cedar plank and the citrusy notes in the rub.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Cedar Plank Salmon on the Grill

Grilling salmon can be challenging, so we’re thrilled to share this nearly foolproof method for grilling salmon. The cedar plank shields the fish from direct heat and prevents it from sticking to the grill grates, which can be quite troublesome!

Tip 1: Don’t forget to soak the cedar plank. It’s crucial to soak the plank before using it. Thirty minutes is the minimum time, though longer is always a good idea. The plank must be fully saturated to steam and release those smoky cedar flavors.

To soak a cedar plank, place it in a rimmed baking sheet filled with water, then use something heavy, like a large tomato can, to weigh it down and keep it submerged.

Tip 2: Apply the rub. We use our fingers to massage the citrus herb rub into the salmon, then let it sit for 15 minutes to marinate a bit.

Tip 3: Prepare the grill. While the salmon absorbs the rub, get your grill ready. Aim for a well-heated grill set to medium-high heat. If you’re using your oven, refer to the tips below.

Tip 4: Grill the plank without the salmon. Since the salmon only requires 15 to 20 minutes to cook, we recommend placing the soaked cedar plank on the grill for 3 to 5 minutes before adding the fish. This allows the plank to acquire a bit of color and start smoking.

Tip 5: Add your salmon. Once the grill emanates a smoky cedar aroma (which is delightful, by the way), flip the plank, add a few fresh thyme sprigs, and then position the salmon on top. The salmon should cook for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of salmon and its thickness.

In our images, you’ll notice lemon halves next to the plank. Grilled or roasted lemons are a treat. By the time the salmon is ready, the lemon halves become slightly charred and sweet, perfect for squeezing over the cooked salmon.

How to Bake Cedar Plank Salmon in the Oven

Although grilling imparts a delightful smoky flavor, you can certainly prepare this recipe indoors. Here’s how to adapt it for the oven:

1. Just like with grilling, be sure to soak the cedar plank in water for at least 30 minutes.
2. Once the plank is thoroughly soaked, preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare the citrus brown sugar rub as instructed. Massage the spice blend into the salmon and allow it to sit while the oven heats up.
3. Position the soaked plank directly on the middle oven rack (and place a foil-lined baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips). Then, place the salmon on top. If there’s space, you can even roast the lemon halves alongside. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 125°F.

Serving Suggestions

This salmon evokes summer vibes, so we love serving it alongside some of our favorite summery accompaniments. It pairs wonderfully with fresh dishes like our corn salad, avocado salad, peach burrata salad, or tomato feta salad. For a heartier option, consider serving it alongside our Greek pasta salad or no mayo herb potato salad.

I particularly enjoy adding a sauce to complement the smoky, woodsy flavor of the fish. Consider drizzling some of our easy tzatziki sauce, a dollop of tahini sauce, or even a generous spoonful of guacamole on top.

Lastly, it pairs beautifully with a simple starch like cilantro lime rice, fried rice, or my personal favorite, saffron rice. You can even flake the cooked salmon to use with your preferred taco toppings and enjoy it wrapped in homemade corn tortillas!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I do if the cedar plank catches fire? Despite soaking the plank, it may still catch fire when grilling outdoors. That’s why we always keep some water nearby to extinguish any flames around the edges of the plank. As you can see from our photo, ours caught fire, but the salmon remained safe and delicious. Ensuring you soak the plank for at least 30 minutes and keeping the grill lid closed as much as possible will also help prevent flare-ups.

• Can I reuse a cedar plank? We don’t recommend it. After grilling, the plank will be heavily charred on the bottom and will have absorbed salmon oils on the top. For optimal flavor and food safety, we suggest discarding the used wood and using a fresh, clean cedar plank next time.
• Do I need to flip the salmon while it grills? Not at all! That’s one of the best aspects of this recipe. The cedar plank shields the underside of the fish from sticking or burning. As long as you keep the grill lid closed, the heat will circulate around the salmon, cooking it perfectly without any flipping required.

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