Ingredients
2 cedar planks
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 (6-oz.) salmon fillets, skin removed, patted dry
Lime wedges, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1Place the cedar planks on a rimmed baking sheet, fill the baking sheet with water and let soak for 2 hours.Step 2Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.Step 3Coat each fillet with the dry rub, and place on a small rimmed baking sheet or plate. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 2 hours, or up to overnight.Step 4Preheat the grill to medium high for 5 minutes. Place 2 salmon fillets on each cedar plank and place on the hot grill. Cover and cook for 16 to 20 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.Step 5Remove from the grill, garnish with lime wedges, and serve right off the wood plank.
We love using a cedar plank to grill salmon not just because it helps prevent the fish from sticking to the grill, but also because it adds a subtle, smokey flavor to the salmon. Who says you need to buy a smoker?! Cedar planks specifically for grilling can be purchased easily online or at well-stocked grocery stores. To prevent burning, the planks need to be soaked for at least 2 hours in water. While the planks soak, you’ll quick-cure the salmon with a mixture of brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. The rub both flavors the fish and also draws out some moisture from the flesh, resulting in a firmer texture. Of course, you can season the salmon with any kind of rub you like or skip the step entirely and season with salt and pepper right before cooking. Feel free to also use any of your favorite grilling spice rubs for this recipe. Another huge plus of using a cedar plank? There’s no need to flip the salmon while grilling. The technique cooks the fish gently and evenly in about 20 minutes. You can reuse the cedar planks after grilling, but they may have a slight flavor from the salmon. Wash gently with a mild soap.
