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Flavorful Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe with Sweet Maple Glaze

cedar plank salmon - featured image

This cedar plank salmon recipe features a sweet maple glaze and a subtle smoky aroma from the cedar plank, creating a tender, flaky, and flavorful dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets, skin-on, about 6 ounces (170g) each
  • 1 untreated food-grade cedar plank, soaked in water for at least 1 hour
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • Fresh herbs (dill or parsley), chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Soak the cedar plank in water for at least 60 minutes, weighing it down if necessary to keep submerged.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the glaze. Set aside.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 350°F (175°C). If using a grill pan or oven broiler, preheat accordingly.
  4. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them skin-side down on the soaked cedar plank.
  5. Brush a generous layer of the maple glaze over the salmon.
  6. Place the cedar plank on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 12–15 minutes, brushing with more glaze halfway through cooking.
  7. Check for doneness: salmon should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 125–130°F (52–54°C).
  8. Carefully remove the cedar plank from the grill using tongs or heatproof gloves.
  9. Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs if desired.

Notes

Soak the cedar plank for at least 1 hour or overnight for gentler smoke and to prevent burning. Brush the glaze thinly and add more halfway through cooking to avoid burning. Use a thermometer to check for doneness at 125–130°F for moist, tender salmon. If using an oven, cook on a soaked cedar plank at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes under the broiler or baking setting. Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.

Nutrition

Keywords: cedar plank salmon, maple glaze salmon, grilled salmon, easy salmon recipe, sweet maple glaze, smoky salmon, healthy salmon recipe