Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon offers amazing smokey flavor without sticking to the grill. Cedar plank salmon is a staple for many restaurants.
Yet it is super easy to prepare at home and is very inexpensive to make. This orange glazed cedar planked grilled salmon cooked on the pellet smoker has a sweet citrus taste along with flakey meaty layers.
Using cedar planks make this fish recipe easier to handle and is served right on the wooden board. My best salmon recipe is sure to please.
Grilling salmon is super easy to do with very little meal prep. Salmon on the grill is a great special occasion recipe.
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Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon Ingredients
- Cedar Plank
- Salmon Fillet
- Maple Syrup
- Dijon Mustard
- Grated Orange Rind
- Minced Garlic Cloves
- Salt and Pepper
What are Cedar Planks?
Cedar Planks are thin, smooth pieces of cedar wooden boards that are used to place prepared meats on. It is then placed directly on the grill, cooked, and then served right from the wooden board.
Benefits of using the wooden board is achieving a smokehouse flavor on your grilled foods and the presentation of serving the whole thing to your guests. The wooden cedar planks can be found in bundles in the grilling section of your grocery stores.
You can also buy cedar planks online. These planks are 11 x 5.5 x 0.33 inches. The wood plank does need to be soaked in water before using for about 4 hours.
So, planning ahead is a must when using the cedar planks. When grilling with the cedar planks, single use is highly recommended.
How to Prepare Cedar Planks
When using the cedar planks for cooking your salmon, care needs to be taken for proper grilling. The cedar plank needs to be soaked in water before use.
This helps to release the cedar flavor from the board as your food is cooking. It also helps the wooden board not burn.
Caution: If you have the temptation of not soaking the board before use, don’t! The cedar board will catch fire. Then the salmon will be ruined.
What Salmon to Use?
Freshly caught Michigan salmon is my choice of salmon. Having a husband that is an avid fisherman, I have an ample supply of local Michigan salmon.
Fresh is best! But if you don’t have access to fresh local salmon, then you can use store-bought.
I can purchase Atlantic salmon at my local grocery store. Wild salmon and pacific salmon is a great option.
Skin on or skin off? Both will work for the pellet smoked salmon. Smoke a whole salmon fillet or salmon pieces. The only limits I have are the size of my cedar plank board.
How to Make Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon
Learning how to grill cedar plank salmon is easy to do with a few simple tips. Make sure to soak the cedar plank board in water for at least 4 hours before you plan on grilling the salmon.
If needed, use a weight to hold the board under the water. Preheat the Recteq pellet smoker to 400°F.
How to Make the Orange Marinade
Gather all the ingredients needed for this orange glazed smoked cedar plank salmon. Make the orange marinade by combining the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated orange rind, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Place salmon (skin down) on the soaked cedar plank. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
Carefully, set the plank of wood onto the hot grill grate. Close the lid and let the salmon cook for about 12 minutes.
Apply Orange Marinade
Using a silicone basting brush, apply the prepared orange glaze to the top of the cooking salmon. Smoke for another 10 minutes.
Turn the pellet grill up to 450°F and continue cooking the smoked salmon for another 8 minutes. I check the cedar planked smoked salmon for doneness.
To do this, use a knife to open one of the layers at the thickest part of the filet. You can use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure the thickest part of the fish is at least 145°F.
If needed, cook longer. Cooking times will vary and are only a guideline. Remove the pellet smoked orange glazed salmon from the grill and serve hot with your favorite side dish.
Recipe Swaps
- This pellet grilled salmon on a cedar plank is easily customizable. Make this grilled cedar plank salmon your own. Here are some possible additions or substitutions.
- Place olive oil onto the cedar plank before placing the salmon on the board.
- Add brown sugar to the marinade.
- A dash of smoked paprika, onion powder, or garlic powder.
- Use fresh rosemary or other fresh herbs.
- A squirt of lemon juice or some lemon zest.
- Use a dry rub instead of salt and pepper.
What to Serve with Cedar Plank Salmon Grill?
When making your cedar plank salmon on the grill, pair it with smoked vegetables such as smoked asparagus, smoked cheese potatoes, and smoker Hasselback potatoes.
My favorite sides are smoked mac and cheese, morel mushrooms, cucumber tomato onion salad, and Lion’s Mane mushroom risotto.
And don’t forget the dessert! Try these easy lemon bars or my pineapple up-side down cake.
How to Store Leftover Pellet Smoked Salmon
Leftover pellet smoked salmon can be placed into an airtight container and put into the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Shred cold salmon into a prepared salad or use in a fish taco. Reheat leftover smoked salmon in the microwave or air fryer.
More Salmon Recipes
Are you looking for more salmon recipes? Give these a try!
Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Board
Pellet Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon – FAQ
When using the cedar planks on a smoker grill, it is not recommended that you reuse the pieces of wood. They will become charred from the hot grill and will become very difficult to clean. Cedar planks are fairly inexpensive and are meant to be single use and to be disposed of after use.
If you don’t have a pellet grill to cook your smoked cedar planked salmon on, that’s okay! Cook the cedar planked salmon on an outdoor grill, a Blackstone Griddle with a dome lid, in a Blackstone Pizza Oven, or in your kitchen oven. Adjust the cooking temperature and cooking time as needed.
Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon Recipe
Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe
Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon offers amazing smokey flavor without sticking to the grill. Cedar plank salmon is a staple for many restaurants. Yet it is super easy to prepare at home and is very inexpensive to make. This orange glazed cedar planked grilled salmon cooked on the pellet smoker has a sweet citrus taste along with flakey meaty layers.
Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets 2 pieces
- Maple Syrup 1/4 cup
- Dijon Mustard 1 tablespoon
- Grated Orange Rind 1 tablespoon
- Minced Garlic Cloves. 1 teaspoon
- Salt 1/4 teaspoon
- Pepper 1/8 teaspoon
Instructions
How to Make Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon
- Soak the cedar plank board in water for at least 4 hours before you plan on grilling the salmon. Use a weight to hold the board under the water.
- Preheat the Recteq pellet smoker grill to 400°F.
- Gather the ingredients needed for this orange glazed smoked cedar plank salmon. Prepare the orange marinade by combining the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated orange rind, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Place the salmon (skin down) on the soaked cedar plank and season the fish with salt and pepper.
- Carefully, set the plank of wood onto the hot grill. Close the grill lid and let the salmon cook for about 12 minutes.
- Using a basting brush, apply the prepared orange glaze to the top of the cooking salmon. Smoke for another 10 minutes.
- Turn the pellet grill up to 450°F and continue cooking the smoked salmon for another 8 minutes. Check to see if the cedar planked smoked salmon is fully cooked. To do this, use a knife to open one of the layers at the thick part of the filet. You can use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure the thickest part of the fish is at least 145°F. If needed, cook the fish longer. Cooking times will vary and are only a guideline.
- Remove the smoked orange glazed salmon from the grill and serve hot with your favorite side dish.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, a Walmart Affiliate, and a member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 583Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 143mgSodium 611mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 1gSugar 25gProtein 51g
Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.
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