Cedar plank salmon is a delicious way to grill salmon infused with subtle smoky cedar flavors. Knowing the right temperature to grill cedar plank salmon is important to ensure the fish is cooked properly without drying out. The ideal temperature for grilling cedar plank salmon is between 300-350°F.
Why Use a Cedar Plank for Grilling Salmon
Grilling salmon on a cedar plank has several advantages over grilling salmon directly on the grill grate:
- The cedar infuses the salmon with subtle, smoky cedar flavors.
- The plank prevents the salmon from sticking to the grill.
- The plank helps retain moisture in the salmon so it doesn’t dry out.
- The salmon cooks evenly on the plank.
- Easy cleanup as you can just toss the plank after grilling.
Cedar is a great wood for planks because it has a milder flavor compared to mesquite or other woods. This allows the delicious salmon flavor to still come through while adding aromatic cedar notes.
Cedar Plank Grilling Temperature
The ideal temperature for grilling salmon on a cedar plank is between 300-350°F. This relatively low temperature allows the salmon to cook slowly and gently. Key benefits of using 300-350°F:
- Allows salmon to cook through without drying out the fillet.
- Enables the salmon to absorb more cedar flavoring.
- Prevents the plank from charring or catching fire.
- Gives you more time to glaze or baste salmon before serving.
If the temperature is lower than 300°F, the salmon may not cook all the way through. If the temperature is higher than 350°F, the fish can dry out quickly.
Setting Up the Grill for Cedar Plank Salmon
Here are some tips for setting up your grill correctly for cooking cedar plank salmon:
- If using a gas grill, preheat on high for 10-15 minutes then reduce heat to medium-low, about 325°F.
- For charcoal grills, pile coals on one side of grill and cook salmon on other side. This creates indirect heat.
- Soak plank in water for 1 hour to prevent burning.
- Oil the grill grates and plank lightly before adding salmon.
- Place soaked plank directly on grill grates over indirect heat area.
- Let plank preheat for 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Place salmon fillet skin-side down onto plank.
How Long to Grill Cedar Plank Salmon
Cook times can vary based on the thickness of your salmon fillet. Here are approximate grill times for salmon:
| Salmon Fillet Thickness | Grill Time |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 8-12 minutes |
| 1 1/2 inches | 14-18 minutes |
| 2 inches | 18-25 minutes |
Use an instant-read thermometer to check internal temperature, remove salmon from grill when it reaches 145°F. The salmon will continue cooking off heat to the proper serving temp of 160°F.
Cedar Plank Grilling Tips
Follow these tips for perfect grilled cedar plank salmon every time:
- Choose wild-caught Pacific salmon for best flavor – king, sockeye or coho.
- Look for thick, center-cut salmon fillets with skin on for easy grilling.
- Use untreated cedar planks no more than 1/2 inch thick.
- Always soak plank for 1 hour before grilling.
- Preheat plank on grill 3-5 minutes until lightly charred before adding salmon.
- Oil the salmon lightly with olive or avocado oil before seasoning.
- Season salmon with brown sugar, citrus, herbs, garlic, onion, chili powders.
- Grill over indirect heat, with lid closed as much as possible.
- Use a spray bottle to spritz plank if it starts to burn.
- Rotate plank 180 degrees halfway through grilling if needed.
- Let salmon rest 5 minutes off heat before serving.
Delicious Cedar Plank Salmon Recipes
Grilling on a cedar plank lends itself well to bold, robust salmon flavors. Here are some amazing cedar plank salmon recipes to try:
- Maple Bourbon Plank Salmon – Brush salmon with maple bourbon glaze before and during grilling.
- Citrus Plank Salmon – Coat salmon with zest from oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit.
- Jerk Cedar Plank Salmon – Dry rub salmon with spicy jerk seasoning.
- Sesame Ginger Plank Salmon – Coat salmon with sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger and garlic.
- Adobo Cedar Plank Salmon – Brush salmon with a smoky adobo sauce.
- Salsa Cedar Plank Salmon – Top grilled salmon with fresh mango salsa.
- Herb Cedar Plank Salmon – Stuff salmon with rosemary, sage, thyme before grilling.
Common Cedar Plank Grilling Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes when cooking cedar plank salmon on the grill:
- Not soaking the plank – leads to burning.
- High heat – dries out the salmon.
- No skin – salmon won’t hold together as well.
- No oil – causes salmon to stick to plank.
- Sauce too early – burns before salmon is done.
- Overcooked salmon – use a meat thermometer.
- Smothering with seasoning – salmon skin prevents rub absorption.
- Forgetting to flip & rotate – ensures even cooking.
- Crowding planks on grill – space them evenly.
Troubleshooting
Having issues grilling your cedar plank salmon? Here are some common problems and solutions:
- Problem: Plank caught fire. Solution: Soak plank longer, at least 1 hour. And grill over lower heat around 300°F.
- Problem: Salmon sticking to plank. Solution: Oil the plank lightly before grilling. Use skin-on salmon.
- Problem: Salmon overcooked and dry. Solution: Monitor temperature closely. Remove from grill at 145°F.
- Problem: Salmon undercooked. Solution: Grill for recommended time based on thickness.
- Problem: Salmon flavor is too smokey. Solution: Use less woodsy cedar plank, like kiln-dried cedar.
Conclusion
Cedar plank grilling is a fantastic technique for infusing salmon with subtle, smoky flavors. For best results grill cedar plank salmon over indirect heat at 300-350°F until cooked to 145°F internal temperature. Allow for carryover cooking off heat to bring the salmon up to a safe serving temperature of 160°F. Soak plank beforehand, oil it lightly and do not overcrowd on the grill. Follow the recommended cook times for the thickness of your fillets. Grilling on a cedar plank seals in moisture while adding amazing flavor. Salmon grilled on a cedar plank makes for an impressive entrée at your next backyard barbecue or summer dinner party.