A summer staple, learn how to make cedar plank salmon with creamy dill sauce on the grill. Top with fresh slices of lemon and serve with your favorite grilled vegetables.
This cedar plank salmon recipe with dill sauce is a staple in our house, especially in the summer. We always have the ingredients on hand. Wild salmon, fresh dill, ,lemon and either low fat sour cream or yogurt works great.
The planked salmon is whipped up in no time and provides an elegant and hassle free dinner. When I came home the other night and saw these beautiful pink pieces of salmon flesh laying atop of the wood planks, I couldn’t help but not share it with the world.
How to Cook with Cedar Planks
Nowadays, you can find wood planks at many grocery stores and even home improvement stores, such as Home Depot or Lowes. Cedar is the more common type of wood used, but I have also seen oak wood planks as well as hickory and apple wood. Just make sure it is safe for cooking and not treated.
All you need to do is soak the planks in water (or even better, try it with beer or even wine, which is my next project!) for at least 2 hours and you’re good to go. Remove the planks from soaking and place the salmon fillets on the planks. Then grill as usual.
The heat against the wood surface injects the fish with an amazing smokiness and as the salmon cooks, it becomes incredibly tender.
Can you Cook Cedar Plank Salmon in the Oven?
Yes, you most certainly can! Instead of placing the planks on a grill, follow the same method and place the planked salmon in the oven on a baking sheet (for easier transporting).
Bake salmon at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes until salmon is just cooked though. Of cours,e this depends on the thickness of your fish as well.
If you love grilled fish as much as I do, try my grilled branzino with lemon and fresh herbs or my other favorite way to eat salmon, in this Greek Fattoush Salad with Grilled Salmon.
Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe with Creamy Dill Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cedar planks
- 2 6 ounces salmon fillets bones and skin removed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 garlic clove grated or chopped finely
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 whole lemon zested and juiced
- Small bunch of fresh dill chopped + extra sprigs for garnish
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Soak cedar planks in water for at least 2 hours. This will prevent any burning of the wood.
- To make the sauce, add together the sour cream, yogurt, garlic, Dijon, lemon zest and juice, dill and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and adjust seasoning.
- When planks are done soaking, place salmon filets on top, skin side down and season with salt and pepper.
- Reserve about 1/2 cup of yogurt sauce and spoon the rest of the sauce over salmon. Top with additional lemon slices and extra fresh dill.
- Place planked salmon on heated grill over medium heat and cook for about 10-12 minutes, depending how thick salmon is. The edges of the planks will slightly char and salmon should be tender in the middle.
Griffin's Grub says
May 7, 2012 at 11:31 amLove cedar planked salmon, but have never had a creamy dill sauce before. Will definitely try that next time.
Interesting you say that you soak your planks 2 hours? I’ve always heard, and done< 30 minutes. Do you think the longer soak time benefits it at all?
admin says
May 8, 2012 at 6:18 pmI’ve never done it for less because the directions on the wood say to soak for at least 2 hrs 🙂
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
May 7, 2012 at 5:14 pmOh. em. gee. I am literally drooling and refraining from licking my screen! Beautiful pics, too!
Liz says
May 7, 2012 at 5:27 pmI adore salmon…and this looks like an amazing recipe! I have some cedar planks waiting to test out your recipe 🙂
Samantha says
May 8, 2012 at 7:43 pmAwesome! Would love to hear how it turns out!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
May 8, 2012 at 5:00 pmI know I told you this on Twitter, but the blog looks great! Kita did an excellent job. And you did a great job with this salmon! It looks delicious! The creamy dill sauce is perfect!
Karen Ching says
July 9, 2018 at 1:29 amCan I just say.. this is so mouth-watering! This is perfect for our next family get-together. My mother would love this for sure!
Samantha says
July 9, 2018 at 9:04 amHi Karen!! Thank you so much! I hope you do make it and please let me know how it comes out! I am planning on grilling more fish recipes this summer 🙂