Cedar Plank Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

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.

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5 from 1 vote

Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe with Creamy Dill Sauce

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.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Soaking2 hrs

Total Time25 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cedar plank salmon, cedar plank salmon recipe, cedar plank salmon grill, how to grill salmon on a cedar plank

Servings: 2 servings

Author: Samantha Ferraro

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.
  

Notes

To cook planked salmon in the oven: Place planks on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes.