Cedar Plank Salmon

Name: Cedar Plank Salmon
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 6 - 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 1/2 to 2 lb. skin-on salmon; 1 tbsp. olive oil; 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 3/4 tsp. black pepper; 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard; 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar; Juice of one lemon; 2 tsp. fresh dill (optional)

The salmon gets such great flavor from cooking on the cedar plank!

By Ree DrummondPublished: May 25, 2026

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pioneer woman cedar plank salmon grilling

ryan liebe

Yields:

6 - 8 serving(s)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 40 mins

Grilling salmon on a cedar plank is one of those easy tricks that makes dinner feel extra impressive with hardly any extra work. The cedar wood gives the salmon a subtle smoky flavor while helping it stay incredibly moist and flaky on the grill without sticking to the grates. You can find the planks online or at your local grocery store or fish market, and they make all the difference. Prep the fish with a sweet-and-savory Dijon mustard glaze made with brown sugar and lemon, and you’ve got a summer dinner recipe that tastes straight out of a restaurant.

I love making this cedar plank salmon for backyard cookouts because it looks beautiful on the table and cooks in one simple piece. The smoky grilled flavor pairs perfectly with all your favorite summer sides, from grilled corn and tomato-cucumber salad to roasted ranch potatoes and macaroni salad. Plus, serving the salmon right on the cedar plank makes cleanup so easy.

Even if you’ve never grilled fish before, this recipe is wonderfully approachable. The cedar plank helps protect the salmon from overcooking while adding tons of flavor along the way. Whether you’re feeding guests or just making a laid-back dinner at home, this salmon recipe is guaranteed to become a warm-weather favorite.

Why do you soak a cedar plank before grilling?

Soaking the cedar plank in water helps prevent it from burning too quickly on the grill. It also allows the wood to slowly smoke while the salmon cooks, which adds flavor and helps keep the fish moist and tender.

Can you prepare cedar plank salmon ahead of time?

Yes. You can season and glaze the salmon up to 8 hours ahead of grilling. Keep it refrigerated, uncovered, until you’re ready to cook.

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Directions

1. Step 1Soak a large cedar plank (7 by 15 inches) in water for at least 1 hour, weighing down the plank to keep it fully submerged.
2. Step 2Rub the salmon all over with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Combine the mustard and brown sugar in a small bowl and spread all over the fish. Refrigerate the salmon, uncovered, until ready to grill (up to 8 hours).
3. Step 3Preheat a grill to medium. Place the cedar plank in the center of the grill and heat the plank until lightly smoking (it should not ignite), about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4Place the salmon, skin-side down, on the plank. Cover the grill and cook until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 120˚F to 125˚F for medium doneness, 15 to 20 minutes. Use tongs to remove the plank with the salmon from the grill.
5. Step 5Squeeze the lemon juice over the salmon and sprinkle with the dill, if using. Serve the salmon on the plank or use a large spatula to remove the salmon from the plank, leaving the skin behind.