Cedar Plank Salmon Lemon Dill (Printer-friendly)

Smoky salmon grilled on cedar plank with fresh lemon and dill for a bright, savory taste.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Marinade

01 - 4 (6-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
05 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For Grilling

09 - 1 untreated cedar plank (approximately 12 x 6 inches), soaked in water for at least 1 hour
10 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced
11 - Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Submerge untreated cedar plank in cold water for at least 1 hour, placing a weight on top to keep it fully submerged.
02 - Combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped dill, minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl, stirring until well blended.
03 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides generously with the prepared marinade. Allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
04 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F (200°C).
05 - Position soaked cedar plank directly on grill grates. Close lid and heat for 3 minutes until plank begins to crackle and release smoke.
06 - Arrange lemon slices across the heated plank. Carefully place salmon fillets skin-side down atop the lemon slices.
07 - Close grill lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until salmon is cooked through and flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork.
08 - Remove plank from grill using tongs or a grill-safe spatula. Allow salmon to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The cedar plank does most of the heavy lifting, infusing the salmon with a subtle smoky depth that makes people think you've been cooking all day.
  • It's foolproof enough to impress guests but casual enough to throw together on a random Tuesday without fuss.
02 -
  • Never rush the soaking step or skip the weight on the plank, because I've watched too many planks flame up instead of smoke beautifully, and it's heartbreaking.
  • Untreated cedar is the entire difference between this being spectacular and your grill smelling like chemicals, so read those labels carefully.
03 -
  • Place the plank in the sun for 30 minutes before soaking if you remember, it speeds up the water absorption and ensures more even moisture throughout.
  • Buy untreated cedar planks from the grilling section of your store, not from the lumber yard where they've treated them with chemicals you definitely don't want on your food.
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