Cedar Plank Oven Salmon

Can you put cedar planks in the oven to cook salmon?  Yes, you can!  This cedar plank oven salmon recipe is delicious and easy to make.

Sponsored by Fire & Flavor.

Cedar plank oven salmon

Cedar Plank Oven Salmon

When I received a package of cedar grilling planks from Fire & Flavor, I couldn’t wait to get grilling—but the weather had other ideas.  Outdoor grilling was officially rained out.  How could I put that sweet, smoky, robust cedar flavor into salmon without a grill?  Simple!  You can make cedar plank oven salmon, using the same Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Planks.

Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Planks

One of the reasons I like to use Fire & Flavor Grilling Planks is that they’re sustainably sourced.  They’re also all natural, HACCP Food Safe Verified, and perfect for fish, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, lamb, or veggies.  When you combine a Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Plank with a great piece of salmon and some Fire & Flavor Salmon Rub, you’ve got a recipe for perfection.  (Be sure to check out this recipe for how to use cedar grilling wraps.)

Fire & Flavor Salmon Rub

Here are some pro tips for making cedar plank oven salmon.

Soaking the Cedar Planks

Cedar planks should be soaked in water for at least 1 hour before cooking.  It’s the steam that rises from the soaked wood that imparts the flavor of the cedar.

Cedar plank soaking in water

Brining the Salmon Before Oven Baking

If you’d like to see less of the white protein that naturally appears on the surface of the cooked salmon, you can reduce it by brining the salmon in a solution of water and salt.  Combine 2 tablespoons of salt with 2 cups of water and submerge the salmon fillets for 10 minutes, then pat dry.  The saltwater will gently break down some of the external muscle fibers, preventing them from squeezing out protein as the salmon contracts during the cooking process.

Fresh salmon fillets, ready to brine

Adding the Salmon Rub

After the planks are soaked and the salmon has been brined and patted to remove excess water, you can coat the fillets with salmon rub.  Fire & Flavor Salmon Rub is a no-fuss, no-muss seasoning blend that combines a variety of savory spices plus ancho chili pepper, salt, and brown sugar.  It’s also Non GMO Project Certified and gluten free.

Seasoned salmon, ready to bake

Preheating the Soaked Cedar Plank

When everything is ready to go, you’ll briefly preheat the soaked cedar plank in the hot oven before adding the brined and seasoned salmon, ensuring that the wood is hot enough to begin cooking the salmon evenly.

Fire & Flavor Cedar Planks and Salmon Rub

Be sure to use the Fire & Flavor store locator to find their products near you, or shop online here.

5 from 7 votes

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Cedar Plank Oven Salmon

Can you put cedar planks in the oven to cook salmon?  Yes, you can!  This cedar plank oven salmon recipe is delicious and easy to make.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Gluten Free

Keyword bbq, dinner, entertaining, fish, party food, plank, salmon, seafood

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 161 kcal

Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons salt for the brine
• 1 pound salmon fillets
• Fire & Flavor Salmon Rub see note
• 1 tablespoon melted butter optional
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill optional

Special Equipment

• 1 Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Plank

Instructions

1. Soak the cedar plank in water for 1 hour.  When it's almost done soaking, begin preheating the oven to 350 F.

2. While the oven is preheating, make a brine for the salmon by combining 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of salt.  Soak the salmon in the brine for 10 minutes while the oven preheats.
   

3. Remove the cedar plank from the water and shake off excess water.  Remove the salmon from the brine and gently pat to remove excess brine.  Rub the salmon with the desired amount of salmon rub.

4. Place a flat rack on a baking sheet (you can line the baking sheet with foil first, for easy cleanup, if desired).   Place the soaked plank on the rack.  Put the baking sheet with the rack and plank on it in the oven for 5 minutes to heat up.

5. Remove the baking sheet with the rack and plank on it.  Place the rubbed salmon on the hot plank; if the end of a salmon filet is thinner than the center, you can gently fold the thin end under so that the salmon cooks more evenly.  Return the baking sheet to the oven.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached.  (Salmon is fully cooked when it flakes easily with a fork.)

6. Optional: glaze salmon fillets with melted butter and sprinkle on chopped fresh dill just before serving.

Recipe Notes

You can also make your own salmon rub by combining 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of coarse salt, 2 teaspoons of ancho chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper.  (Rub recipe courtesy of Fire & Flavor.)

Nutrition Facts

Cedar Plank Oven Salmon

Amount Per Serving

Calories 161 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g 11%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 62mg 21%

Sodium 49mg 2%

Potassium 555mg 16%

Protein 22g 44%

Vitamin A 0.9%

Calcium 1.4%

Iron 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Got planks?  Here are more great recipes to try!

• Planked Shrimp with Peach and Avocado Salsa
• Planked Grilled Vegetables
• Planked Brie
• Planked Beef Filet with Spiced Blue Cheese