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Home » Recipes » Main Courses » Cedar Plank Oven Salmon

Cedar Plank Oven Salmon

October 30, 2018 By Katie Moseman 17 Comments

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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 on a plank with fresh dill garnish

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 and Flavor Cedar Planks next to cedar plank oven salmon

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 and Flavor Salmon Rub next to salmon and dill

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

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.

Raw salmon fillets on white paper

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.

Raw salmon fillets with salmon rub

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 and Flavor Cedar Planks and Salmon Rub

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.

Cedar plank oven salmon on a plank with fresh dill garnish
5 from 9 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*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 62mg21%
Sodium 49mg2%
Potassium 555mg16%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 45IU1%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* 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
And don’t miss these tutorials on how to brine a turkey or how to cook chicken wings in the oven.
Cedar Plank Oven Salmon
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Vegetable Cookbook

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Main Courses, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Ronnie

    November 3, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, that salmon looks absolutely perfect! So you put the plank in the oven and get the smoky flavor? Is that how it works?

    Reply
    • karennicholson

      December 29, 2024 at 5:54 pm

      that’s what i do, but i put it in a cast iron pan with a little water. i bought the salmon pre-seasoned with the plank.

      Reply
  2. Sara Welch

    November 3, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve heard of these but have never gotten around to using them. WOW, does that salmon look good!!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Goth

    November 3, 2018 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, this looks beyond amazing. I’m trying not to drool but, wow. Definitely going to try these out!

    Reply
  4. Michelle Goth

    November 3, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    5 stars
    wow, these look absolutely amazing! I love salmon and have never had some that looked this delicious!

    Reply
  5. Becca Wilson

    November 4, 2018 at 8:43 am

    Salmon is definitely one of my favorites. This looks like it would be so good.

    Reply
  6. Ana

    November 4, 2018 at 7:14 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never thought of using cedar planks while cooking, but it sounds absolutely amazing, and that Salmon Rub spice is the icing on the cake. Pinning for future reference and plan on making this delicious recipe soon – Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Cindy Ingalls

    November 4, 2018 at 11:35 pm

    Cedar planks add such great flavor to salmon. I’m also curious to give that rub a try. It looks so interesting.

    Reply
  8. Princess Quinn

    November 5, 2018 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    Looks so tasty! We have some salmon here and we’ve been wanting to try a new recipe for it. This is perfect!

    Reply
  9. Judy

    February 28, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    I have always grilled plank salmon, which is delicious! So when I saw this oven baked version, I just had to try it. It was fabulous! For the rub, I used McKormick’s Applewood Rub. Before serving, I brushed on the melted butter and dill. It was easy and delightful to have an indoor version of planked salmon on this cold February day. Thank you!

    Reply
  10. lee ann line

    April 28, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, besides the tantalizing recipe, some really great tips for cooking to perfection! folding over thin edge, preheating plank and soaking salmon to reduce white yucky stuff. Pure brilliance, woman!!!

    Reply
    • Katie Moseman

      May 12, 2021 at 10:20 am

      Thank you very much! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Brandon

    August 15, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is great, thank you for teaching us how to brine too! My gf never likes salmon but she loved this and we are making it again tonight!

    Reply
  12. Laura McLean

    May 21, 2023 at 6:13 pm

    What is a flat rack? Like an oven rack?

    Reply
    • Katie Moseman

      May 21, 2023 at 6:39 pm

      As opposed to a v-shaped or rounded rack, that would hold something like a turkey, a flat rack is a raised oven-safe rack that is flat. Basically, it looks like a rack for cooling cookies – but it’s oven safe. The racks I use for cooling cookies are in fact oven safe, so I use them both for baking things (like this recipe) and cooling things. They’re also known as baking / cooling racks.

      Reply
  13. Mimi

    June 1, 2024 at 4:36 pm

    I just had to comment after finding your recipe, Katie. My family was in visiting and I know how much they love salmon, me, I just tolerate it! Well….they LOVED it, but more importantly, I LOVED IT!!! SO flavorful & the brining is genius! There won’t be another salmon recipe, only this one! Thank you for sharing and thank you for making our family meal so memorable!

    Reply
    • Katie Moseman

      June 1, 2024 at 6:05 pm

      You’re very welcome! And thank you for your kind words!

      Reply

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