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This salmon grilled on cedar plank with butter, lemon, dill and garlic marinade is about the easiest and most delicious dinner you can make on the grill.
If you are trying to eat low carb or simply want to enjoy a wonderful seafood dinner made on your grill, then this salmon grilled on cedar plank recipe is for you! It’s flaky, smoky, succulent and just divine!
Pair with your favorite grilled veggies and a salad and you have an easy and delicious dinner to entertain your family and close friends, or your significant other for a date night.
Want to make it even better? Serve this mouthwatering grilled salmon recipe with Michelob ULTRA or Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold!
But being healthy is not all about sacrifice, right? It’s about balancing health with living a good life and having fun.
To keep that balance, I always go for Michelob ULTRA when entertaining or in gatherings with friends and family. They go perfectly with a healthy recipe and a great game! It has only 2.6g of carbs and 95 calories per BOTTLE, less than a piece of toast, which is great because I can enjoy one of my favorite beers guilt-free!
But it’s not all about the carbs, it’s also about the taste. I like beer that is crisp and doesn’t leave an aftertaste. In my opinion, Michelob ULTRA is that superior light beer and pairs great with this citrus marinated grilled salmon recipe.
I got all my fresh ingredients at my Kroger, and you can find Michelob ULTRA at your local supermarket and many other locations.
Click here for possible savings in your area. Give this salmon a try this weekend and don’t forget to buy and enjoy your Michelob ULTRA with it!
Why Grill Fish on a Cedar Plank?
Grilling salmon on cedar planks is about preparation and imparting extra smoky flavor into the fish. When heated, the cedar releases earthy aromas that permeates the salmon.
It’s an easier way to grill the salmon, no flipping required which means it won’t stick to the grill, making this method of preparation ideal for large salmon fillets.
The cedar boards really kick it up a notch and make this easy recipe taste like a more sophisticated dish.
Lastly, it provides a wonderful presentation for fish. All you need is the salmon and a few garnishes and you are done!
How to Grill Salmon on Cedar Planks
There are two ways to cook with cedar planks:
Method 1: Soak the cedar planks in water
Soaking the plank in water will make the wood “swell” or take in water so that when it’s on the grill it doesn’t catch on fire. This can take from 15 minutes to a few hours. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for this method.
The ones I use soak in just 15 minutes!
Method 2 : Char the cedar planks
By pre-charring the cedar planks, you are cutting down on the time needed for the preparation of the planks.
This method is a little more advanced and requires a careful approach and maybe some extra cedar boards. Leaving it too long on the grill can make the planks catch on fire, so the best approach is to keep a close eye on it and a spray bottle with water on hand.
At the first sign of smoke, you should check the cedar plank and flip it over if it has started to char (grill marks).
Personally, I didn’t notice a discernible difference between the two methods and since the boards I use only take 15 minutes to soak, I prefer the soaking method. This allows me to prepare the salmon while the boards are in water and I don’t have to worry about burning them.
BUT, if you want to impress your guests, you can always use this method and have a Michelob ULTRA while you carefully watch the cedar planks on the grill!
Where to Buy Cedar Planks?
Cedar planks are available online and in most grocery stores. They usually come in two sizes to accommodate a whole salmon or for individual portions.
Make sure it has no additives and if you are worried about that, buy cedar planks that require less soaking. I bought these and they are ready in 15 minutes.
Can You Reuse Cedar Planks for Salmon?
Absolutely, however, the taste from the cedar will be less strong with each use.
To reuse the board, clean it after use with mild soap and water and let it air dry. Store it for the next time.
How Long Does it Take to Grill Salmon on Cedar Planks?
How long you grill fish on cedar planks depends on the thickness of the fillet and temperature of the grill.
It takes around 15-30 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet and the temperature of your grill.
The best way to determine if the salmon is cooked is with a thermometer that should read 135- 140 F at the thickest part of the fillet.
Then you should let it rest for another five minutes before serving to let it complete the cooking process.
What Temperature Do You Grill Salmon on Cedar Planks?
Cedar plank grilling is an indirect method of grilling, meaning it should not be left on top of high heat.
Instead it should receive the indirect heat of a medium/low temperature.
If your grill is large enough, you might be able to turn one side on high heat and the side in which the salmon is in on low.
Do You Flip the Fish on the Cedar Plank?
There is no need to turn the salmon when cooking on a cedar plank. It will cook thoroughly with indirect heat.
Marinating The Salmon
So this marinade is almost like a sauce. You should marinate for about 15 minutes while you are pre-soaking the cedar plank or while charring it on the grill.
This marinade also works great on baked salmon in foil.
The most important part of this marinade is that you cook the garlic so it doesn’t overwhelm the taste of the fish and dill. See notes in the recipe below.
If you want a richer marinade for salmon with Asian flavors, try my Baked Salmon with Honey, Ginger and Wasabi.
Easy Salmon Grilled on Cedar Plank
Ingredients
- Michelob ULTRA Light Beer or Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold
For Grilled Salmon on Cedar Plank
- 1 lb fresh salmon fillet
- 3 lemons
- 2 tbsps ghee
- 5 garlic cloves chopped small
- 3 dill sprigs chopped small
- salt and pepper to taste
- cedar plank
Grilled Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper quartered
- 1 eggplant sliced thick
- 1 zucchinis cut lengthwise
- 1 yellow squash cut lengthwise
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced small
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Grilling the Salmon on Cedar Plank
- Soak the cedar plank for the lenght of time in the manufacturer's instructions.
- While the board is soaking, prepare the marinade. In a small saucepan, add the ghee, dill and the chopped garlic. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes on high heat or until the garlic starts to turn golden brown. Do not overcook it or it might burn.
- Add the juice of one lemon with seeds removed. Stir it and let it cook an additional minute or two. Remove sauce from the heat and let it cool completely.
- Once the marinade is cooled, place the salmon on a container and distribute the marinade on top of it. Put the salmon in the fridge for about 20 minutes or until the cedar plank in done soaking.
- When the cedar plank is ready, turn the grill on high heat and pre-heat to 375-400F.
- Put the salmon on the cedar plank, season it with salt and pepper and place lemon slices on top of it. Place the cedar plank with salmon on the grill.
- Turn the heat to medium low and let it cook for 15-30 minutes (depending on how thick the fillet is) or until the salmon reaches a 135F temperature.
- Remove salmon from grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Grilling the vegetables
- Cut the vegetables in large pieces as to not fall through the grate.
- Place it in a large bowl or baking pan and drizzle with olive oil, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and give the vegetables a good toss to make sure each piece is coated with the marinade. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the grill in high heat. Once it's hot, place the vegetables on the grill and cook it for 3 minutes or until grill marks develop. Flip it once and repeat the process. Remove the vegetables from the grill and set aside.
Notes
Nutrition
If you liked this Grilled Salmon on Cedar Plank recipe, you might also like these other low carb recipes:
- Carne Asada Recipe
- Grilled Korean Pork Chops
- Keto Bread in 90 Seconds
- Low Carb Chocolate Delight
- Best Tuna Salad
- Low Carb Turkey Meatballs
- Low Carb Breakfast Egg Muffins
- Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- Oven Baked Salmon with Honey, Ginger, Wasabi Glaze
If you liked this recipe, you might also like Beef Gyudon!
What recipe should I make next?
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This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
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