Do I need to soak a cedar plank for salmon?

Q: Do I soak cedar plank before grilling with it?

For the grill If youre planning to use your cedar plank on a grill, soak for 1-2 hours in any temperature water. Its important to soak through so that the wood doesnt catch fire when it comes into contact with open flame.

Level: Easy
Total: 2 hr 45 min

Prep: 15 min
Inactive: 2 hr
Cook: 30 min

Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition Info Nutritional AnalysisPer ServingCalories323 calorie Total Fat10 grams Saturated Fat2 grams Cholesterol77 milligrams Sodium742 milligrams Carbohydrates 18 grams Protein37 grams Sugar13 grams

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How long do you soak a cedar plank for salmon?
How long do you have to soak a cedar plank before grilling?
Do I soak cedar plank before grilling with it?
How long do you soak a wood plank for salmon?

Level: Easy
Total: 2 hr 45 min

Prep: 15 min
Inactive: 2 hr
Cook: 30 min

Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition Info Nutritional AnalysisPer ServingCalories323 calorie Total Fat10 grams Saturated Fat2 grams Cholesterol77 milligrams Sodium 742 milligrams Carbohydrates18 grams Protein37 grams Sugar13 grams

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1 cedar plank (6 by 14 inches)

2 salmon fillets (1 1/2 pounds total)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 tablespoons Dijon mustard

6 tablespoons brown sugar

Soak cedar plank in salted water for 2 hours, then drain. Remove skin from salmon fillet. Remove any remaining bones. Rinse the salmon under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Generously season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides. Lay the salmon (on what was skin-side down) on the cedar plank and carefully spread the mustard over the top and sides. Place the brown sugar in a bowl and crumble between your fingers, then sprinkle over the mustard.
Set grill for indirect grilling and heat to medium-high. Place the cedar plank in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook until cooked through, around 20 to 30 minutes. The internal temperature should read 135 degrees F. Transfer the salmon and plank to a platter and serve right off the plank.
Cook's Note: A direct method to grill the salmon may be used. Soak the cedar plank well. Spread the mustard and brown sugar on the salmon, but do not place the fish on the plank. Set up the grill for direct grilling on medium-high. When ready to cook, place the plank on the hot grate and leave it until there is a smell of smoke, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the plank over and place the fish on top. Cover the grill and cook until the fish is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 135 degrees F. Check the plank occasionally. If the edges start to catch fire, mist with water, or move the plank to a cooler part of the grill.

This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional. It has not been tested for home use.

Recipe courtesy Steve Raichlen

Fish, check! Marinade, check! Side dish, check! Pre-heated grill, check! Soaked cedar plank….uh oh.

Not sure how many times you’ve done the “rapid” cedar plank soaking, where you tell your wife and kids that “the fish needs more time to marinade”. Or you short the plank soaking time and wind up with the fish engulfed in cedar plank flames. Hopefully not more than once.

But here is a great trick that my dad came up with. When you do remember to soak the plank 1 to 2 hours ahead, soak 2 (or 8 Cedar Grilling Planks, buy them here) of them. Then, after soaking, wrap the extra in heavy duty aluminum foil and throw it in the freezer. Next time you forget to pre-soak, you can just pull it out of the deep freeze and voila, you have a soaked plank all ready to go. I just put it in a water bath for a few minutes as I’m preparing the fish, and it is ready. If it sticks to the foil, just let it thaw a few seconds before pulling the foil off of it.

Soaking helps steam the fish and also keeps the board from burning. Plus it adds some great flavor. I’ve found that longer soaks do make a difference for burning, and lets me re-use a board 2 or 3 times. If they aren’t too charred, just scrub them real good with a stiff brush under warm water (no soap) until all of the bits are gone.

Check out these cedar plank recipes to use this great tip with:

Maple Bourbon Glazed Grilled Salmon recipe
Planked and Grilled Meatloaf recipe (YES! Meatloaf)
Pesto Planked Chicken recipe

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How long do you soak a cedar plank for salmon?

Soak cedar plank in salted water for 2 hours, then drain. Remove skin from salmon fillet. Remove any remaining bones. Rinse the salmon under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.

How long do you have to soak a cedar plank before grilling?

Soak an untreated cedar plank, about 16 by 8 inches, in water for at least 1 hour. 2. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).

Do I soak cedar plank before grilling with it?

For the grill If you're planning to use your cedar plank on a grill, soak for 1-2 hours in any temperature water. It's important to soak through so that the wood doesn't catch fire when it comes into contact with open flame.

How long do you soak a wood plank for salmon?

Instructions.

Soak the cedar plank for 30 minutes, and up to 2 hours, by completely submerging plank in water, wine, or cider. You can use a combination of water and wine/cider. ... .

Heat a charcoal or gas grill to about 400° F, or medium-high. ... .

Lightly coat the salmon with a thin layer of olive oil on each side..