Garlic & Lemon Cedar Plank Salmon (video)
When it’s grilling season, this is the best way to prepare salmon! Easy and delicious grilled cedar plank salmon, prepared with a garlic, herb, and lemon marinade. The lemon salmon is juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful. Enjoy this grilled salmon with a simple salad, or a side of grilled lemon asparagus. Find more side dish ideas below!
Watch My Cedar Plank Salmon Video Tutorial!
Watch my YouTube cedar plank salmon video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and more tips. Plus, check out my new and updated short reel! Want to stay up to date on the latest and newest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications.
Ingredients for Grilled Salmon
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious garlic and lemon salmon at home. Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Salmon – I prefer wild-caught salmon over farm-raised but either one will work great. Use fresh salmon, with or without the skin.
- Garlic
- Lemons – you’ll need lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Fresh Dill – fresh herbs work best for this recipe and will add the most amount of flavor.
- Butter – I like to use a salted butter for the marinade, but olive oil will also work well.
Supplies & Tools for the Recipe
Need some supplies or tools to prepare this salmon recipe at home? Shop my Amazon Affiliate Links for the products I love and use at home! Using these links won’t cost you extra and I’ll earn a small commission.
Soaking the Cedar Plank
The day before making this dish, you’ll need to prepare the cedar plank! I recommend soaking the cedar plank overnight in a sheet pan filled with water. Place a bowl filled with water on top as a weight to keep the plank submerged.
If you forgot to soak it overnight, soak it for at least 4 hours. This will help prevent the plank from catching fire on the grill.
Easy Garlic, Herb & Lemon Marinade
This grilled salmon recipe starts with an aromatic and delicious marinade made with garlic, herbs, and lemon. Here’s how to make it!
- Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool. Add the chopped fresh dill, mustard, salt, and pepper next.
- Use a garlic press or microplane for the garlic, and add to the butter. Zest the lemon first, then squeeze in the lemon juice. Finely chop the capers and add them to the bowl.
- Whisk everything together and set aside the spread.
Preparing the Salmon
Remove the salmon from its packaging, then use paper towels to pat the fish dry.
You can prepare this cedar plank salmon with or without the skin. I like to remove the skin, but this is just a personal preference.
The salmon can be grilled as one large fillet, or can be split into smaller filets or serving size pieces.
How to Make Cedar Plank Salmon
Here’s how to make this delicious grilled lemon salmon:
- Remove the cedar plank from the water and pat it dry. Place the salmon (whole fillet or smaller filets) onto the plank.
- Using a pastry brush, coat first the bottom of the salmon with the lemon and garlic spread. Turn the salmon side up and add a generous amount of the marinade on top.
Grilling Instructions for Cedar Plank Salmon
- Preheat your outdoor grill to 550F. If you’re using a smoker, preheat to the highest temperature, usually around 450F.
- Once the grill is hot, place the cedar plank into the center of the grill and close the lid.
- Grill for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon.
- Remove from the grill carefully using tongs and allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes.
Serving Grilled Salmon
Enjoy this delicious grilled salmon right away with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top. If you’re preparing the grilled asparagus, prepare that at the same time as the salmon.
You can also enjoy this lemon salmon with some of these delicious side dishes:
Easy Lemon Asparagus for Serving
You’ll love this super easy side dish for this grilled salmon.
- First wash the asparagus, then pat it dry and cut off the hard, fibrous ends.
- Lay the asparagus flat onto a tray or baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon zest.
- Grill the asparagus over medium heat/flame for 6 to 8 minutes, just until it’s tender and charred. Remove and keep warm on the side until ready to enjoy.
More Recipes!
Enjoyed this delicious salmon recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!
- Lemon Salmon Kabobs – great in the oven or on the grill!
- Teriyaki Salmon with Mango & Avocado Salsa
- Easy Salmon Salad with Egg & Avocado
Share it on Pinterest!
Garlic & Lemon Cedar Plank Salmon (video)
Ingredients
- 2 to 2 1/2 lbs salmon fillet
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 to 2 tsp sea salt
- ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed or grated
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice
- 1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
For Asparagus:
- 1 bundle asparagus, about 15 to 20 spears
- 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
- sea salt, to taste
- zest from 1 lemon
For Grilling:
- 1 to 2 cedar planks, pre-soaked
Instructions
Soaking Cedar Planks:
- The day before making this dish, you’ll need to prepare the cedar plank! I recommend soaking the cedar plank overnight in a sheet pan filled with water. Place a bowl filled with water on top as a weight to keep the plank submerged.
- If you forgot to soak it overnight, soak it for at least 4 hours. This will help prevent the plank from catching fire on the grill.
Preparing the Marinade:
- First, prepare the marinade. Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool. Add the chopped fresh dill, mustard, salt, and pepper next.
- Use a garlic press or microplane for the garlic and add to the butter. Zest the lemon first, then squeeze in the lemon juice. Finely chop the capers and add them to the bowl.
- Whisk everything together and set aside the spread.
Preparing the Salmon:
- Remove the salmon from its packaging, then use paper towels to pat the fish dry.
- You can prepare this cedar plank salmon with or without the skin. I like to remove the skin, but this is just a personal preference.
- The salmon can be grilled as one large fillet, or can be split into smaller filets or serving size pieces.
- Remove the cedar plank from the water and pat it dry. Place the salmon (whole fillet or smaller filets) onto the plank.
- Using a pastry brush, coat first the bottom of the salmon with the lemon and garlic spread. Turn the salmon side up and add a generous amount of the marinade on top.
Grilling Instructions:
- Preheat your outdoor grill to 550F. If you’re using a smoker, preheat to the highest temperature, usually around 450F.
- Once the grill is hot, place the cedar plank into the center of the grill and close the lid.
- Grill for 14 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon and if you’re using a smoker or grill.
- Remove from the grill carefully using tongs and allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
- Enjoy this delicious grilled salmon right away with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top. If you’re preparing grilled asparagus, prepare that at the same time as the salmon.
Grilled Asparagus:
- For Asparagus: First wash the asparagus, then pat it dry and cut off the hard, fibrous ends.
- Lay the asparagus flat onto a tray or baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon zest.
- Grill the asparagus over medium heat/flame for 6 to 8 minutes, just until it’s tender and charred. Remove and keep warm on the side until ready to enjoy.
Notes:
- Nutritional facts estimated for approximately 5 1/2 ounces of salmon without asparagus.
- Recipe updated 5/22/2023 and varies slightly from original video tutorial.
Absolutely delicious! Great recipe
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thanks for leaving a review!
Does butter sauce go on when cooking or just when serving? Directions do not mention sauce.
Hi Ron! You’ll want to add the butter spread onto the salmon before smoking. Sorry for the confusion! I’ve updated the recipe instructions to make it more clear. Enjoy!