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I Finally Found Cedar Planks That Actually Made My Grilled Salmon Taste Restaurant-Level
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items If you've been grilling salmon on foil like I did for years and wondering why it never tastes like the cedar-planked fish at that one restaurant, this is everything I use now. Built this lineup after burning through cheap planks that split, bland sea...
Sections
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Cedar Grilling Planks That Don't Crack or Burn Too Fast
Salmon Rubs and Seasonings That Actually Complement the Smoke
Tools That Make Cedar Plank Grilling Way Less Stressful
Finishing Touches That Take Cedar Plank Salmon Over the Top
Cedar Grilling Planks That Don't Crack or Burn Too Fast
I ruined two dinners with dollar-store planks that literally caught fire and split in half. These are the ones that held up, smoked evenly, and didn't turn my salmon into charcoal.
Grab these before your next cookout. I soaked them 2 hours and they held smoke for a full 20 minutes without charring. My neighbor smelled it from across the yard and came over uninvited.
Camerons Grilling Planks - 12 Pack Cedar
Use these if you're the type who grills salmon every single weekend. Thicker cut than most, so they don't warp. Went through a whole summer and never had one crack on me.
Expert Grill 15 inch Cedar Grilling Planks 2 Pack
Toss one of these on medium heat and the smoke flavor is noticeable from the first bite. My wife, who usually picks at fish, ate the whole fillet. That's never happened before.
Expert Grill 15 inch Cedar Grilling Planks 2 Pack
Keep a stash of these in the pantry. They're pre-sized for single fillets, which means less waste. Soaked mine in apple juice once and the subtle sweetness was ridiculous.
Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Planks, 2.0 CT
Switch to these if your old planks always taste like burnt wood instead of actual cedar. The smoke is clean and mild. First time I used one, my dad asked if I took a cooking class.
Camerons Grilling Planks - 12 Pack Cedar
Salmon Rubs and Seasonings That Actually Complement the Smoke
Cedar smoke does a lot of heavy lifting, but the wrong seasoning will fight it. Took me about six bad batches to figure out what works together instead of against each other.
Sprinkle this on 15 minutes before grilling. It was literally designed for cedar plank cooking and you can tell. Subtle garlic and herb notes that let the smoke do its thing.
McCormick Gourmet Cedar Plank Salmon Seafood
Try this if you usually over-season your fish. Light touch, big payoff. Applied it dry before a plank grill session and my salmon tasted like something from a Pacific Northwest lodge.
Traeger Pellet Grills Fin & Feather Rub, Mixed Spices
Pair this with cedar salmon when you want a little heat. I know it says chicken, but trust me. The paprika and red pepper play perfectly with smoky wood. Discovered this by accident.
Weber Kick'n Chicken Seasoning, Gluten Free, 5 oz
Bring this out when you're cooking for friends who say they don't like fish. The sweet heat masks any fishiness and the cedar smoke rounds it all out. Converted three skeptics at one barbecue.
Spiceology Smoky Honey Habanero All Purpose Rub
Keep it simple when the cedar plank is fresh. Just this, a squeeze of lemon, and the smoke. Sometimes the best meals are the ones where you don't overthink it. Learned that the hard way.
Simply Organic Garlic Pepper, Certified Organic | 3.73 oz
Tools That Make Cedar Plank Grilling Way Less Stressful
First time I planked salmon I burned my hand pulling it off the grill with regular tongs. These tools fixed every clumsy mistake I kept making.
Use this instead of regular tongs. The wide flat head slides right under the fillet without breaking it apart. Before I had this, every piece of salmon looked like it went through a blender.
Stainless Steel Fish Turner Spatula for Kitchen Cooking
Ditch the sink method. This tray holds planks flat and submerged so they soak evenly. I used to weigh mine down with cans in the sink like some kind of mad scientist.
Cuisinart Grilling Large Prep and Serve Trays, 2 pack
Stick this in the thickest part and stop guessing. Hit 145 degrees and pull it. I overcooked salmon for a full year before buying a ten-dollar thermometer. Wish someone had told me sooner.
ThermoPro TP03BW Digital Instant Read Meat
Lay one under your plank if your grill grates are wide. Keeps the plank from falling through and catches drippings. Saved me from losing a beautiful fillet into the fire pit last July.
Kingsford Heavy Duty Disposable Grill Liners
Get your charcoal going fast and even so the plank hits consistent heat from the start. Uneven coals were why my first few attempts had one end raw and the other end jerky.
Rapidfire Chimney Starter - Weber Grills
Finishing Touches That Take Cedar Plank Salmon Over the Top
The plank and the rub do 90 percent of the work. These last few things are what made people start requesting my salmon specifically at every family gathering.
Swap your fancy aioli for a little tartar on the side. Something about the tang cutting through all that smoke just works. My kids drown their pieces in it and I'm honestly not mad about it.
Heinz Tartar Sauce - Walmart.ca
Toss a handful on top right when the salmon comes off the plank. The brininess pops against the sweet smoke. A friend from Italy showed me this trick and I've never gone back.
Capers in Sea Salt (Cento) 2 oz
Squeeze this over the fillet while it's still steaming on the plank. The acid brightens everything up. Forgot it once and the whole plate tasted flat. Now it's non-negotiable in my kitchen.
ReaLemon 100% Juice, Lemon, 15 fl oz, 1 Count
Drizzle a thin line across the salmon before seasoning. Keeps the surface from drying out on the plank and helps the rub stick. One small step that fixed the dry-fish problem I couldn't figure out.
Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 68 fl oz
Try a light dusting of this on top right before serving. The sesame and poppy seeds add crunch against the soft smoky fish. Started doing this in March and now every batch gets it.
365 by Whole Foods Everything Bagel Seasoning