Cedar Plank Salmon Garlic Dill (Printer View)

Salmon fillets grilled on cedar planks with garlic, dill, and lemon for a flavorful, summery main dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 skin-on salmon fillets (6 ounces each)

→ Marinade & Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
06 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
07 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For Grilling

08 - 2 untreated, food-safe cedar planks (12 x 6 inches)
09 - Lemon slices, for garnish

# Method:

01 - Submerge cedar planks in cold water for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 2 hours, using a weight to ensure complete immersion.
02 - Combine olive oil, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
03 - Dry salmon fillets thoroughly with paper towels. Brush both sides with the marinade, reserving a portion for basting during grilling.
04 - Heat grill to medium-high (400°F). Position soaked cedar planks on the grates, close lid, and preheat for 2 minutes until planks begin to smoke slightly.
05 - Arrange salmon fillets, skin-side down, atop the cedar planks. Close lid and grill for 12–15 minutes, basting once with reserved marinade, until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
06 - Remove salmon from grill. Garnish with additional dill and lemon slices. Serve promptly while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cedar planks add a smoky aroma you just can&apost get in the oven—it's like secret summer magic.
  • The garlic and dill bring brightness to the rich salmon, and you don&apost need to fuss over side dishes.
02 -
  • Once I tried grilling without soaking the plank enough—it caught fire and I lost half the salmon to the flames.
  • Basting during grilling kept the fillets juicy, and skipping it meant dry edges every time.
03 -
  • Position the planks over indirect heat—they last longer and infuse more flavor before the wood chars.
  • Adding fresh dill directly on the plank creates pockets of aroma that drift through the air and into the fish.
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