Garlic Parmesan Crusted Salmon on a Cedar Plank

Grilled garlic Parmesan crusted salmon on a cedar plank is one of those meals that just scream ‘weekend’. The cedar plank adds this subtle woodsy note that’s just fantastic, and the crust? Oh man, the crust!

Once you have started cooking on cedar planks, it becomes a game-changer! It infuses the mild cedar flavor into food and leaves you feeling like you are sitting in the middle of the woods.

I know that sounds like a stretch, but try it, and let me know if you don’t feel like you are nestled in a forest eating off of a cedar plank!

And really, there’s not much to it. Just a few simple rules to follow for perfect flaky fish every single time.

🛒 Ingredients

✔️Salmon Filets – I usually buy large filets at Costco and then slice them into one inch steaks for placing on the cedar planks. This is small enough where it cooks quickly, but large enough where I can add two to a plank.

✔️Panko – I prefer this over breadcrumbs as it stays crispier longer. This adds to the texture and final presentation of the salmon.

✔️Parmesan – Do yourself a favor and grab a whole block of parmesan to grate yourself. The shredded parmesan you find in a bag will often include fillers.

✔️Parsley – Use a large kitchen knife to chop for the crust.

🔥 Grilling Instructions

👉Step 1: Let’s get started. Always start off by soaking your planks for at least one hour.

👉Step 2: Heat up the grill up to 350°F on direct heat.

👉Step 3: While the grill is heating up, combine the parmesan, panko, garlic, parsley and lemon zest in a bowl. 

👉Step 4: Place salmon filets on the cedar planks, add it to the grill and cook for 10 minutes. 

👉Step 5: After 10 minutes, cover the salmon with the parmesan crust mixture and grill an additional 10-15 minutes. Remove when it reaches 145°F and let it rest for 5-10 minute before serving. 

Let us know how you like it!

💡 Cedar Plank Grilling Tips

❓How To Soak Cedar Planks For Grilling

✔️Soak the cedar planks for 1-2 hours prior to placing it on the grill. This helps the cedar plank to not catch on fire while you grill. It will still char heavily on the bottom but it won’t turn into a fire hazard. 🔥🚒

✔️I soak them in a container where they can be fully immersed and weigh them down with a heavy bowl or pan. 

✔️For a more intense taste, add the cedar plank on your grill first for 5-7 minutes and then place your salmon it. It is not necessary, but give it a shot if you are looking for extra flavor. 

🐟Other Cedar Plank Fish Recipes

Grilling on cedar planks works for any fish. We also grilled a fragrant lemon rosemary halibut on a cedar plank and this bourbon-glazed Chilean sea bass and they turned out fantastic!

I also plan on using them to make grilled jerk swordfish and grilled shark steaks. I’ll let you know how it goes if you also share your cedar plank experiments with me. Let’s geek out a bit in the comments section!