Grilled Sausage with Burst Campari Tomatoes and Polenta
Grilled hot and sweet Italian sausage served with burst Campari tomatoes, smoky grilled eggplant, and creamy polenta. A simple Italian-inspired comfort food dinner packed with flavor.
Cedar Plank Salmon with Maple Mustard Glaze
Some meals feel like a lot of work. Others make you look like you know exactly what you're doing.
Cedar plank salmon falls into the second category.
A plank, a piece of salmon, a quick glaze, and fifteen minutes on the grill. That's it. The cedar adds a subtle smoky aroma, the maple mustard glaze caramelizes into a glossy coating, and the lemon brightens everything at the end.
It's the kind of meal that tastes like summer evenings, open windows, and eating outside while the grill cools down.
Why Cedar Plank Salmon Works
Cooking salmon on a cedar plank does two things.
First, it protects the fish from direct heat, making it harder to overcook.
Second, as the plank heats up, it releases aromatic cedar smoke that gently perfumes the salmon without overwhelming it.
The result is moist, flaky fish with a subtle wood-fired flavor that feels special without requiring any special skills.
Ingredients
- 1 cedar plank, soaked in water for 1 hour
- 1 large salmon fillet (about 1½–2 pounds)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Maple Mustard Glaze
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon horseradish mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For Finishing
- Thin lemon slices
- Fresh lemon wedges
How to Make Cedar Plank Salmon
1. Soak the Cedar Plank
Place the cedar plank in water and soak for at least one hour.
2. Season the Salmon
Pat the salmon dry.
Season generously with salt and black pepper.
3. Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, combine:
- Maple syrup
- Horseradish mustard
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic powder
Brush the mixture evenly over the salmon.
Arrange thin lemon slices across the top.
4. Grill
Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 375–400°F.
Place the soaked plank on the grill for a minute or two.
Set the salmon on the plank and close the lid.
Cook for 15 minutes.
The salmon should flake easily with a fork and remain juicy in the center. The glaze will darken slightly, and the lemon slices will pick up a little char around the edges.
5. Finish
Remove the salmon from the grill.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and let the fish rest for five minutes before serving.
What to Serve with Cedar Plank Salmon
This salmon pairs beautifully with:
- White beans dressed with olive oil and herbs
- Farro salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Grilled asparagus
- Roasted potatoes
- A simple green salad
Or do what I often do and build dinner around whatever vegetables are already hanging around in the refrigerator.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite things about cooking is finding dishes that deliver far more than the effort required.
This cedar plank salmon is one of those recipes.
Fifteen minutes on the grill. A simple maple mustard glaze. A squeeze of lemon.
The cedar does most of the work.
Sometimes the best meals are the ones that remind us that simple ingredients, treated well, are enough.
Know what's enough. Build what matters.
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