Sweet n' Smoky Cedar Planked Salmon Filets

What's up guys?

Just wanted to share how I do up my salmon filets on the grill. I've been tweaking this recipe for a while, and I friggin love it...

This is written up in the order I do things... It works out about right to have the Q, plank, and filet all ready at about the same time.

1) Get your cedar plank soaking in water. About 1 hr before you plan to put the fish on the grill.

2) Also about 1 hr before grill time... Wet down the filet with soy sauce and rub with plenty of brown sugar, a pinch of cayenne pepper, pinch of garlic powder, and a little coarse ground black pepper. I also sprinkle the filet with sesame seeds for an extra little crunch. I cover that up and put it in the fridge until about 20 minute before grilling, when I take it out and put it on the counter.

2) Start your coals. Use real lump style hardwood, and start it without lighter fluid. Stay away from the chemical-tasting "briquettes" and lighter fluid mess...

3) Once the coals are going nicely, put your cedar plank on there for about 5 minutes. Then flip the plank (it should be a little toasted, but not fully charred).

4) Lay your filet on the plank right after you flip it, and cook until done (flaky). I like to keep the BBQ lid on, and keep the vents mostly closed. This helps give it that delicious smoky flavor.

That's about it.

 If you try it, let me know what you think!

Cheers,

-Alex

Sounds pretty good. Interesting with the sesame seeds. I do pretty much the same thing, but a little more basic. Salt, brown sugar, cayenne, black pepper. oak coals and Adler to smoke. I pretty much barbecue or hot smoke in my smoker if I want it done in an hour. Otherwise it takes a bit more time.

Thanks for sharing your recipe.

Sounds killer, gonna have to give it a shot.  My contractor buddy is doing a custom cedar ceiling right now so I'll have a few hundred planks/end pieces to experiment with. 

Sounds pretty good. Interesting with the sesame seeds. I do pretty much the same thing, but a little more basic. Salt, brown sugar, cayenne, black pepper. oak coals and Adler to smoke. I pretty much barbecue or hot smoke in my smoker if I want it done in an hour. Otherwise it takes a bit more time.

Thanks for sharing your recipe.

Sounds like a pretty similar recipe, just my saltiness comes from the soy sauce instead of salt.  I vary the smokiness (and cook time) by either choking the coals so they cool off and smoke more, or letting them breath.

Making me hungry just thinking about it...

I didn't have any planks around, but had to give this one a shot.  Started with a 4lb brown, filleted & trimmed, soy sauce bath, brown sugar rub, a dash of cayenne, some black pepper, grilled it over mesquite lump charcoal and a few chunks of soaked alder for smoky-goodness.  BEST. TROUT. EVER!!!