Cedar-Planked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Wild Onion Compote
Smoke-infused salmon served atop a sweet-savory compote of foraged wild onions and wild rice, honoring Alaskan Native cooking techniques with accessible ingredients. This alaskan-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs finely diced fresh wild onions, uncooked wild rice, apple cider for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 oz each (2 fillets) Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets
- 1 cup, finely diced fresh wild onions
- 1/2 cup, uncooked wild rice
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1: Simmer wild rice in 1 cup water for 35 minutes until tender; drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add wild onions, and cook for 8-10 minutes until caramelized and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in apple cider and simmer for 5 minutes until syrupy, then remove from heat and mix in 1/4 cup cooked wild rice.
- Step 4: Place salmon on a soaked cedar plank; drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with lemon zest and 1 tbsp dill.
- Step 5: Grill plank over medium heat for 12-15 minutes until salmon reaches 125°F (52°C) internally, then top with remaining dill and compote.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cedar-Planked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Wild Onion Compote take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (30 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cedar-Planked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Wild Onion Compote?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked wild rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cedar-Planked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Wild Onion Compote?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cedar-Planked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Wild Onion Compote for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cedar-Planked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Wild Onion Compote?
Alaskan seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.