Cedar-Planked Salmon with Herb Butter
Salmon roasted on aromatic cedar planks with a garlic-herb butter finish, featuring smoky wood notes and bright citrus accents. This pacific northwest-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets, thinly sliced lemon, chopped dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets
- 2 (1/4-inch thick), soaked 2 hours cedar planks
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped dill
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 4 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place soaked cedar planks on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Arrange salmon fillets skin-side down on planks, season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Top each fillet with 1/4 of the lemon slices, then dot with 1 tbsp herb butter mixture (mix 2 tbsp butter with dill, thyme, and garlic).
- Step 3: Roast salmon on planks for 18-20 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F internal temperature.
- Step 4: Remove salmon from planks and serve immediately with extra herb butter spooned over top, garnished with additional fresh dill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cedar-Planked Salmon with Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (30 min prep + 20 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 Salmon with Herb Butter?
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 thinly sliced lemon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cedar-Planked Salmon with Herb Butter?
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 Salmon with Herb Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Salmon with Herb Butter?
Pacific Northwest 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
