Smoked Cedar-Planked Cisco with Herb Butter
Moist smoked cisco fish cooked on a cedar plank, topped with a fragrant herb butter that enhances its natural richness. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 90 minutes pairs kosher salt, black pepper, softened unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2, cleaned and gutted (about 1 lb each) whole cisco fish
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1, soaked in water for 1 hour cedar plank
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 whole cleaned cisco fish and season inside and out with 1 tbsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, mix 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until well combined.
- Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and place the soaked cedar plank on the grill grates to heat for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Place the seasoned cisco fish on the cedar plank and spread half of the herb butter inside each fish cavity.
- Step 5: Smoke the fish on the cedar plank for 1 hour or until the flesh flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Step 6: Remove from smoker and serve the fish with the remaining herb butter dolloped on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Cedar-Planked Cisco with Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (30 min prep + 60 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 Smoked Cedar-Planked Cisco 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 kosher salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Cedar-Planked Cisco 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 Smoked Cedar-Planked Cisco 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 Smoked Cedar-Planked Cisco with Herb Butter?
American 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.
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