Smoked Cedar-Planked Lake Cisco with Maple Glaze
Tender smoked lake cisco fillets glazed with a sweet and smoky maple sauce, highlighting the moist texture and omega-3 richness of the fish. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 200 minutes pairs maple syrup, applewood chips, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 fillets (about 6 oz each) lake cisco fillets
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups applewood chips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 soaked cedar planks (about 6x12 inches each) cedar planks
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 2 cedar planks in water for at least 2 hours to prevent burning during smoking.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp olive oil until smooth; set aside.
- Step 3: Pat dry 4 lake cisco fillets (about 6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of applewood chips to generate smoke.
- Step 5: Place soaked cedar planks on the smoker grates and let them start to smolder for about 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Arrange the fish fillets on the cedar planks and brush each fillet generously with half of the maple glaze.
- Step 7: Smoke the fish for 45-50 minutes at 225°F, brushing with the remaining glaze every 15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 8: Remove the fish from smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, capturing the sweet smokiness and moist texture of the lake cisco.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Cedar-Planked Lake Cisco with Maple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (150 min prep + 50 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 Lake Cisco with Maple Glaze?
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 maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Cedar-Planked Lake Cisco with Maple Glaze?
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 Lake Cisco with Maple Glaze 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 Lake Cisco with Maple Glaze?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
