Whole 30 Whole30 Cedar Plank Salmon
Cedar plank salmon is one of those meals that feels genuinely special without requiring a culinary degree — and this version delivers on every level. The plank slowly smolders on the grill, infusing each fillet with a subtle woodsy smokiness that you simply cannot replicate in a pan. A blend of smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder forms a savory crust on the flesh side, while a bright finish of fresh lemon juice, parsley, and dill keeps things clean and vibrant. Every single ingredient here is compliant with the Whole30 framework — no sneaky sweeteners, no soy-based sauces, no off-limits additives hiding in a marinade bottle. That's actually one of the trickier parts of grilling salmon at home: so many store-bought rubs and glazes contain sugar or other ingredients that would derail a reset. This recipe sidesteps all of that with a straightforward spice mix and a quick herb drizzle you whisk together yourself in minutes. Serves four, and it's the kind of dinner that looks impressive enough to put on the table for guests without anyone suspecting it's also doing serious nutritional work.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the plank
- 1 cedar plank (12–15 inches), soaked in water for at least 1 hour
For the salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on, pin bones removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the lemon-herb drizzle
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Submerge the cedar plank in water and weight it down with a heavy object so it stays fully submerged. Soak for at least 1 hour (up to 2 hours) before grilling.
- 2
In a small bowl, stir together the smoked paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until combined.
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