Cedar Plank Salmon with Mango Salsa is a simple salmon dish elevated by a sweet and spicy rub and the subtle smoky flavor from a cedar plank. Topped with a fresh and bright mango salsa, this salmon is perfect for a warm summer night.

Cedar Plank Salmon

Cooking salmon on a cedar plank is a great way to get a subtle cedar smoked flavor into your fish without overpowering it with smoke. By planking your fish, it also helps it cook evenly on the grill, which can result in a more tender and moist finished result. It is one of my favorite salmon grilling methods by far.

This recipe is pretty simple, it just calls for a little thinking ahead. If you can do the prep in the morning by rubbing the salmon and soaking your cedar planks, by the time you get home in the evening you’re set for a super quick and easy weeknight dinner. You can grab cedar planks at most grocery stores or online HERE.

Cedar Planked Salmon on the Grill

The cedar plank, salsa, and rub in this salmon bring tons of flavor, and it’s all rounded out with the extra goodness from cooking this on a pellet grill. When grilling on a pellet grill at higher temps like in this recipe, you’re not going to get that pronounced smoky flavor, you’re just going to get this amazing subtle hint of wood smoke that is accented by the cedar planks.

If you don’t have a pellet grill, this recipe can be cooked on a gas grill as well. Scroll below to the recipe card for the video on making this tasty recipe on your gas grill!

To verify my claims of the amazing flavors in this cedar plant salmon, my 8-year-old daughter told me that this salmon is her favorite food out of anything I’ve ever made and she would pick this as her birthday meal. I would have probably picked cheese pizza as an 8-year-old, so I’m feeling pretty good about myself as a mother right now.

Cedar Plank Salmon Seasoning

The salmon rub is maybe (bold statement here) one of the best recipes that has ever come out of my brain. It’s this amazing blend of sweet and spicy with a smoky kick from the paprika, earthy notes from the basil, and a kiss of brightness from the lime zest. Basically, it is rub magic that is unbelievable on salmon. Topped with the ripe mangoes, roasted red peppers, and cilantro, you’re in for food nirvana.

You can access the full recipe post for this Sweet & Smoky Salmon Seasoning HERE. Here’s what you’ll need to make this seasoning:

• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• zest of 1 lime

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and use a fork to mix well and break up any clumps. Lightly press the seasoning on all sides of the salmon, then wrap your salmon tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.