Perfectly Planked Fish Recipes

Gadgets may come and go, but we think grill planks are here to stay. Grilling on a soaked wood plank imparts a delicate smokiness to grilled fish recipes, keeps food moist, and is so simple that even a first-timer can plank successfully. Choose alder, cedar, or oak planks, which give off a mild aroma that pairs well with seafood, and remember to allow time for planks to soak in water. Check out The Pleasures of Planking for helpful hints.

Watch Plank-Cooking Fish Demo

Press on a flavorful crust of cracked peppercorns before placing the tuna steak on an oak plank. Char one side of plank, then flip and place the fish on the darkened, smoke-infused wood for an extra boost of flavor.

Recipe: Oak-Planked Peppercorn Tuna Steaks with Orange Mayonnaise

Cedar has a deeply aromatic flavor that pairs well with sweet seasonings like the orange-maple glaze on these salmon steaks. To make the most of its woodsy appeal, serve this dish with a nice barrel-aged Chardonnay.

Recipe: Cedar Plank-Grilled Salmon with Avocado-Orange Salsa

If you can get your hands on a filleted side of salmon, this is the recipe to choose. After a quick dip in a soy marinade rounded out with honey, ginger, and lemon, the salmon is grilled over indirect heat. Keeping it on a plank is one way to ensure that this large cut of fish stays extra-moist.

Recipe: Alder-Planked Salmon in an Asian-Style Marinade

The festive topping of chopped dill and cranberries makes this the perfect recipe to serve to guests. Bake it in the oven, as suggested in the recipe, or cook in a covered grill over high heat.

Recipe: Alder-roasted Salmon with Dill and Cranberries

Cedar is the most common choice when planking salmon. The simple combination of sweet brown sugar, dried thyme leaves, and cayenne pepper in this rub only heightens that perfect rustic flavor.

Recipe: Cedar-Plank Salmon

Top simple cedar-grilled fillets with a bright combination of lemon, dill, and parsley, then pair with a green salad for a meal that's pure summer on a plate.

Recipe: Lemon-Grilled Salmon