Cedar-plank salmon on the grill: a Pacific Northwest classic, with a brown sugar and paprika rub on salmon fillets that cook on soaked cedar planks until the wood smokes, for 8. It's a homegate, because the Lumen Field guide says tailgating is "not permitted anywhere on Lumen Field property," so this one gets grilled at home before you ride in. About 1 hour of plank soaking, then about 30 minutes at the grill.
Feeds: 8 · Hands-on: about 30 min · Total: about 1 hour 30 min, most of it soaking the planks
Home gear: a sheet pan or sink deep enough to soak the planks, something heavy to hold them under, a spray bottle of water and a heat-proof tray for serving
Pack for the lot
- Salmon, sealed, at the bottom of the cooler on ice
- Planks, soaked, in a trash bag so they stay wet
- Rub jar and olive oil
- Lemons and dill
- Spray bottle of water
- Instant-read thermometer
- Long tongs, a fish spatula and heat-proof gloves
- A heat-proof tray for the hot planks
- Plates, forks and napkins
Lot notes
- The Lumen Field rule: the guide says tailgating is "not permitted anywhere on Lumen Field property," the North Lot and garage included. Can you grill nearby? Per the guide, "Private lots nearby set their own rules, so ask the operator before you bring a grill." That's why this is a homegate. Cook before you leave, then ride Link and leave the grill at home.
- Fuel: a gas or charcoal grill both work at home. Keep the lid closed so the planks smoke instead of burn.
- Holding cold: raw salmon stays at 40°F or below until it hits the grill. Keep it in its own container, away from anything ready to eat.
- Leftovers: cooked salmon that sits out past 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F, gets tossed. Chill anything left inside that window and eat it cold the next day.
- Cleanup: soak the used planks in water before they go in the trash. A plank can smolder for a while after it leaves the grill.
Can you make cedar-plank salmon ahead?
Partly. Soak the planks and mix the rub the day before. The salmon is best grilled right before you eat, though you can rub it up to 4 hours ahead and keep it cold.
How do you keep salmon cold before it hits the grill?
Pack it in a sealed container at the bottom of a cooler, under plenty of ice, at 40°F or below. Pull it out only once the planks are smoking.
How much salmon for 20 people?
Plan on 10 lb of salmon, cut into 20 pieces of about 8 oz, and 10 planks at 2 pieces per plank. Make 2½ times the rub. Most grills hold 4 or 5 planks, so cook in 2 rounds.
Can you grill at Lumen Field?
No. The guide says tailgating isn't permitted anywhere on Lumen Field property, and you can't grill on stadium property. Private lots nearby set their own rules, so ask the operator before you bring a grill, or cook at home.
Do you have to soak cedar planks?
Yes. A dry plank catches fire instead of smoking. Soak it at least 1 hour, and keep a spray bottle handy for the edges.