Spicy Cedar Plank Jerk Salmon

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  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 2 hr 30 min
  • Active: 50 min
  • Yield: 6 servings
Spicy, smoky and just a little sweet, this grilled cedar plank salmon is packed with bold flavor. The jerk marinade brings warmth and complexity, while the cedar plank lends the fish a woodsy smokiness. Rich, meaty salmon is the perfect match for these assertive flavors. Don’t skip the grilled pineapple salsa — it adds a juicy freshness that complements the jerk seasoning and brings the whole dish together.

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

For the Salsa:

Directions

  1. Place 3 medium (5-by-11-inch) or 6 small (5-by-7-inch) cedar grilling planks in a large baking dish and cover with water. Place a weight on top to keep them submerged and soak for at least 2 hours before grilling.
  2. Prepare the salmon: Season the salmon fillets all over with salt and pepper and place skin-side down in a baking dish. Let sit while you make the marinade.
  3. Combine the scallions, garlic, ginger, thyme and 1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, olive oil, allspice and lime zest and juice; process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and add more Scotch bonnet, if desired. Spread the marinade all over the top and sides of the salmon fillets. Cover and marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  4. About 1/2 hour before you’re ready to grill the salmon, preheat a grill to medium-high. Make the salsa: Drizzle the pineapple rings with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until marked, about 1 minute per side. Reduce the grill heat to medium.
  5. Dice the grilled pineapple and combine with the red onion, 1/4 minced Scotch bonnet, the cilantro, lime juice, ginger and allspice in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and stir. Taste and add more Scotch bonnet, if desired.
  6. Place the soaked planks on the grill grates and close the lid. (Have a spray bottle of water nearby in case the planks catch fire at the edges.) When the planks start to smoke and char, 3 to 5 minutes, flip them and place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the charred sides. Spoon any leftover marinade from the dish on top of the fillets.
  7. Close the grill again and cook until the salmon is lightly browned, 9 to 13 minutes for medium doneness; check the planks periodically for flare-ups. Transfer to a platter or serve on the planks with the pineapple salsa.