Cedar Plank Grilled Sesame Salmon with Kimchi Miso Butter and Grilled Tomatoes.
Hmm, so I don’t know where to start today.
It’s one of those “feeling kind of chatty” days for me. I want to talk all about this salmon and how it was my first experience with using a cedar plank, how miso butter is possibly the best thing ever and how I am addicted to these sweet cherry tomatoes that I way overpaid for at the store.
I also want to tell you how Asher just told me that I should make doughnuts because I haven’t made those in a while. That girl – so much love for that little…but not so little anymore…girl.
And I have to tell you that our Saturday was BEAUTIFUL. I mean a little cold for me because I like it when it’s 90 degrees and humid outside (I know, I am completely in the wrong part of the country), but the 60+ degrees and sunshine was SO welcomed after months and months of cold snow and rain. Sunday was back to some clouds, but my one day of sunshine sure felt amazing. Sun and warmth, please, please come back soon. You make me smile 🙂
And this? Well, this is totally random, but I am currently having a very proud moment. Let me explain.
My brothers Kai and Red have a good friend, Blake. I have mentioned Blake a time or two around here, but today’s kind of different. Blake’s definitely like an adopted brother, he kind of just hangs with the family (he somehow made it on to my work trip to LA and San Diego last week too). Even though Kai is currently in Cleveland, Blake and Kai never seem to be apart for all that long.
So getting to the point here, Blake’s an awesome photographer. Like really good, and I swear if he ever gets into food photography I know I will be totally jealous of his shots…
After listening to him talk about photography for a good two hours on the plane ride back from CA, I realized how much he really is into it. Like so much so that he could probably make it into a career. Until this trip, I never knew he was so passionate about his photography. It was fun listening to him be so excited about something (other than snowboarding – cause you all know how crazy I am about that…right) he clearly loves. So I broke out the Jenny in me (AKA my mother, because this is something she’d totally do), I told him he should make a portfolio and start getting his photos up on Pinterest. Why have a boring job when you could have one you love?? He seemed really into, but to be honest, I never thought he’d actually get up and do it.
I mean, he’s a snowboarder and if you guys know anything about people in the snowboard industry then you know that most of them, work on well… I was going to say “Miller Time”, but that’s actually a bit harsh, they just take their time getting things accomplished. Of course there are definitely exceptions, that’s not meant to be mean or anything, it’s just what I have observed. But then again, I do sort of have a thing with the snowboard industry. Meaning, I semi-dislike it, but that’s a story for another random thought day.
But umm, you guys, Blake made a portfolio, and his site is amazing! It only took him all of one day to build too. Where was he when I was building this site?? ONE DAY?!?!? I mean come on.
Back to the point, so I feel semi-responsible for kicking Blake in the butt and getting him to get his photos up online. So clearly this means I am urging you all to take a look at his photos (and pin and share them too!).
Last bit of randomness, that kid named Malachi under the “people” tab, yup, he’s my brother. Yup, he could so be a model, and yup, I am totally jealous of his looks…aren’t the good looks supposed to go to the girls in the family?
OK and random chattiness ending now.
Oh but wait, I never even told you about my trip to Denver with my moma this weekend. Ugh. Tomorrow. I need to tell you about this salmon or it’s gonna kill me…and I am gonna lose you guys for good.
So this cedar plank grilled sesame salmon, like I said earlier, this was my first time using a cedar plank and it so will not be the last. I loved the flavor it gave the salmon, but even better, was that it made cooking the salmon on the grill so easy. I don’t know about you guys, but when I grill salmon, a lot of times when I take it off the grill it does not look nearly as pretty as I want it to. Granted, this is probably due to my poor grilling skills, but I am just saying the cedar plank makes things so easy.
The salmon has a killer sesame honey glaze and it gets topped with a Korean inspired miso butter. You guys, this butter? It’s life changing. I know that is dramatic, BUT I swear you will be putting this on all your grilled fish and seafood recipes this summer. It’s perfect for almost everything and makes fish and seafoood taste SO GOOD.
I made the kimchi part to the butter optional just because I can’t decide which way I like it better, with or without the kimchi, so I figured I’d just let you guys decide on your own. Either way is delicious!!
And then to round out the meal, I grilled up some heirloom cherry tomatoes because I really just cannot get enough of them. Prepare for a summer FULL of tomatoes!
Yes.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Cedar Plank Grilled Sesame Salmon with Kimchi Miso Butter and Grilled Tomatoes.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian, korean
Keyword: kimchi, miso, salmon, sesame salmon
The salmon has a killer sesame honey glaze and it gets topped with a Korean inspired miso butter.
Ingredients
Basil Kimchi Miso Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened, 8 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons yellow miso paste use 1 tablepoon for a less salty butter
- 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped kimchi * optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
Salmon
- 1 large cedar plank
- 1 pounds whole salmon fillet about 2 , skin removed
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Grilled Tomatoes
- 2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes or regular cherry tomatoes
- olive oil for drizzling
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
Miso Butter
-
Add the butter, miso, kimchi (if using) and basil to a bowl and mix until well combined. If not using right away, store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Salmon
-
Soak the cedar plank in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling, but 2-4 hours is ideal.
-
Meanwhile, whisk together 2 tablespoons honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, the ginger and garlic. Add the salmon to a ziplock bag or Pyrex pan and pour the marinade over the salmon. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
-
Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, about 350 degrees F.
-
Remove the salmon from the marinade and lay the whole salmon filet on top of the cedar plank, making sure none of the salmon is hanging off. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the cedar plank on the grill and cover the grill. Grill for about 12-15 minutes and check for doneness. The salmon is done when it's uniformly pink in the center.
-
Using a large spatula, remove the cedar plank salmon and transfer to a flat surface to rest.
-
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup honey, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sesame oil and the sesame seeds. Brush the salmon with the honey glaze, reserve any extra for serving.
Grilled Tomatoes
-
Make sure your grill is hot (it should already be on from cooking the salmon). Thread the tomatoes on skewers and rub with olive oil, salt + pepper. Place on the hot grill and grill for about 5 minutes, rotating the skewers every 2-3 minutes.
Serve
-
Dollop the salmon with the miso butter and serve alongside the grilled tomatoes. Garnish with fresh basil and sesame seeds. Serve with any remaining honey glaze
Recipe Notes
*Kimchi is a Korean condiment made up of pickled cabbage, garlic and other veggies. It can be found in most grocery stores in the produce sections. I found that that some kimchi's can be a bit overpowering, so if you are worried about too much garlic, just leave the kimchi out of the butter.
So dinner? This? It’s so simple and easy. DO IT.
Making this as soon as I get home for summer (my dad has a huge plank of untreated cedar or maybe applewood that he saws chunks off of for grilling things on)! I might have to make the miso butter first and try that on sourdough toast, though.
Oh wow, this looks good! You inspire me to try so many new things! (But not snowboarding!)
I just wish for once I could just pop over and eat the food at your house. My wife is leaning over my shoulder right now saying that those tomatoes looks absolutely ridiculously good on skewers. Great, another project for me to do as I am the grill man here =)
Tieghan, this one is up there with your best ever! I am so intrigued by the cedar plank too. Must try.
Oh, and you have a right to be proud for giving Blake a kick in the butt because he is incredible!
UMMM Miso butter and cedar plank Salmon goodness? That is EXACTLY what my face wants to be stuffed with on this lovely Monday morning! I am definitely agreeing on your “dinner” suggestion! Pinned!
Absolutely amazing, one of my favorite fishes so will definitely be trying your salmon recipe 🙂 Thanks
ummm, I need this salmon in my life…I am literally drooling over this at 7 AM!
Taylor
http://tspoonfulofsugar.com
Awesome dish, Tieghan. I can imagine the mouthwatering aromas as well as the taste. So, do you know anyone who is not uber talented like you? Not only is Blake’s photography brilliant, his website is stunning. If he decides he wants to design them for other people, please let me know. Cheers, Ardith
I haven’t made grilled plank salmon in so long!! Love this recipe!
I love cedar planks-makes almost everything better!
Agree! Thanks!! 🙂
OMG this looks so tasty!
Tieghan, I am definitely going to try this one! The flavors sound so good! I have never used a cedar plank, but now it’s on my list of things to try!
Hi Tieghan, I love salmon. I bake it and smoke it (a killer), rarely grill it for the same reasons you mentioned in your post. I thought about using grilling planks but never did. So, you are happy with the result, good to know. Miso butter sounds interesting. I planned to go to the local health food store, and I guess I have an additional item on my “to buy” list 😉 Blake’s photos are great, I just left a comment for him. It was nice of you to encourage him to build his site. But don’t belittle your photography skills. Your photos are AMAZING! I know all will readers agree with me. Have a great week!
I’m drooling! I love your combination of flavors with the salmon and am now inspired to try grilling using a cedar plank. Love the gorgeous photos!
This looks so so so so so good! Salmon is always a good idea. And I love the idea of this miso butter. Gotta try this asap!
♥Heather
I can’t eat fish but I do like the pictures of the tomatoes.
This looks fabulous! Wow.
This is a must try…If I can persuade mum to buy me the salmon ;D
Blake’s photography is brilliant. You made the right choice persuading him to make a website – thanks for sharing his awesomeness with us:)
You are A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E-L-Y right, miso butter is the best. and good luck to Blake, I will check out his portfolio 🙂
I so want this for dinner! Cedar plank salmon is the best and that miso butter sounds so good!
I think the best way to do salmon is simple and you made this stunning and not overly complicated. This PNW’er is totally smitten with this fish!
Although we use our barbecue at least 4 times a week at our house, I have never grilled on a cedar plank…based on this recipe, I think I have been missing out!! Will definitely have to get hold of one to try this salmon – looks absolutely incredible and I could totally imagine it just melting in your mouth – YUM!
This salmon looks so good. Like I am kicking myself for not getting salmon at the store this week. And I totally know what you mean about brothers getting the good looks…that totally happened in my family, too. Oh well. But this salmon…it’s like the supermodel of fish.
When we grill salmon, we most always use cedar planks. LOVE this recipe!
I love cedar plank salmon and this version looks amazing!
Love the miso butter!
This looks so pretty and super delicious!
This looks amazing! YUMMMMM!
– Choi Sulli –
https://happywheelsreview.com/
Thank you Choi!!
Was delicious, thank you!!
Question: it’s been two weeks ago since I made the recipe and I still have the miso butter, I kept it in the coolest spot of my fridge, it’s pretty much frozen since I put it there. Do you think I can use it still?
Hey Hanna! Yes, you can definitely still use the miso. Most miso paste will last 2-3 months in the fridge, but check the date on the package. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! This recipe looks awesome but I don’t have a grill and cedar plank available to me today but I’m craving these flavors. Will cooking this in a regular oven just ruin it? Thanks for your help!
Hey Amanda! Roasting the salmon in the oven works just as well. I do it often!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan