Cedar Planked Salmon Cooked in the CrockPot



Day 338.

I bought a cedar board a while ago, and planned on using it in the summer, but never got around to it. This is a fun way to cook fish in the crockpot---it's different, and the cedar provides a hint of smokey and woodsy flavor to the fish. My kids love fish, and each ate a bunch, which thrilled me so much we got frozen yogurt for dessert.

The Ingredients.

--1 singe-use cedar plank, cut to size
--1 lb salmon
--2 limes
--1 tsp cumin
--1 tsp salt
--1 tsp garlic powder
--1 tsp rosemary
--1 tsp onion powder
--1 T honey

The Directions.

Have your amazing husband (or other handy-type person not scared of saws) cut the cedar plank to size. He cut the board to fit the 6 quart crockpot, but it fit in the 4 quart, too.

Soak the plank in water for at least an hour.

While it is soaking, combine the dry spices in a bowl. Rub the salmon on all sides with the spice rub, and then drizzle on the honey. Top with slices from 2 limes, and slide it all into a plastic storage bag. Refrigerate while the board is soaking---at least one hour, but overnight in the refrigerator is fine.

When the time has passed, put the wet cedar plank into the bottom of your crockpot. Put the salmon (with the lime slices) directly on the board.

If you are using a great-big-huge crockpot, put a sheet of foil over the salmon and scrunch it down to create a smaller area for the steam and heat.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. Check the salmon---it should flake easily with a fork. If it doesn't, cook on low for an additional 30 minutes and check again.

The Verdict.

Moist, delicious fish. I've cooked fish in the crock numerous times now, and each and every time I'm blown away at how easy it is and how the fish remains moist and flaky---without a hint of fish smell in the house.

The cedar plank was fun, and it certainly is dramatic to serve the fish that way, but if you don't have one, the fish will be just as good wrapped in a foil packet.

other crockpot fish recipes:
foil packet tilapia
fillet of sole with pesto
salmon with a sweet and spicy rub
lemon and dill salmon with spinach

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Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at December 03, 2008

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What they say about this article

  1. I never thought to use my crock pot to cook fish. This recipe looks amazing! I may need to try it even before I find a cedar plank!

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  2. Can you use frozen fish for the foil recipes?

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  3. That sounds delicious! (I have never cooked anything with a cedar plank, though... am I the only one who has never heard of this?) But whatever, my hubby loves fish, so I have to try it! :) Thank you!

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  4. oh man... I LOVE salmon! I bet that was delicious!!! What a neat idea to use the plank in the crock!!

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  5. That sounds delish!!!
    My favorite way to cook salmon is in a foil packet, with lemon slices and a glaze of butter and soy sauce. Yummy, and so so simple!!

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  6. This sounds soooo good! Does this have to be done with a single use plank (which I have never seen) or can you use the ones at Camping World, which are ment to last?

    Blessings, Beth Ann

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  7. Cindi, crockpotting fish is wonderful---I'm so happy to not have the fish smell or a dirty stove-top; and no butter!

    Melowedy, sure. It will take longer to cook, but will work just fine.

    Susan, I've seen the planks before and have seen them used on Food Network, but this is the first time we've used them at home.

    Carrie, it was good!

    SmrfChic, I love the sound of your marinade, yum!

    Beth Ann, I got the single-use ones at the grocery store. Yes, a reusable one would work just fine, and be more cost-effective. You'll need to have somebody trim it to size, though.

    xox
    steph

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  8. This might be my new favorite salmon recipe. I will have to try it right away (since I made salmon just last night!)

    If you are interested in a great way to incorporate salmon into a pasta dish, let me know! The dish I made last night is to die for!! I don't have a crockpot adaptation, but that's your specialty!

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  9. Sounds like dinner on Friday! I'm suprised cooking fish in the crock pot doesn't stink up the whole house. But you are the expert so I won't be afraid to try this recipe!

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  10. Anonymous12/03/2008

    Hi,
    Your year is coming to an end. I've enjoyed following along. Your site has given me some good ideas.

    Coleen

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  11. Wow! Your recipies never cease to amaze me! Thanks for all the great ideas.

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  12. I've been wondering if you'll be attempting a ham for Christmas in the crockpot??? :D

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  13. Hi Thais,

    I don't know. I'm allergic to pork, so thus far the site doesn't have any pork on it (although you can look for the pork link in the left sidebar for a bunch of reader recipes). If I come up with an opportunity to make ham in the crock before Christmas to share with friends and other family, then I will. Otherwise, I'm going to hold off on the pork and just prepare food that I (and the kids) can eat.

    xxo
    steph

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  14. That salmon is gorgeous. I can't wait to try fish in the crockpot!

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  15. Oh, yum! What a great idea. I just discovered your blog and it's fantastic! I ignore my crockpot way too much. but now...? Hm.

    maddie

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  16. Anonymous12/03/2008

    Oh, this sounds absolutely amaaaaaaazing. I love your blog, Stephanie!!

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  17. Thais, I did a crockpot ham using a recipe I found here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Ham/Detail.aspx but cut back the amount of the 2nd ingredient quite a bit.
    My husband asked why I was doing the ham in the CP and not the oven and gave me a look of disdain, but he seemed to enjoy it. I loved that the bone fell out and I had my oven available to do other things. Plus the mess was very well contained.

    Thanks for this idea salmon recipe Steph, I may have to try it very soon. Like others, it never occurred to me to cook fish in the CP either.

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  18. LOVE your BLOG!! You've recieved a BLOG award from my BLOG!! HAVE FUN!!! XOXO Noelle

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  19. Great idea! I've cooked Salmon on a cedar plank before, but that was on the gas grill. I'll have to try it in the Crock Pot.

    If you are looking to save some $$ on the cedar board, you can buy an untreated Cedar board at Lowe's or Home Depot, and they will cut the board into pieces for free. I bought an 8 foot board for under $20, and got 8 different planks cut from it at the store.

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  20. Hi, my friend just told me about your site... I'm so happy! I have alot of days to catch up on all your great ideas. Thanks for sharing them!

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  21. wow, just found your site. we use cedar planks with salmon all year round (in Canada) on the bbq!! I'll have to discuss this with hubby and give it a shot! thanks!

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  22. I love my crockpot but I've never cooked fish in it before. Thanks for the idea!

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  23. Wow, I make my husband cook fish outside because I can't stand how it smells up the house and I just plain can't stand to eat fish anyway !

    I might surprise him with this recipe...no muss, no fuss, no smell...I love it !

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  24. That looks amazing!!!! I just may have to try this. Like others have said, I never thought about cooking fish in the crockpot!!

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  25. My husband will be thrilled to know a cedar plank can be used in the crockpot! He's the chef around here and has been looking for an excuse to buy a plank, since we have no grill.

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  26. Anonymous12/06/2008

    Wow! This sounds so good! I had found some good recipes for seafood in the crockpot http://www.squidoo.com/CrockpotSeafood here but never saw this idea! I'll be back often!
    Debbie

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  27. Anonymous2/12/2009

    Very easy. Seasonings were good. I did use the foil to create a roof, but didn't monitor/check the fish, and 2 hours on high for 1.3 lbs of salmon left it dry in my crockpot. Next try I'll decrease the cooking time and it should be great.

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  28. Anonymous8/10/2011

    Phenomenal idea of using a slow cooker for fish. I never thought of it. Read this while at work and had to try it. almost cut my thumb off with a reciprocating saw when cutting the cedar plank (they had those at the grocery store right next to the salmon :)). Ddidn't bother marinading in the fridge; just layered fresh dill, sliced limes and cajun seasoning on the salmon).

    Tom

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  29. Sounds yummy! Can you cook this on low for 2 hrs and then have it sit on warm for say 6 hrs or would that cook the fist to much? I am at work all day and set my crock pot before leaving in the morning?

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