Cedar is a popular choice for smoking foods, especially seafood like salmon. Cedar wood imparts a unique flavor profile to the food, with its distinct aromatic and smoky notes. The natural oils and compounds in cedar wood infuse the food with a subtle sweetness and woodsy flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
Cedar planks are also commonly used for grilling or smoking fish, imparting a delicious, delicate smokiness to the seafood. It’s important to note that cedar should be used in moderation and with caution, as excessive use may overpower the flavors of the food.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of smoking foods with cedar wood, how to prepare it, other woods to pair with cedar, along with foods you can smoke with cedar.
Reasons To Smoke Foods With Cedar Wood
Cedar wood offers several benefits for smoking foods:
- Aromatic Flavor: Cedar wood has a distinct aroma that infuses the food with a pleasant, woodsy fragrance. It adds a unique flavor profile that enhances the taste of the food.
- Subtle Sweetness: Cedar wood has natural oils that lend a subtle sweetness to the food. It can complement a variety of dishes, especially seafood like salmon.
- Moisture Retention: Cedar planks help to retain moisture in the food during the smoking process. This results in a juicy and tender texture, particularly beneficial for lean meats and fish.
- Easy to Use: Cedar planks are convenient and easy to use. They provide a simple method for adding smoky flavors to your dishes without the need for complex smoking equipment.
- Visual Appeal: Using cedar planks for smoking can also enhance the visual appeal of the food. The charred lines and natural wood grain of the cedar impart an attractive presentation to grilled or smoked dishes.
- Natural and Chemical-Free: Cedar is a natural wood that does not require any additional chemicals or additives. This makes it a healthier option compared to artificial smoking agents or flavorings.
- Versatility: While commonly used for seafood, cedar can also complement other meats, vegetables, and even fruits. It offers versatility in experimenting with different flavors and combinations.
It’s important to note that cedar should be sourced from food-safe and untreated sources to ensure the best quality and safety when using it for smoking foods.
Foods That Smoke Well With Cedar Wood
Cedar wood is particularly well-suited for smoking certain foods, adding its distinct flavor and aroma. Here are some foods that smoke well with cedar wood:
- Salmon: Cedar-planked salmon is a classic and popular dish. The smoky, sweet flavors of cedar complement the rich, fatty nature of salmon, resulting in a delicious and aromatic seafood dish.
- Trout: Similar to salmon, cedar planks can be used to smoke trout, enhancing its natural flavors while imparting a subtle cedar aroma.
- Shrimp: Cedar wood adds a delightful smoky flavor to shrimp, making it a great option for grilling or smoking. The wood’s aromatic qualities enhance the taste of the shrimp, creating a unique and delicious dish.
- Chicken: Cedar planks can be used to smoke chicken, infusing it with a smoky and slightly sweet flavor. The wood helps to retain moisture, resulting in tender and flavorful chicken.
- Vegetables: Cedar planks can also be used to smoke vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, and mushrooms. The smoky notes from the cedar wood enhance the natural flavors of the vegetables, creating a tasty and aromatic side dish.
- Cheese: Cedar wood can be used to cold smoke cheeses, adding a subtle smokiness and depth of flavor to the cheese. It works particularly well with milder cheeses like brie or camembert.
- Fruits: Cedar wood can also be used to smoke fruits like peaches or pineapple, adding a unique twist to their natural sweetness. The smoky flavors combine beautifully with the natural sugars of the fruits.
When using cedar wood for smoking, ensure the wood is food-safe and free from any chemicals or treatments. Soaking the cedar planks before smoking helps to prevent them from burning and allows for better smoke release. Experiment with different ingredients and flavors to discover your favorite combinations.
And speaking of burning, cedar is commonly used as firewood and other woodburning applications.
How To Prepare Cedar Wood For Smoking
You can often find commercially made bags of cedar chunks that are already prepared for smoking. If you have cedar wood that you want to smoke, you have a bit of work to do which we’ll discuss below.
To prepare cedar wood for smoking, follow these steps:
- Choose food-grade cedar: Make sure to select cedar wood specifically labeled as food-grade or suitable for culinary use. Avoid using treated or chemically treated cedar, as these can be harmful.
- Soak the cedar wood: Submerge the cedar planks in water for at least 1-2 hours, or even overnight. Soaking helps prevent the wood from burning too quickly and allows it to release more smoke.
- Preheat the grill or smoker: Preheat your grill or smoker to the desired temperature for smoking your food. Cedar planks are often used for indirect grilling or smoking.
- Place the cedar on the grill: Remove the cedar planks from the water and shake off any excess moisture. Place them directly on the grill grates or use a metal plank holder to keep them elevated.
- Let the cedar heat up: Close the lid of the grill and let the cedar planks heat up for a few minutes. This helps to create smoke and release the aromatic flavors of the cedar.
- Add the food: Once the cedar planks are heated, place your food directly on top of the planks. For example, you can lay salmon fillets, chicken breasts, or vegetables on the cedar.
- Cook with indirect heat: Cook the food with indirect heat by keeping the burners or heat source on one side and placing the cedar planks on the opposite side. This allows the food to cook slowly and absorb the flavors from the cedar.
- Monitor the cooking process: Keep an eye on the cooking time and temperature to ensure the food is properly cooked. Cooking times may vary depending on the specific recipe and the thickness of the food.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the food is cooked to your desired doneness, carefully remove it from the cedar planks and serve. The smoky flavors and aromas from the cedar wood will have infused into the food, enhancing its taste.
Remember to follow proper safety precautions when using cedar planks for smoking, such as keeping a fire extinguisher nearby and maintaining a safe cooking environment. Enjoy the unique flavors and aromas that cedar wood brings to your smoked dishes.
Woods That Pair Well With Cedar For Smoking Foods
Cedar wood has a distinct flavor that pairs well with certain types of foods. Here are some woods that can complement cedar when used for smoking food:
- Alder: Alder wood has a mild and slightly sweet flavor that complements the natural aromas of cedar. It is often used in combination with cedar when smoking fish, such as salmon.
- Maple: Maple wood offers a sweet and delicate flavor that can complement the smokiness of cedar. It works well with a variety of meats, including poultry and pork.
- Cherry: Cherry wood adds a subtle fruity and slightly sweet flavor that can enhance the taste of cedar-smoked foods. It pairs well with both poultry and red meats.
- Apple: Apple wood provides a mild and sweet flavor that can enhance the natural sweetness of cedar. It works particularly well with pork and poultry, adding a hint of fruity sweetness.
- Hickory: Hickory wood offers a strong and robust smoky flavor that can add depth to cedar-smoked dishes. It pairs well with red meats and can provide a rich and bold flavor profile.
- Mesquite: Mesquite wood has a strong and distinctive flavor that can complement the smokiness of cedar. It is often used with beef and game meats, adding a robust and earthy taste.
When combining woods for smoking, it’s important to find a balance and consider the intensity of flavors. Experimenting with different wood combinations can help you achieve unique and delicious results.
Final Thoughts
Cedar wood is a popular choice for smoking foods due to its unique qualities. It imparts a distinct smoky and aromatic flavor that adds depth to dishes. The scent of cedar smoke creates an enjoyable and inviting atmosphere. Cedar is widely available and easily accessible, making it convenient for smoking. Its natural oils and density make it easy to ignite and maintain a consistent temperature, making it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced smokers.
Overall, cedar enhances the overall taste and presentation of smoked foods, making it a great option for culinary enthusiasts.