Grilled Cedar Plank Brie

This appetizer is guaranteed to produce ooh's and ahh's.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
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Updated June 20, 2023
Micah Siva
Cedar Plank Grilled Brie Topped With Black Berries and a Sprig of Thyme, and on the Plank Next to the Brie, Slices of Baguette

Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

There’s more to grilling season than hot dogs and burgers, so fire up the grill and make a smoky grilled brie, an unexpected but satisfying appetizer that’s an elevated twist on the traditional baked brie. Here it’s served with a sweet and sour blackberry thyme topping and crispy grilled baguette slices.

Using cedar planks to impart flavor in cooking isn’t new. I grew up craving my dad’s cedar plank salmon, with a sweet smokiness that was cooked to perfection. It wasn’t summer without the smell of cedar smoke coming out of the backyard. Little did I know that there are countless ways to use cedar planks in cooking, well beyond salmon.

Where to Buy Cedar Planks

You can find cedar planks for grilling in specialty grocery shops, but you can also try lower cost spots like Home Depot or Amazon, making cedar planking an accessible way to impart flavor into dishes. If buying from a hardware store, be sure the wood is not treated with any special coating. 

Picnic Table Setting: Cedar Plank Grilled Brie Topped With Black Berries and a Sprig of Thyme, on the Plank Next to the Brie, Slices of Baguette, and on the Table, Two Glasses of Water and Sprigs of More Thyme

Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

Why Soak the Planks?

Don’t skip soaking your cedar planks for at least 30 minutes. The thicker the plank, the longer it needs to soak. Without pre-soaking, the wood will catch fire, char, and burn before it has the chance to smoke whatever you are cooking.

Pre-Grilling the Plank

When using cedar planks, I like to pre-grill the soaked planks for a few minutes on each side. This helps start the process of smoking, for a richer, deeper flavor. Without this simple step, you may find the smoky flavor too subtle. Because brie is so rich, I find that this extra step helps to permeate the smoky flavor into the cheese, without tasting like you are biting into an ashy piece of brie.

How to Serve

Brie is a buttery, soft cow’s milk cheese that is covered in an edible rind. When baked, the center becomes irresistibly runny, creamy, and is great spread onto just about anything, but I like to serve it with a grilled baguette for maximum surface area. Once heated, you’ll have about 20 to 30 minutes to enjoy it before it starts to harden, so don’t be shy, and dig in! If needed, reheat the brie in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.

Cedar Plank Grilled Brie Topped With Black Berries and a Sprig of Thyme, and on the Plank Next to the Brie, Slices of Baguette

Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions

  • Instead of the blackberries, use your favorite seasonal berries, but make sure the pieces are small enough to easily scoop onto your baguette!
  • In a pinch? Top the brie with 1/3 cup fig preserves, thyme, and a sprinkle of chopped almonds.
  • Serve on toasted sourdough, topped with arugula for a light lunch.

More Easy Apps to Grill

Grilled Cedar Plank Brie

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Soak Time 30 mins
Total Time 70 mins
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) wheel brie cheese

  • 1/2 cup fresh blackberries, halved

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

  • 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the grilled baguette

  • 1 loaf baguette

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Method

  1. Soak the cedar plank:

    Soak the cedar plank in water for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to to 2 hours. 

    Tip

    I like to place the cedar plank on a rimmed baking sheet and cover with water, weighing it down with cans to keep it submerged.

    Cedar Plank Soaking in a Water Filled Baking Pan With Two Cans Holdings the Plank Down

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  2. Prepare the baguette slices:

    Slice the baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces. Brush both sides with olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt. Set aside.

  3. Prepare the blackberry topping:

    In a medium bowl, combine the blackberries, honey, balsamic vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

    Bowl of Honey, Halved Blackberries, Fresh Thyme, and Seasoning for Cedar Plank Grilled Brie

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  4. Heat the grill:

    Preheat a grill for indirect grilling.

    Using a gas grill: Light the burners on one side, and set to medium heat. Keep the other side off.

    Using a charcoal grill: Light the coals. Once the coals are covered with white ash, spread them over half of the grill. 

    Once the temperature reaches 350°F, the grill is ready to use.

  5. Pre-cook the plank:

    Place the plank on the grill over direct heat for 3 minutes over the heat, flip, and cook the opposite side for an additional 3 minutes. It will start smoking, and start to blacken on the edges. 

    While the plank is cooking, add the baguette slices to the grill over indirect heat (the side opposite the coals/flames). Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden. Set aside.

    Cedar Plank Toasting on the Grill

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
    Cedar Plank Flipped on the Grill

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
    Sliced Baguette Added to Grill Next to Cedar Plank

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  6. Cook the brie:

    Place the brie on top of the plank over direct heat. Spoon the blackberry topping on top. Close the grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the brie is warmed through. To test, gently poke the brie, it should feel somewhat liquid-y inside, it should not be firm to touch. If it’s still firm, continue cooking until the brie softens.

    Brie Added to Toasted Cedar Plank and Topped With Blackberry Topping

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
    Circle of Brie Topped With Halved Blackberries on a Cedar Plank on the Grill

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
  7. Serve: 

    Serve immediately, directly from the plank. Once heated, you’ll have about 20 to 30 minutes to enjoy it before it starts to harden. If needed, reheat the brie in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Indoor Table Setting: Cedar Plank Grilled Brie Topped With Black Berries and Sprigs of Thyme, Slices of Baguette on the Plank Next to the Brie, and on the Table, Two Glasses of Water, Bowl of Blackberries, a Plate With Slices of Baguette Topped With Brie and Blackberries, and a Kitchen Linen

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
332 Calories
18g Fat
29g Carbs
13g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 332
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 24%
Saturated Fat 8g 39%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 837mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 3mg 14%
Calcium 100mg 8%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 140mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.