Quick Summary: Salmon cubes marinated in lemon, garlic, and fresh thyme, then grilled on skewers with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and radicchio. Ready in 30 minutes and easy to cook indoors year-round. Naturally slow carb friendly. Prep: 10 min | Cook: 5 min | Serves: 4
Jump to: RECIPE | Guide for Making Kebabs | Best Veggies for Kebabs | Dipping Sauces for Kebabs | Indoor Cooking Method | FAQ
These salmon kebabs come together in about 30 minutes and work beautifully on an indoor grill when outdoor grilling isn’t practical.
The lemon herb marinade is bright and spicy, and the vegetables cook quickly alongside the fish. I change up the produce based on what’s in season, but the marinade stays the same.
Pair with a red pepper dipping sauce or Mexican crema for a complete meal.
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Guidelines for Cooking on Skewers
Here are a few “guidelines” that can make your kebab dinner successful and delicious.
- Stay in season. The best fruits and vegetables to eat, whether on a skewer or not, are fresh produce that is in season. Kebabs are often viewed as summer fare and summer is the season of abundance, so you will have a lot of choices. Don’t forget about the Spring asparagus, the Fall squash or the Winter Brussel sprouts however.
- Choose the rainbow. It is often said that people eat with their eyes, so be sure and include vegetables (or fruit) that show a range of colors. In the Summer I like something green (like zucchini), something red (like cherry tomatoes) and something yellow (like lemons).
- Firmness: The other thing to be aware of is whether the fruit or vegetable you choose is firm enough to stay on the skewer. Some fruits are so soft that they quickly fall off, and can get a little too mushy. Some leafy vegetables can work as long as you fold them over enough times to make them a “pad” that the skewer can pierce.
- Match cooking rates. If you are using pork or beef as your protein of choice, you can go with firmer vegetables (think carrots or brussel sprouts). If you are using salmon or seafood, it only takes about 5 minutes to cook so you want to opt for softer produce. Don’t get overwhelmed with cooking rates however. Most grilled produce is great even if slightly undercooked. Just know that seafood doesn’t take much time. If you are really concerned add just one type of veggies per skewer and then everything will cook at the same rate.
- Modify the sauce (or fruit) if you are on a specific diet. Practically any reputable diet includes vegetables as a compliant food. Some diets (like keto) exclude fruit. Where most kebab dishes might have a problem would be in the marinating sauce. The recipe below is oil, lemon, herbs and spice. If you are following a recipe with a different marinade, watch out for the sugar.
There is a huge range of vegetables (and fruits) that can be placed on skewers and grilled as kebabs. the recipe below is made with salmon and veggies, but this pork kebab with red pepper dipping sauce, is another favorite.
Best Vegetables for Fish Kebabs
Here are a few options that I gravitate toward when thinking of what to pair with the proteins on the kebabs:
Spring or Summer Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Cherry tomatoes
- Zucchini or summer squash
- Lemons or limes
- Radicchio or endive
- Purple onions
- Bell peppers or hot peppers
Fall or Winter Vegetables + Pineapple
- Sweet potatoes
- Fingerling potatoes
- Roasted peppers (in a jar)
- Citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit)
- Pineapple
- Purple onions
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
Dipping Sauces to Pair with Salmon Kebabs
Just as there is a plethora of vegetables that go with salmon kebabs (or any other protein), there is also a wide range of dipping sauces that can take kebabs to the next level.
My favorite summer dips include a Mexican Crema dip or a red pepper Serbian dip known as Ajvar. Both of these are included in the notes section of the recipe below.
How to Cook Kebabs Indoors
Using an Indoor Grill
If you have an indoor grill you simply thread the kebabs and cook for 3-5 minutes per side. I have a Cuisinart Griddler that has been my go-to indoor grill for ages. I absolutely love it. It has an upper and lower plate so that you are grilling both sides at once.
It makes for very quick dinners and you have the benefit of those great grill marks. Here’s the details on how to use the Griddler. I’m sure something like a George Foreman grill would work as well.
Using a Broiler
Heat oven broiler to high. Arrange salmon skewers on a large baking sheet (use parchment paper for easy cleanup) and place about 5 to 6 inches below broiler.
Cook on one side for 4 to 5 minutes, turn over and cook another 4 minute or so or until fish is opaque throughout.
How to Make Salmon Kebabs with Lemon Marinade
- Whisk olive oil with lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh thyme, fish spice blend, and salt.
- Cut salmon into 2-inch cubes and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Thread salmon and vegetables onto skewers and grill on high for about 5 minutes until fish is opaque.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.
More Salmon Recipes
I cook salmon and seafood a lot and I’m always looking at ways to enhance flavors. Seafood can often be quite bland. Below are a few of the seafood dishes that we have enjoyed:
FAQ
Yes. Salmon, vegetables, olive oil, and lemon are all compliant. Watch the dipping sauce ingredients if you’re strict about added sugars.
Any firm, meaty fish works: halibut, swordfish, mahi-mahi, or tuna. Avoid flaky fish like tilapia, which falls apart on skewers.
Yes. Grill over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, turning once. Fish cooks quickly, so watch carefully.
Cut vegetables into similar-size pieces as the fish. Softer vegetables like cherry tomatoes cook at the same rate as salmon. For firmer vegetables, parboil first or use separate skewers
Ajvar is a Serbian roasted red pepper and eggplant spread. It makes an excellent dipping sauce for grilled fish and kebabs. The recipe is in the notes section of the recipe card.
Seafood and fish are an integral part of the Pesco Mediterranean Diet. This article will fill you in on the details of the Pesco Mediterranean Diet to see if it might be something you want to try.
Slow Carb Kebabs with Lemon Marinade
Equipment
- Skewers
- mortar and pestle optional
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fish filet I used salmon, but any meaty fish will work; cut into 2” cubes
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 lemons 1 is zested and then juiced, 1 is sliced and halved for the skewer
- 2-3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 teaspoon fish spice blend alternative: old bay, mild or spicy chile pepper spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 small zucchini sliced into 1” rounds
- 1 small Radicchio or endive; torn and folded into thick squares for the skewer
Instructions
- Cut the filet into 2” cubes, leaving the skin on. Turn on the indoor grill to high or turn on the broiler to high to preheat.1 1/2 pounds fish filet
- Add the oil to a large bowl and use a microplane to zest a lemon into the bowl. Juice the lemon and add to the bowl1/3 cup olive oil, 2 lemons
- If you have one, use a mortar and pestle to grind together the thyme leaves, garlic, spice blend and salt. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, just smash them all together with the back of the knife. Smashing will bring out the oils from the thyme leaves and add more flavor. When done add to the bowl of oil and lemon and mix together2-3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, 2-3 cloves garlic, 1-2 teaspoon fish spice blend, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add fish cubes to the bowl to marinate for 15-20 minutes. While it is marinating, prep the vegetables that you plan to use on the skewer by cutting or slicing into bite size pieces12 cherry tomatoes, 1 small zucchini, 1 small Radicchio
- Thread salmon cubes and vegetables on the skewers, alternating ingredients as you please. Place the skewers on the grill or under the broiler for about 5 minutes. It does not take long for fish and the more delicate veggies to cook. Don’t overcook.
- Serve with rice or cauliflower rice and your favorite dipping sauce (see notes below for two good recipes).
Notes
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Roast and then peel and seed 5 red bell peppers and 1 eggplant
- Puree peppers and eggplant together with:
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 tablespoonwhite vinegar
- 1/2 tsp hot chile pepper powder
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
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