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Low Carb Salmon Kebabs in Lemon Herb Marinade

Low Carb Salmon Kebabs in Lemon Herb Marinade
Home » Recipes by Ingredients » Vegetables » How to cook on Skewers

These robustly flavored salmon skewers (or kebabs) are ready to eat in 30 minutes and can be cooked indoors for year-round enjoyment. If you keep the spicy, lemon-herbal marinade but change up the vegetables, you can have an easy low carb dish for any season.

Salmon kebabs with mushrooms, peppersand zucchini.
Salmon kebabs with mushrooms, peppersand zucchini.

Jump to: RECIPE | Best Veggies for Kebabs | Dipping Sauces for Kebabs | Indoor Cooking Method

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Guidelines for Cooking on Skewers

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, or this kebab with a mustard-rosemary baste are two of my other favorites. If you like things a bit more spicy, try these Mexican kebabs.

There are a few “guidelines” however that can help make your kebab dinner successful and delicious.

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Vegetables that Work Well on Skewers

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
Infographic showing low carb vegetables
Infographic showing low carb vegetables

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.

Salmon vegetable kebabs with a side dish of red pepper dipping sauce.
Salmon kebabs with red pepper dipping sauce

Although I have not made it, this Sesame Tahini Dipping Sauce and Sriracha Mayo from a fellow food blogger looks really good.

Indoor Cooking Methods

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.

Other Low Carb Salmon Dishes

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:

Grilled Mexican salmon with fresh salsa
Grilled Mexican salmon with fresh salsa

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.

Low Carb Salmon Kebabs

Salmon and vegetable kebabs with ajvar dipping sauce
How to select vegetables for kebabs and cook kebabs indoors.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 268

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds salmon filet cut into 2” cubes
  • 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 torn and folded into thick squares for the skewer

Instructions
 

  • Cut the salmon 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 salmon 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 bowl
    1/3 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 together
    2-3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, 2-3 cloves garlic, 1-2 teaspoon fish spice blend, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Add salmon 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 pieces
    12 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 salmon and veggies to cook. Don’t overcook.
  • Serve with rice or cauliflower rice and your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

For Mexican crema dipping sauce stir or blend together:
  • 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
For Ajvar dipping sauce:
  • 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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Nutrition

Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 35gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 674mgPotassium: 1147mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 434IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
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There are some wonderful coaches and the testimonials will tell you what you need to know.  Contact me at [email protected] to get a referral to some of the tested, experienced online coaches on Coach.me.

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