BBQ Kebab Recipes: Fish Edition
Fish kebabs are a light and flavorful option for your BBQ, offering the perfect combination of tender fish and smoky char. Whether you're using firm white fish, salmon, or even seafood like shrimp, fish kebabs are easy to prepare and cook quickly on the grill. Here are some fantastic fish-inspired BBQ kebab recipes that will have everyone at your BBQ coming back for seconds!
➡ BBQ Salmon Kebab Recipe
Salmon is a rich and flavorful fish that’s perfect for grilling. When paired with vegetables, these kebabs make for a hearty and healthy BBQ option.
Ingredients:
2 salmon fillets (cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 red bell pepper (cut into chunks)
1 yellow bell pepper (cut into chunks)
1 red onion (cut into wedges)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Toss the salmon cubes and vegetables in the marinade and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated salmon and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
5. Grill the kebabs for 3-4 minutes per side, until the salmon is cooked through and slightly charred.
6. Serve with a side of rice pilaf or a light salad.
➡ BBQ Shrimp and Zucchini Kebab Recipe
Shrimp cook quickly and take on a delightful smoky flavor when grilled. Paired with zucchini, these kebabs are both fresh and flavorful.
Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
2 zucchinis (cut into rounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
2. Toss the shrimp and zucchini in the marinade and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the shrimp and zucchini onto the skewers.
5. Grill the kebabs for 2-3 minutes per side, until the shrimp is pink and cooked through, and the zucchini is slightly charred.
6. Serve with couscous or quinoa for a complete meal.
➡ BBQ White Fish and Pineapple Kebab Recipe
The sweetness of grilled pineapple complements the delicate flavor of white fish like tilapia or cod, making these kebabs a tropical delight.
Ingredients:
2 white fish fillets (tilapia or cod, cut into 1-inch cubes)
1/2 fresh pineapple (cut into chunks)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Toss the fish cubes and pineapple in the marinade and let sit for 20 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated fish and pineapple chunks onto the skewers.
5. Grill the kebabs for 3-4 minutes per side, until the fish is cooked through and slightly charred.
6. Serve with a side of rice or grilled vegetables.
➡ BBQ Tuna and Veggie Kebab Recipe
Tuna’s meaty texture makes it ideal for grilling, and it pairs wonderfully with colorful veggies like bell peppers and onions for a filling kebab.
Ingredients:
2 tuna steaks (cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 red bell pepper (cut into chunks)
1 yellow bell pepper (cut into chunks)
1 onion (cut into wedges)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Toss the tuna cubes and vegetables in the marinade and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated tuna and vegetables onto the skewers.
5. Grill the kebabs for 2-3 minutes per side, until the tuna is cooked to your preferred level (it should still be slightly pink in the middle).
6. Serve with a side of grilled corn or a light salad.
➡ BBQ Salmon and Asparagus Kebab Recipe
Salmon and asparagus are a match made in grilling heaven. The tender salmon and charred asparagus make for a simple yet elegant BBQ dish.
Ingredients:
2 salmon fillets (cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 bunch asparagus (cut into 2-inch pieces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Toss the salmon and asparagus in the marinade and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the salmon cubes and asparagus onto the skewers.
5. Grill the kebabs for 3-4 minutes per side, until the salmon is cooked through and the asparagus is slightly charred.
6. Serve with roasted potatoes or a fresh citrus salad.
Fish kebabs are a healthy, tasty, and easy-to-make BBQ option. Whether you choose salmon, shrimp, tuna, or a delicate white fish, these recipes offer a variety of flavors and combinations to suit your grilling needs. Try them out at your next BBQ for a light yet satisfying meal everyone will enjoy!
Will the fish fall off the skewer?
Great question! Yes, fish can sometimes be delicate and prone to falling apart on the skewers, especially if it’s flaky or tender.
Here are a few tips to help prevent that but not guaranteed at all!:
1. Use Firm Fish: Choose fish with a firmer texture like shrimp, tuna, salmon, swordfish, or cod. These hold up better on the grill compared to flakier fish like tilapia or haddock.
2. Cube the Fish Correctly: Cut the fish into slightly larger chunks (about 1-inch cubes) to help it stay intact during grilling. Smaller pieces are more likely to break apart.
3. Pre-Skewer the Veggies: Skewer the vegetables (like peppers or onions) first, then alternate the fish between them. This will help the fish stay more secure, as it’s sandwiched between the sturdier veggies.
4. Use Two Skewers: For extra support, try using two skewers parallel to each other for the fish. This way, the fish is more stable, and it’s less likely to slide or fall off.
5. Grill on Medium Heat: Grilling on medium heat rather than high heat allows for a more controlled cooking process. This helps the fish cook evenly without burning or falling apart too quickly.
6. Oil the Skewers and Fish: Lightly oil the skewers and the fish to prevent sticking. This also helps with grilling the fish without it sticking and potentially falling apart when you flip it.
By following these tips, you'll have a much better chance of keeping your fish perfectly intact on the skewers during grilling!
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Tender fish like tuna and salmon can be very tricky on skewers due to their tendency to fall apart.
Shrimp, sardines, lobster tail pieces, scallops, squid (calamari), and mussels, however, are all excellent options for grilling on skewers.
These seafood choices hold up much better on the grill and bring fantastic flavor to your kebabs. Here’s why they work so well:
➡ Shrimp
Shrimp is firm and easy to skewer. Plus, it cooks quickly, so it’s perfect for a kebab-style meal. It also absorbs marinades beautifully, making it a crowd-pleaser.
➡ Sardines
Whole sardines can be grilled directly on skewers or in foil, and they maintain their integrity. They’re packed with flavor and are a great option for a smoky grilled taste.
➡ Lobster Tail Pieces
Lobster tail is incredibly tender but holds up well when cut into chunks for skewering. It's rich, buttery, and perfect for a slightly indulgent BBQ seafood kebab.
➡ Scallops
Scallops are sweet, tender, and firm enough for grilling. Skewering them allows for even cooking, and their subtle flavor is enhanced by a good marinade.
➡ Calamari (Squid)
Squid is a fantastic choice for skewers! It’s naturally sturdy, and when grilled, it develops a delicious, slightly smoky flavor. Just be careful not to overcook it, as it can get tough quickly!
➡ Mussels
Mussels can be placed on skewers, though they’re often better when steamed in a foil packet on the grill or added to a skewer with other seafood. They open up beautifully when cooked and have a delicate, briny taste. You can even cook them first and BBQ them a little bit after.
Although they may fall apart as depending whether they are co packed enough on the skewers helping to hold them together.
Tips for Grilling Seafood on Skewers:
1. Use two skewers: This helps prevent delicate seafood from spinning around on a single skewer and makes flipping easier.
2. Marinate seafood: A simple marinade of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs can elevate the flavors.
3. Grill at medium heat: Seafood cooks quickly, so grilling over medium heat ensures it cooks evenly without drying out.
4. Pre-soak wooden skewers: If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
With these options, your BBQ seafood skewers will be a hit and free of any falling-apart disasters!
