Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or simply craving a gourmet seafood dish, these Easy Lemon Salmon Kabobs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser and impress your guests. Tender salmon is marinated in olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, threaded on skewers and then either grilled or air fried to perfection. You will love this easy, light and filling summer seafood recipe!
EASY LEMON SALMON KABOBS
These salmon kabobs are so easy to make and the perfect light summer meal.
The marinade mixes together lemon juice, garlic and olive oil to create a simple marinade that adds a ton of flavor.
In the summer months I love using citrus in recipes for that zesty, citrus flavor. I cooked this salmon in the air fryer but you could also easily make it on the grill or bake it in the oven.
The air fryer is a great way to make salmon because the inside remains tender while the outside gets crispy.
Salmon is a type of fish that my kids will eat and I know that it is healthy for them. We rotate between these Easy Lemon Salmon Kabobs, Air Fryer Salmon Bites, this Mediterranean Salmon Bowl, Hawaiian Grilled Salmon, Pan Seared Greek Salmon or this Mediterranean Salmon.
When I make these Salmon Kabobs I love pairing them with this Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, No Mayo Potato Salad, Mediterranean Bean Salad or this Lemon Arugula Salad.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
EASY TO MAKE – you don’t need to marinade the salmon pieces for too long to bring this flavorful dish to life.
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – Simple ingredients done well make a tasty meal and you will be please to know you don’t need a huge pile of ingredients for this kabob recipe.
KID-FRIENDLY – The citrus flavors are fresh and subtle, making this a great meal for the family and a great way to introduce your kids to seafood.
A delicious summer recipe – Perfect for al fresco dining and enjoying as a light meal.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THIS SALMON KABOBS RECIPE:
SOCKEYE SALMON FILET
LEMON JUICE
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
DRIED OREGANO
GARLIC
SALT
BLACK PEPPER
LEMONS
HOW TO MAKE SALMON KABOBS
Now that you have all your ingredients to hand it is time to make the simple and tasty salmon skewers.
PREPARE THE KABOBS: The first thing you need to do is prepare the kabobs. You can start with the wooden skewers or bamboo skewers if using, by soaking them for 30 minutes before starting the prep for this recipe.
This is important so they won’t burn in the air fryer. At this stage you can preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
MARINATE THE SALMON: Now it is time to prepare the salmon. Slice the wild sockeye salmon fillet into small cubes. You will want to get the pieces at 1-2 inches in thickness.
In a large bowl whisk together marinade ingredients: the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Place the salmon cubes in the marinade and toss to coat everything. You can leave it for a few minutes if you wish.
ASSEMBLE THE KABOBS: Thread salmon cubes onto the wooden skewers, alternating with the lemon slices.
Then with the remaining marinade, brush the salmon and lemon slices.
COOK THE SALMON IN THE AIR FRYER: Place the skewers into the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 5 – 7 minutes. You will want to flip the salmon kabobs half way through cooking. Serve with your chosen side and lemon wedges.
RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS
While I try and provide step-by-step instructions with the method, often there are recipe notes and tips that help you make the most out of the recipe. Here are some of the essential tips and tricks to help you make these tasty citrus salmon kabobs.
- This recipe will work best with fresh salmon filet, but check out the FAQs later in this post with some advice on frozen salmon.
- When you cut the piece of salmon keep the salmon cubes evenly in size. This encourages even cooking of the chunks of salmon.
- You can use wild caught or farm raised salmon. I try to find the best quality salmon and tend to go for wild caught when I can.
- You don’t need to use an air fryer for this recipe. You can cook them on a charcoal grill, outdoor grill, indoor grill pan or bake them in the oven.
- If you wish, you can customize the seasoning and marinade to suit your tastes buds. Add more or less of the herbs and spices.
- You can cut the skin off the salmon if you wish. This is really down to personal preference. If you do leave the salmon skin on, then make sure it is skin down first for cooking purposes. This will crisp up the salmon skin.
WAYS TO MODIFY THE SALMON KABOBS
Many recipes have substitutions and variations that help you customize your salmon recipe.
Things you can add or little changes to make it more suitable. So here are some of the best variations you might want to consider:
- Why not try a different type of fish for this recipe? You could use halibut or cod as a great alternative.
- If you can’t get hold of lemon juice or you would like an alternative citrus flavor then lime is a great substitution for the lemon. You also can add lemon zest or lime zest for more flavor.
- You could add fresh vegetables to the salmon kabobs if you wish. Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red onion or red bell peppers will work very well with the flavors and cook well in the air fryer.
- You could also use other flavors in the marinade like soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and honey for a touch of savory and sweet.
- Fresh herbs are a great addition to any quick marinade or even as a garnish for after you make the kabobs. I like parsley, green onion, cilantro, chives and mint.
CAN I USE FROZEN SALMON FILET FOR THIS RECIPE?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon fillet as an alternative. You can’t cook from frozen so make sure it is completely thawed before cutting it into cubes and marinating.
HOW DO I KNOW THE SALMON IS DONE COOKING?
You will know the salmon kebabs are cooked when the appearance of the salmon pieces goes opaque and flakes easily. It should have an internal temperature of 145°F.
WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THE AIR FRYER CITRUS SALMON SKEWERS?
You can serve the salmon skewers with a side of roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, or rice pilaf. I have suggested a couple of options earlier on in this post. Salads are perfect for this recipe but you could also make up some noodles or a potato side dish to make it a more substantial meal.
WHAT DO THE SALMON KABOBS TASTE LIKE?
Salmon does have a more subtle fish flavor than some of the other seafood options. It is perfect for families. The citrus flavors are fresh and the air fryer gives a crispy exterior keeping the salmon moist and creates a flaky salmon.
OTHER SEAFOOD RECIPES YOU WILL LIKE:
MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP SKEWERS
EASY CRAB CAKES
AIR FRYER COD
MEDITERRANEAN TUNA CAKES
TROPICAL TUNA STUFFED AVOCADO
BLACK SEA BASS
Easy Lemon Salmon Kabobs
Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or simply craving a gourmet seafood dish, these Easy Lemon Salmon Kabobs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser and impress your guests. Tender salmon is marinated in olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, threaded on skewers and then either grilled or air fried to perfection. You will love this easy, light and filling summer seafood recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 - 14-ounce wild sockeye salmon fillet, cut into cubes approximately 1-inch to 1-½ inch in size
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsps. olive oil
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- 4 lemons {you will use lemon slices from 3 lemons on the skewers}
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for serving
Instructions
- If you are using wooden skewers, soak them for 30 minutes before beginning this recipe. This is so they will not burn in the air fryer.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Slice the wild sockeye salmon fillet into small cubes, about 1- 1 1/2 inches in thickness.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the salmon cubes in the marinade and toss to coat evenly.
- You can marinade the salmon in the fridge for up to 30 minutes but you don't have to. It does help infuse more flavor.
- Thread the salmon cubes onto the wooden skewers, alternating with lemon slices.
- Brush the remaining marinade over the salmon skewers.
- Place the skewers in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 5 - 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork and until the internal temperature is 145°F.
Notes
Use fresh salmon fillet for best results
Keep the salmon cubes uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can grill the salmon skewers on a barbecue or bake them in the oven.
Feel free to customize the seasoning to your liking by adding more or less of the herbs and spices in the marinade.
