These Mediterranean Salmon Kabobs are not only quick and healthy, but they're packed with flavor, require only a few ingredients, and are perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering.
Salmon kabobs are one of our favorite ways to enjoy a healthy and tasty meal!
Salmon is a great choice for kabobs because it cooks quickly, holds its shape well on skewers, and pairs beautifully with just about any vegetable.
I love adding zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions because they complement the rich taste of the salmon.
The marinade, made of olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic, and salt, is incredibly simple but packs a punch in terms of flavor.
Making these kabobs is incredibly straightforward too. With just a little prep, you can have these skewers ready for baking in no time.
They take about 15 minutes in the oven, so it’s a quick dinner option that still feels like a treat. You could easily make this meal for a family dinner or even serve them at a casual gathering.
Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a healthy addition to any meal, so I try to include it in our weekly meal plan whenever I can!
We love serving them with Spicy Air Fryer Potato Wedges or Hasselback Fingerling Potatoes, plus some veggies like Melted Leeks, Buttered Cabbage or Easy Roasted Beets. They're also great with a dipping sauce like Basil Aioli or Greek Tzatziki Sauce.
If you also love seafood, then be sure to also try Teriyaki Microwave Salmon Parcels, Smoked Salmon Pasta, Garlic Butter Boiled Scallops and Air Fryer Tuna Steak!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy: With just 15 minutes of baking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy: Full of lean protein from the salmon and fresh vegetables, this dish is a nutritious choice for any meal.
Customizable: You can easily swap out the veggies or adjust the marinade to suit your preferences.
No Special Equipment: This recipe requires no fancy kitchen gadgets—just basic skewers and a baking dish.
Flavor-Packed: The simple marinade brings out the best in the salmon, giving you a delicious, flavorful dish without a ton of effort.
Ingredients
- Salmon - You'll need salmon fillets for these kabobs. If using frozen, please defrost first. You'll also need to remove the skin, then cut it into chunky cubes.
- Zucchini - leave the skin on and cut it into slices.
- Red Bell Pepper - another Mediterranean vegetable, cut into squares that can be threaded onto the kabob skewers.
- Red Onion - We prefer red onion to yellow onion for these skewers.
- Oil - use olive oil or canola, both help the salmon and veggies to cook.
- Herbs and Spices - Mixed Italian herbs, paprika, and salt - they all give a great flavor to the salmon.
- Lemon Juice - Zesty lemon really 'lifts' the flavor of the fish and vegetables.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
Instructions
If you're wondering how to make this salmon kabobs recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Preheat the oven to 360°F.
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water so they don't burn.
Remove the skin from the salmon slices, remove the bones and cut the fish into 1-inch cubes. Put them into a bowl.
Add the cut vegetables to another bowl.
Mix the oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic, and salt in a small bowl. Add half to the bowl of salmon and half to the bowl of vegetables. Mix, and let them sit for 5 minutes to marinade.
Thread the salmon and vegetables, alternating onto the wooden skewers.
Place them into a baking dish (either line the dish with foil, or brush with oil), then bake for 15 minutes or until cooked.
Serve and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
There are lots of great ways to serve up your salmon kabobs!
- Serve over a bed of quinoa for a healthy and hearty meal.
- Pair with a side of couscous for a Mediterranean vibe.
- Enjoy with a light salad of mixed greens and vinaigrette.
- Serve with roasted potatoes for a more filling dish.
- Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt for added creaminess.
- Serve with grilled asparagus for a fresh and seasonal side.
- Pair with a chilled white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc.
- Serve with rice pilaf for a slightly richer side dish.
- Enjoy alongside some garlic bread or naan for extra flavor.
- Pair with a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad.
Variations
- Spicy Salmon Kabobs: Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade for a little heat.
- Citrus Twist: Use lime juice instead of lemon for a fresh citrus flavor.
- Herb-Infused: Add fresh chopped herbs like parsley, dill, or thyme to the marinade.
- Grilled Version: Instead of baking, throw the skewers on the grill for a smoky flavor.
- Garlic Parmesan: Add grated Parmesan and extra garlic to the marinade.
- Mediterranean: Add Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes to the kabobs for a Mediterranean flair.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Advice
- Storage: Leftover kabobs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing the cooked kabobs, as the texture of the salmon may change once thawed.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the skewers in advance and marinate them in the fridge for up to 4 hours before baking. This will allow the flavors to meld even more.
Recipe Tips
- If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Make sure the salmon is cut into even cubes so that it cooks uniformly.
- Don’t overcrowd the skewers—leave a little space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer, you can grill the kabobs instead of baking them. Just watch them closely so they don’t overcook.
- Always check the salmon for doneness by flaking it with a fork—it should be opaque and easily separate into flakes.
FAQs
This recipe takes approximately 15 minutes to cook in the oven.
They could dry out and char or catch on fire. It's best to soak them for 30 minutes.
📖 Recipe
Salmon Kabobs
Equipment
- Bowl
- Skewers
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon
- 1 medium zucchini sliced
- 1 red bell pepper cut into squares
- 1 red onions cut into squares
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 360°F.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water so they don't burn.
- Remove the skin from the salmon slices, remove the bones and cut the fish into 1-inch cubes. Put them into a bowl.
- Add the cut vegetables to another bowl.
- Mix the oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic and salt in a small bowl. Add half to the bowl of salmon and half to the bowl of vegetables. Mix, and let them sit for 5 minutes to marinade.
- Thread the salmon and vegetables, alternating onto the wooden skewers.
- Place them into a baking dish (either line the dish with foil, or brush with oil), then bake for 15 minutes or utnil cooked.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Tayler
Spotted these on pinterest and thought, why haven't I thought of this before?? I love salmon, so we LOVED these delicious kabobs! They were so good with steamed vegetables. I try to eat fish a few times a week, but just putting them on sticks made it feel like a totally different meal.
Angela
We loved this! It was a perfect simple and delicious dinner and so glad that's healthy too! And my kids are all about the kabobs, but they wouldn't eat the onions ha ha 🙂 I served it with potato salad.
Helen
I love how straightforward these are, but they look really special! Great for a 'fancy' family dinner 🙂
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
It was ealthy, tasty and quick too.