Grilled Lemon Garlic Salmon Skewers: Your Ultimate Easy & Healthy Summer Recipe

Transform your weeknight dinner or next backyard BBQ with these incredibly delicious Grilled Lemon Garlic Salmon Skewers. Tossed in a vibrant garlic-lemon sauce and perfectly grilled, each tender bite is bursting with flavor. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a taste of summer paradise on a stick, proving that healthy eating can be both effortless and extraordinarily tasty! Prepare to fall in love with this simple yet sophisticated dish.

The Excitement of a New Grill and the Inspiration for Outdoor Cooking

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a brand new grill, especially as the warmer months beckon for outdoor cooking. Just last weekend, my husband and I embarked on a mission to find the perfect addition to our patio setup. In a moment of sheer brilliance, I enlisted my older boys to take their younger brothers to the movies, granting us a few hours of uninterrupted grill-shopping bliss. It was a strategic move that paid off beautifully!

Our search for the ideal grill began at Home Depot, but their selection didn’t quite capture our imagination. Thankfully, Lowe’s didn’t disappoint; they offered a much broader array of options. After some careful consideration, we finally settled on a really nice grill that was not only offered at a fantastic price but, to our utter surprise and delight, was already assembled! Seriously, you can imagine our luck. We managed to fit it perfectly into the back of my Suburban and wheeled it right into its designated spot on our patio. The urge to fire it up and start cooking was immediate – well, right after we picked up our boys from the movie, of course, haha!

Why Skewers are a Grilling Game Changer

With our new grill sparkling on the patio, one of the first things I was eager to prepare was salmon skewers. While my husband sometimes playfully refers to threading food onto sticks as a “huge pain,” I find a peculiar, almost meditative pleasure in the process. There’s something deeply satisfying about arranging colorful pieces of fish and bright lemon slices onto a skewer. Beyond the therapeutic aspect, eating food off a stick is just plain fun – it makes every meal feel like a special occasion, whether it’s a casual backyard dinner or a lively get-together.

Skewers aren’t just about the novelty; they’re incredibly practical for grilling. They ensure even cooking, prevent smaller pieces of food from falling through the grates, and make flipping a whole meal a simple task. This method also encourages healthy eating by promoting portion control and allowing for a balanced combination of protein and fresh ingredients. Furthermore, skewers are perfect for meal prepping; you can marinate the ingredients ahead of time, then simply assemble and grill when you’re ready. This makes them an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend entertaining, truly a win-win for both the cook and the diners.

The Irresistible Harmony of Salmon, Lemon, and Garlic

It’s widely known in the culinary world that salmon and citrus form an unparalleled flavor combination. Coupled with the fact that my lemon tree is relentlessly producing what feels like a million lemons a minute, it was an obvious choice to bring these two elements together with a touch of aromatic garlic. The result is nothing short of spectacular: a crazy delicious, wonderfully tender, and intensely “lemony” (yes, I’m calling it a word!) salmon that tastes like heaven on a stick!

Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse, celebrated for its abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential vitamins, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. When grilled, it cooks quickly and efficiently, retaining its natural moisture and delicate, flaky texture. The fresh lemon juice not only infuses the fish with a bright, zesty flavor but also works as a natural tenderizer, ensuring each bite is incredibly succulent. Minced garlic adds a crucial layer of savory depth, complementing the citrus and fish beautifully. This harmonious blend of ingredients creates a dish that is both incredibly flavorful and wonderfully wholesome, quickly becoming a new favorite in our home. Seriously, it’s the best salmon I’ve had in a long time. Long live the salmon skewers!

Grilled Lemon Salmon Skewers

No ratings yet

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Rate this Recipe

Course: Dinner

Author: Jenn

Ingredients

1 1/2 – 2 lbs boneless/skinless salmon cut into 1-inch pieces
2 + lemons sliced (amount depends on lemon size and slice thickness)
juice from 1/2 of a lemon
2 cloves garlic minced
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
wooden skewers soaked in water for about 15 minutes to prevent burning

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and lemon pepper until well combined. Add the lemon slices and salmon chunks to the bowl, tossing gently to ensure everything is thoroughly coated in the flavorful marinade.
Carefully thread the marinated salmon and lemon slices onto the pre-soaked wooden skewers. For best results, fold the lemon slices in half before threading them, alternating with pieces of salmon. Continue until all salmon and lemon slices are used, creating vibrant and appetizing skewers.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the salmon skewers on the hot grill, turning them occasionally and carefully to ensure even cooking and beautiful grill marks. Grill until the salmon is opaque, flaky, and cooked through, and the lemon slices are nicely browned and slightly caramelized. This typically takes about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your salmon pieces.
Remove the skewers from the grill and serve immediately. Enjoy the fresh, zesty, and perfectly cooked salmon!

Notes

Yield: approximately 5-6 skewers, depending on salmon and lemon slice size.

Pro Tip: Ensure your wooden skewers are soaked for at least 15-30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning on the grill. If you prefer, metal skewers can also be used and do not require soaking.

Serving Suggestions: These lemon garlic salmon skewers pair wonderfully with a light quinoa salad, grilled asparagus, roasted new potatoes, or a simple green salad for a complete and healthy meal. For an extra touch, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or dill after grilling.

Flavor Variations: Feel free to add other vibrant vegetables like bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), zucchini chunks, cherry tomatoes, or red onion wedges to your skewers for added color, texture, and nutrients. Just ensure they are cut to a similar size to the salmon for even cooking.

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!
Mention @JenNikolaus or tag #YummyHealthyEasy!

More Delicious Skewer Recipes to Try This Summer

If you loved the simplicity and fantastic flavor of these grilled lemon garlic salmon skewers, you’re in for a treat! Skewers are a versatile and fun way to cook, perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to festive backyard parties. They offer endless possibilities for creative and satisfying meals, making them ideal for diversifying your culinary repertoire. Here are a few more of our favorite skewer recipes that are sure to become staples in your rotation:

Grilled Shrimp Skewers & Mango Salsa

Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers

Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Reduction Drizzle

Whether you’re craving succulent seafood, tender poultry, or a refreshing vegetarian bite, these skewer recipes offer fantastic options for healthy and satisfying meals. They are excellent for entertaining guests, meal prepping for the week, or simply enjoying a quick and delicious dinner on a warm evening. We encourage you to explore these recipes and bring some culinary excitement and ease to your table!

Stay Connected for More Delicious & Healthy Ideas!

Don’t miss out on more yummy, healthy, and easy recipes that make mealtime both exciting and effortless. Join our vibrant community of food enthusiasts and keep up with the latest culinary inspiration, helpful tips, and clever tricks. We love sharing our passion for food and connecting with fellow home cooks who appreciate delicious and wholesome meals. Follow us on our social media channels for daily updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses into our kitchen, and engaging conversations. Your next favorite recipe is just a click away!

For even more great ideas follow me on Facebook – Pinterest – Instagram – Twitter