Grill

Grilled Salmon Skewers for Easy Recipes for Dinner

There’s something deeply satisfying about threading juicy salmon onto skewers, grilling them until just charred, and pairing them with a sauce so green and herb-packed, it might just outshine the fish. I’ve made these salmon skewers on quiet Tuesday nights and boisterous weekend BBQs—they’re that versatile. The salmon cooks fast, which is great, because I don’t have a lot of patience once I smell that sizzle. And that cilantro sauce? It’s fresh, zippy, and might tempt you to dip everything in sight. These skewers are not only quick and easy, they hit all the marks for healthy and easy recipes. If you’re into grill recipes that feel fuss-free but look fancy, you’re in the right place. The salmon holds its own, even if you swap in veggies or skip the skewers entirely and go full fillet mode. I’ve done both, and no one complained. So if you’re browsing clean dinner recipes, or maybe just craving something different from your regular seafood rotation, give this one a go. Whether you call it your go-to seafood dinner recipe or your sneaky weeknight power move, these salmon skewers are here for you.

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Table of Contents

  • 1) Key Takeaways
  • 2) Easy Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce Recipe
  • 3) Ingredients for Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce
  • 4) How to Make Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce
  • 5) Tips for Making Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce
  • 6) Making Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce Ahead of Time
  • 7) Storing Leftover Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce
  • 8) Try these grill recipes next!
  • 9) Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce
  • 10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

  • What pairs well with grilled salmon skewers?
  • How to get perfectly cooked salmon every time?
  • Why cilantro sauce makes all the difference?

2) Easy Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce Recipe

This recipe came out of one of those “what’s in the fridge” situations. I had a fillet of salmon and a half bunch of cilantro that was seconds from being compost. Toss in a lime and one garlic clove later, and we had a sauce so good it deserved a round of applause. The main keyword, easy recipes for dinner, fits perfectly here, because this is truly one of those dishes that just makes your day simpler.

We love how these grilled salmon skewers can go from fridge to plate in about twenty minutes. They’re healthy, which is great, but they also have this grilled edge that makes them feel a bit indulgent. And honestly, who doesn’t love dipping things in sauce? With quick and easy recipes like this, you get flavor without needing a culinary degree or half your spice cabinet.

Even my neighbor, who “doesn’t like fish,” gave these a shot and ended up asking for the recipe. That’s when I knew this one was going in my forever file of healthy and easy recipes. This is how we do seafood dinner recipes at Lila Cooks.

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3) Ingredients for Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce

Salmon: Use about 1.5 pounds of skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes. I try to find fresh, but frozen and thawed works too.

Olive Oil: One tablespoon helps the salmon get a bit of crisp on the outside and prevents it from sticking to the grill.

Salt and Black Pepper: Just a sprinkle to season the salmon pieces before grilling. Simple is better here.

Skewers: Wooden or metal work. If you’re using wood, soak them for thirty minutes so they don’t catch fire.

Cilantro: One full bunch, stems and all. Wash well, because cilantro can be sandy. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Garlic: One clove, peeled. It adds just the right hit of sharpness to the sauce.

Jalapeño: One, seeded if you want less heat. Leave the seeds if you’re bold (or brave).

Lime Juice: One fresh lime, juiced. Bottled lime juice doesn’t cut it here.

Olive Oil (for Sauce): About 1/4 cup. Helps the sauce come together and cling to the salmon.

Water: Two tablespoons to thin out the sauce a bit. You want drizzle, not sludge.

Salt: Just a pinch in the sauce. It brings everything to life.

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4) How to Make Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce

Step 1: Heat up your grill or grill pan. Get it to medium-high, but not smoking hot. We want char, not incineration.

Step 2: Toss the salmon cubes with a tablespoon of olive oil, plus salt and pepper. Just enough to coat them lightly.

Step 3: Thread the cubes onto your skewers. Don’t jam them too close together. Give them room to breathe and cook evenly.

Step 4: Grill each skewer for about two to three minutes per side. The salmon should be opaque and slightly firm, with a few grill marks for that smoky flavor.

Step 5: While the salmon cooks, blend the cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, water, and olive oil in a blender. You want it smooth but still a little textured. Salt to taste.

Step 6: Serve the salmon skewers hot with a drizzle of that green magic. The cilantro sauce might just steal the show.

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5) Tips for Making Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce

If your salmon sticks to the grill, don’t panic. It probably just needs another thirty seconds before it’s ready to turn. Trust the process. This is one of those grill recipes easy enough for even nervous cooks.

Use a fish spatula if you’ve got one. It’s thinner and makes flipping easier. If not, a good pair of tongs will do. And when it comes to the sauce, don’t skip the lime. It balances the herbs and brings out that fresh edge.

Let your salmon come to room temp for 10 minutes before grilling. It helps it cook more evenly. No one wants cold-in-the-middle fish, even in a clean dinner recipe.

6) Making Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce Ahead of Time

These skewers hold up surprisingly well if you prep them ahead. Grill the salmon, let it cool, and keep it in the fridge. Same with the sauce. Just don’t combine them until you’re ready to eat. That keeps the fish from getting soggy.

I like to keep the skewers wrapped in foil and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes. The cilantro sauce keeps in a jar for up to five days. Give it a good shake before serving.

If you’re planning meals for the week, this one fits right into your easy & healthy snack recipes rotation, even though I call it dinner. And yes, it reheats like a champ.

7) Storing Leftover Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce

Got leftovers? Lucky you. Keep the salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Store the cilantro sauce separately, so it doesn’t make the fish mushy.

Reheat the skewers in a toaster oven if you’ve got one, or just enjoy them cold over salad. I’ve chopped them up and tossed them into rice bowls more than once.

They’re perfect for lunchboxes or low-lift weeknight meals. This is one of those seafood dinner recipes that just keeps giving.

8) Try these grill recipes next!

9) Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce

Grilled Salmon Skewers for Easy Recipes for Dinner

There’s something deeply satisfying about threading juicy salmon onto skewers, grilling them until just charred, and pairing them with a sauce so green and herb-packed, it might just outshine the fish. I’ve made these salmon skewers on quiet Tuesday nights and boisterous weekend BBQs—they’re that versatile. The salmon cooks fast, which is great, because I don’t have a lot of patience once I smell that sizzle. And that cilantro sauce? It’s fresh, zippy, and might tempt you to dip everything in sight. These skewers are not only quick and easy, they hit all the marks for healthy and easy recipes. If you’re into grill recipes that feel fuss-free but look fancy, you’re in the right place. The salmon holds its own, even if you swap in veggies or skip the skewers entirely and go full fillet mode. I’ve done both, and no one complained. So if you’re browsing clean dinner recipes, or maybe just craving something different from your regular seafood rotation, give this one a go. Whether you call it your go-to seafood dinner recipe or your sneaky weeknight power move, these salmon skewers are here for you.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keywords: clean dinner recipes, easy & healthy snack recipes, easy recipes for dinner, grill recipes easy, healthy and easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, seafood dinner recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lila

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Wooden or metal skewers (if using wood, soak in water 30 mins prior)
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded for less heat
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (for sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  2. Toss the salmon cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until coated.
  3. Thread the salmon onto skewers, leaving a bit of space between each piece.
  4. Grill the salmon skewers for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the salmon is just cooked through and lightly charred.
  5. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, combine cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, olive oil, and water. Blend until smooth. Add salt to taste.
  6. Serve the skewers hot with a generous drizzle of cilantro sauce. Extra sauce makes a great dip or salad dressing too!

10) Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 skewer | Calories: 285 | Sugar: 0.5 g | Sodium: 210 mg | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Fiber: 0.4 g | Protein: 24 g | Cholesterol: 60 mg

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