Artificial Flavors Free Cilantro-Lime Salmon Cucumber Skewers
Fresh lime juice, real garlic, grated ginger, and a handful of chopped cilantro do all the heavy lifting here — no flavor packets, no bottled marinades, nothing with a suspicious ingredient list. The result is a bright, zesty marinade that soaks into tender salmon cubes and makes every bite genuinely vibrant. A pinch of ground turmeric adds a subtle warmth and gorgeous color without any synthetic shortcuts. Threading the salmon with cool, crisp cucumber rounds keeps things light and adds a satisfying contrast in texture that makes these skewers feel almost restaurant-worthy. Everything comes together in a single skillet, so you get a beautiful sear on the fish without a lot of fuss or cleanup. If you're used to scanning labels for artificial additives in pre-seasoned seafood or store-bought skewer kits, this recipe is a breath of fresh air — every ingredient is exactly what it says it is. Squeeze an extra wedge of lime over the platter right before serving and you'll wonder why you ever reached for anything pre-made.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salmon
- 1 lb salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
For the skewers
- 1 large english cucumber, cut into 1-inch rounds
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
- fresh cilantro sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lime juice, lime zest, garlic, ginger, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and cilantro until combined. Add the salmon cubes and toss gently to coat. Let the salmon marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- 2
While the salmon marinates, cut the cucumber into 1-inch rounds. Thread the skewers by alternating 2 pieces of salmon with 2 rounds of cucumber on each 6-inch skewer, starting and ending with cucumber.
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