Sesame Free Cilantro-Lime Salmon Cucumber Skewers
Bright, zesty, and genuinely impressive on a platter, these pan-seared skewers bring together tender salmon and cool cucumber rounds in a way that feels restaurant-worthy without a lot of fuss. The marinade — built from fresh lime juice, lime zest, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cilantro — does serious flavor work in just 15 minutes, giving the salmon a fragrant, citrusy coating before it ever hits the pan. For anyone navigating sesame allergies or sensitivities, this recipe is a breath of fresh air: every single ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify, with no tahini, sesame oil, or hidden seed-based sauces anywhere in sight. Skewering the salmon with cucumber rounds isn't just pretty — the cool, crisp cucumber balances the warm, golden sear on the fish beautifully. Cooking them in a skillet rather than on a grill keeps things accessible and gives you great control over doneness, so the salmon comes out opaque and perfectly cooked every time. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and a few cilantro sprigs, and you've got a dish that looks like you tried much harder than you actually did.
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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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