Name: Quick 30-Minute Salmon Tikka | Pakistani-Style Tandoori Fish
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds washed and dried salmon, with the skin removed; 2 cups yogurt—ideally a thick Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon ginger paste; 1 tablespoon garlic paste; 4 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons coriander powder; 2 teaspoons crushed red chilies; 2 teaspoon chat masala; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder; 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves; 3 tablespoons olive oil

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These healthy salmon tikka kebabs are delicious and easy to make. They are packed with omega-3s in every bite! Ready in less than 30 minutes, including marinating. Seasoned with common spices, they can be grilled, baked, or air-fried.

Salmon Tikka served with rice and green chutney

What is Tikka?

Tikka is a small, marinated meat piece traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven. It is commonly recognized due to the widespread popularity of chicken tikka masala. The marination base typically consists of yogurt and a blend of spices, including ginger, garlic, coriander, red chilies, turmeric, garam masala, and lemon juice.

Pakistani-Inspired Salmon Tikka

If you’re a fan of salmon and tikka, you’ll love this healthy fish recipe! The bold flavors of rich Indian spices combine perfectly with salmon, making it your new favorite salmon recipe.

Prepare The Salmon

Salmon: The flavor and nutritional profile of wild-caught salmon are the best of any salmon. Farmed salmon is high in undesirable and unhealthy saturated fats, but it is still a good source of omega-3s.

Cut Into Pieces: Thick salmon filets allow you to cut big chunks with a firm texture that will not fall apart or flake off your skewer when cooked.

Skin: It’s best to remove the fish skin before cooking. Ask the fishmonger for assistance.

Pat Dry: Pat the fish dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and achieve a crispy exterior.

Time Spent For Marinating: Marinating the salmon for 10 to 30 minutes is important. If marinated for over 30 minutes, it results in a mealy texture due to the breakdown of proteins by the citrus juice.

Tips For Wooden Skewers

Soak wooden skewers in water before threading them. Avoid using bamboo skewers directly on fire.
I usually prefer wood because I find that using metal skewers causes the food to spin more, making it difficult to turn while cooking.

Check the recipe card for the detailed video tutorial

Variations In Cooking Method

Pan Fry: To cook skewers, preheat a frying pan. Heat the pan on medium flame, add oil and place the skewers in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they have golden brown bottoms. Flip the skewers and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 2 minutes. Layer salmon kababs in the basket. Air fry for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for 2-3 more minutes on the other side.
Oven Bake: Preheat the oven to 500F.Layer the salmon kabobs on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes. Flip in the middle. For a charred taste, broil for 1-2 minutes.
Outdoor Grill: Great for grilling! Thread salmon onto skewers if desired

Don’t forget to sprinkle some lemon and chaat masala before serving!

Tips For Enhancing The Flavor Of Salmon Tikka

Although the flavor is delightful, I have some incredible suggestions to take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. Trust me, you don’t want to miss these delectable enhancements.

Green chutney is a perfect complement to any type of tikka, much like ketchup on a burger.
To add some bite and crunch, serve with a side order of red onion slices.
Zesty lemon wedges and chaat masala enhance the taste.

Serving Suggestion For Salmon Tikka

You can serve the salmon in so many ways.

For the main course, serve with basmati rice and kachumar salad.

Any type of flatbread, such as chapati, naan, or paratha, is another way to enjoy the tikka.

You can serve it as an appetizer. Serve in mini bamboo skewers.

If you want to go altogether lighter, serving with Salad on the side is an excellent option

Make a Tikka Charcuterie Board.

Salmon Tikka Served with side of rice, bread and chutney

If you like salmon, you should try the Honey glazed salmon Recipe.

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