Seafood Kebabs with Lemon Herb Marinade
These light yet satisfying Mediterranean-inspired seafood kebabs combine the bright zestiness of citrus with the delicate flavors of shrimp, scallops, and fish for a restaurant-quality meal that's remarkably simple to prepare at home.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Marinating Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 servings
Calories 285 kcal
For the Marinade
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemons juice and zest (about 1/4 cup juice)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
For the Kebabs
- 8 oz large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 oz sea scallops side muscle removed
- 8 oz firm white fish such as halibut or cod, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small red onion cut into 1-inch chunks
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 zucchini sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- lemon wedges for serving
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of marinade in a separate container for basting during grilling.
Place the shrimp, scallops, and fish chunks in a large zip-top bag or shallow glass dish. Pour the marinade over the seafood, gently tossing to ensure even coating. Seal or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
While the seafood marinates, prepare your vegetables, ensuring all pieces are similar in size. Toss vegetables in a light coating of olive oil and a pinch of salt before assembling kebabs.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F or 190-205°C). If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
Remove seafood from the marinade, discarding the used liquid. Thread the seafood and vegetables onto skewers, alternating between shrimp, scallops, fish, and various vegetables. Leave small spaces between pieces to ensure even cooking.
Place kebabs on the preheated grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, about 8-10 minutes total, until seafood is opaque and firm but still moist. Brush occasionally with the reserved marinade for extra flavor.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and your choice of sides.
Avoid marinating seafood longer than 45 minutes as the citrus can begin "cooking" the proteins, similar to ceviche.
For even cooking, ensure all vegetable and seafood pieces are cut to similar sizes.
If you prefer, you can bake these kebabs in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through.
For easier handling, consider placing similar ingredients on separate skewers as they cook at different rates.
Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 28gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 485mgPotassium: 680mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 110mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2.4mg
Keyword Seafood, Kebabs, Grilling, Lemon Herb, Shrimp, Scallops, Healthy Dinner