Fish & Seafood

Middle Eastern Inspired Fish Skewers

Name: Middle Eastern Inspired Fish Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 1 h 51 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 4 Cod Fillets (cut into bite size chunks); 12 King Prawns (peeled and butterflied); 2 Lemons; 4 tbsp Natural Yogurt; 1 tsp Garlic Paste; 1 tsp Ginger Paste; 1 tsp Hot Paprika; 1 tsp Ground Coriander; 1 tsp Ground Cumin

Juicy cod and king prawns marinated in yoghurt, Middle Eastern spices, and zesty lemon, then grilled to perfection. Simple, flavourful, and ideal for BBQs.

By Ricky Robinson • Updated May 21, 2024

These bright and flavourful fish skewers bring together fresh seafood with Middle Eastern spices in a way that feels special but isn't fussy. Juicy cod fillets and succulent king prawns get marinated in yoghurt, aromatic spices, and zesty lemon, which keeps the fish tender and adds layers of flavour without overwhelming it.

The recipe is incredibly straightforward. You'll toast the spices quickly in a dry pan to release their oils, mix them with yoghurt, garlic, ginger, and lemon, then coat the seafood and let it sit for an hour or two in the fridge. That's the bulk of your work done. The yoghurt does double duty here, acting as both a flavour carrier and a tenderiser, which is why the fish stays so moist when you grill it.

Marinating seafood in yoghurt and spices doesn't just add flavour—it keeps everything tender and juicy on the grill.

You can cook these on a BBQ if the weather's good, or use a grill pan or skillet indoors. Either way, they only need a few minutes on each side.

Middle Eastern Inspired Fish Skewers recipe image

Serving these skewers is simple. Wedges of lemon for squeezing over the top are essential—the acidity cuts through the richness and brightens everything up. You could serve them with flatbreads, couscous, or quinoa like I've done here, or keep it lighter with a fresh salad or your favourite dips on the side. Tzatziki, hummus, or a simple cucumber and mint yoghurt all work beautifully.

This dish is great for sharing at a BBQ or even as a midweek meal when you want something that feels a bit different. The bold spices give it character, but the technique is easy enough that you don't need to be an experienced cook to get good results. It's one of those recipes that looks more impressive than the effort required, which is always a win in my book.