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Immerse yourself in the allure of succulent fish, generously coated in a divine tandoori marinade, then broiled to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth interior and an irresistibly charred exterior. This high-protein fish tikka recipe is designed to win hearts.
“This recipe was so easy to prepare and tasted delicious. We paired it with coconut basmati rice and green salad. My family loved it. It will definitely become a regular menu item at my house. Such an easy way to eat more fish too.Thanks for sharing Shahzadi.” ~Robyn Compton
It all started with your love for my Tandoori Chicken Tikka, which truly touched my heart.
Growing up surrounded by the comforting aroma of vibrant spices, my culinary journey has been a heartwarming dance with tradition rather than a daring leap into experimentation. The art of crafting marinades, enriched with time-tested spice blends, is how I lovingly connect with the flavours that shaped my upbringing.
Remaining true to these cherished flavours, I present a new creation—succulent Tandoori Salmon Tikka. I hope you discover as much joy in savouring this fish recipe as I have in crafting it.
Now, as a dietitian and certified diabetes educator, my discerning palate recognizes the nutritional prowess of omega-3-rich fish, and salmon, in particular, claims its well-deserved 5-star status. And let me tell you, get ready to dive into a beautiful recipe that’ll dazzle your taste buds!
Nutrition highlights: Why you’ll want this on repeat
This quick and healthy dinner option is a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with essential nutrients, it’s designed to make your mealtime both delicious and nourishing. Now, let’s delve into the nutrition highlights that make this recipe a standout choice for your well-balanced diet.
- Rich in Omega-3 Fats: Especially high in DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain health, a nutrient not easily obtained from plant sources.
- Vitamin D Boost: One of the few foods that naturally provides Vitamin D, essential for bone health and immune function.
- Protein Powerhouse: Packed with high-quality protein, supporting muscle health and providing a satisfying, diabetes dinner.
Ingredients
Creating restaurant-quality tandoori flavours demands a commitment to a diverse array of spices. While the ingredient list may seem extensive, each component plays a crucial role in achieving the rich and authentic taste we’re aiming for.
- Greek Yogurt: Chosen for its thickness that beautifully adheres to the fish, contributing to its succulence.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice: Adds a refreshing touch and helps balance the flavours.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Imparts richness. Alternatively, avocado oil is a suitable option.
- Freshly Chopped Garlic and Ginger: Staple elements in South Asian dishes, providing aromatic depth.
- Ground Spices:
- Smoked Paprika and Kashmiri Chili Powder: Introduce colour, mildly smoky flavour, and heat.
- Mango Powder (“Amchur”): Offers a subtle tanginess.
- Cinnamon Powder and Star Anise Powder (aka star anise): Contribute warmth and a hint of licorice-like flavour.
- Sea Salt
- Salmon (with skin): Whether wild-caught or farmed, both varieties work beautifully with this tandoori tikka marinade. I went for approximately a kilo of farmed salmon, just grab a big fillet that’s evenly thick, and you’re good to go!
How to make it
Step 1: Cut the Salmon
Alright, let’s talk salmon prep! We all have our preferred methods for cutting fish, but here’s what works great for this recipe:
I’m all about keeping the skin on – it works wonders for preserving the fish’s integrity as it gets soft and flaky during cooking. Plus, that tandoori masala-coated fish skin is quite spectacular!
Step 2: Prepare the fish tikka marinade
Step 3: Arrange and broil
Preheat your oven to broil for a minimum of 5 minutes.
Bear in mind: that cooking times will vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your salmon pieces.
Once cooked, remove the sheet pan from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro and serve immediately (serving suggestions below!).
I know it’s tough but resist the temptation to fiddle or rotate the fish; we want to prevent the pieces from breaking apart. Instead, keep a close watch and consider using an alarm (I always forget without one!) to ensure a perfectly cooked fish tikka recipe.
For a complete list of ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, you can find everything you need in the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Tip for the beginner cook
I’ve tested both the top and middle positions for cooking the fish pieces. Using the top position leads to some pieces burning, while the middle position lacks the desired char. Hence, the sweet spot for achieving the perfect balance between charred edges and fully cooked pieces is by switching positions during cooking. Give it a try for a more even and delicious outcome! Let me know how it goes!
What do you eat with tandoori fish tikka?
Tandoori fish tikka finds perfect companionship with fragrant basmati rice, Cabbage Poriyal, and the refreshing flavours of creamy Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Diabetes diet advice
In managing diabetes, it’s crucial to consider heart health, given the heightened risk of heart disease for folks with diabetes. Including inflammation-fighting omega-3-rich fish like salmon 2-3 times per week becomes a key strategy, as omega-3 helps prevent complications like heart disease. An additional benefit of this heart-healthy recipe: the inclusion of spices enhances the dish’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Food safe storage
Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For future convenience, consider freezing uncooked marinated salmon for up to a month in the freezer. Alternatively, you can cook the fish and freeze it for a month, ensuring a quick and delicious meal whenever you crave it.
If you give this anti-inflammatory recipe a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your rating, leave a comment, and be sure to tag me on Instagram @DesiliciousRD! I can’t wait to see your creations!
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Get the Recipe:
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Tandoori Salmon Fish Tikka
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, extra large, peeled, finely chopped
- 2 inch ginger, fresh, peeled, finely chopped
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, hot
- 1 tsp mango powder, amchur
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- ½ tsp star anise powder
- 2 tsp sea salt
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, plain, extra thick, zero fat
- 2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 lemon, juice only, freshly squeezed
- 1 kg salmon, fresh, farmed, skin on, cut into medium pieces
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, Kashmiri red chilli powder, mango powder, cinnamon powder, star anise powder, sea salt, oil, Greek yogurt and lemon juice.
- Add salmon pieces to the marinade, ensuring an even coating. Mix gently. Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to broil for at least 5 minutes.
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Arrange marinated salmon pieces on the pan, placing thicker pieces in the middle and thinner pieces at the edges.
- Slide the sheet pan into the oven, positioning it in the middle for the first 5 minutes. Move it to the highest top position and broil for an additional 2-4 minutes to achieve a char and finish cooking.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately with your favourite sides.
Notes
Tip for the beginner cook
- In my trials, I’ve tested both the top and middle positions for cooking. Yet, using the top position led to some pieces burning, while the middle position lacked the desired char. Hence, the sweet spot for achieving the perfect balance between charred edges and fully cooked pieces is by switching positions during cooking. Give it a try for a more even and delicious outcome!
What do you eat with tandoori fish tikka?
- Tandoori fish tikka finds perfect companionship with fragrant basmati rice, crisp greens, and the refreshing flavours of creamy Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing, or the refreshing flavours of Raita or Kachumber. For an alternative, create a wrap by folding your tikka into Soft Homemade Roti or Multigrain Paratha—a versatile and delicious meal awaits!
Diabetes diet advice
- In managing diabetes, it’s crucial to consider heart health, given the heightened risk of heart disease for folks with diabetes. Including inflammation-fighting omega-3-rich fish like salmon 2-3 times per week becomes a key strategy, as omega-3 helps prevent complications like heart disease. An additional benefit: the inclusion of spices enhances the dish’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Food safe storage
- Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For future convenience, consider freezing uncooked marinated salmon for up to a month in the freezer. Alternatively, you can cook the fish and freeze it for a month, ensuring a quick and delicious meal whenever you crave it.
Nutrition Information:
Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Just made this tonight and it was a big hit with the family. This is my go to dish when eating in an Indian restaurant so it’s great that I can now make it at home! Next time I’ll serve it with Raita like you suggest.
Thanks so much, Camilla for sharing your feedback! Delighted to hear that you’re family enjoyed this recipe. It’s so easy, packed with flavour and brimming with nutrition. Warmly, Shahzadi
This recipe was so easy to prepare and tasted delicious. We paired it with coconut basmati rice and green salad. My family loved it. It will definitely become a regular menu item at my house. Such an easy way to eat more fish too.Thanks for sharing Shahzadi
Hello Robyn! our pairings for this recipe sound incredible. I am so so happy to hear that you enjoyed this tikka. We can’t get enough of it!! Warmly, Shahzadi