Maximize Flavor by Skewering Your Fish

Skewering fish will expose more edges and corners to the fire, which increases charring and the coveted crispy bits.
Maximize Flavor by Skewering Your Fish
In this recipe, a quick marinade adds more flavor to the mild halibut. Lynda Balslev for Tastefood
Updated:
0:00

Thick halibut fillets are ideal for grilling. Their firm texture will maintain shape without flaking apart on the grill, and their mild flavor is enhanced by the char and smoke. While you can simply grill the fillets whole, try cutting the fish into large chunks and threading the pieces on skewers. The smaller pieces will expose more edges and corners to the fire, which increases charring and the coveted crispy bits.

In this recipe, a quick marinade adds more flavor to the mild halibut. A key ingredient in the marinade is coarsely grated onion. The onion pulp and juice contribute sweetness and sharpness, nicely acting as a tenderizer and balancing the salt and acidity. Alternate the pieces of fish with sweet peppers and red onion on the skewers. The grilled vegetables will infuse more flavor into the fish and provide appealing color to the skewers. (Adding vegetables is also a great way to stretch pricey fish to feed a crowd.)

Lynda Balslev
Lynda Balslev
Author
Lynda Balslev is a cookbook author, food and travel writer, and recipe developer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives with her Danish husband, two children, a cat, and a dog. Balslev studied cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine in Paris and worked as a personal chef, culinary instructor, and food writer in Switzerland and Denmark. Copyright 2025 Lynda Balslev. Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication.