Name: Brochetas de Pescado
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes, plus marinating time
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1½ lb. tuna or swordfish steaks (about 1½" thick); 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided; ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper; 3 garlic cloves, chopped; 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, seeds removed; 1 Tbsp. tomato paste; 2 tsp. ground achiote (annatto seeds); 1 tsp. ground cumin; 5 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, divided (from about 3 medium limes); 4 Tbsp. avocado oil, divided, plus more for grilling; Lime wedges (for serving); 4–6 metal or bamboo skewers (if using bamboo skewers, soak 30 minutes)

A marinated cubed tuna skewer on a plate with limes a glass of seltzer and a spoon.

Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton

These Brochetas de Pescado are marinated in an adobo infused with chipotle, garlic, achiote, cumin, lime juice, and olive oil, creating a silky sauce. Whether you’re grilling outdoors or using a cast-iron grill pan indoors, the fish chunks are stacked tightly against each other resulting in juicy fish and perfect grill marks. Topped with a drizzle of the reserved adobo sauce and served with lime wedges, these skewers transport you to the beaches of Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, where this is the beach snack of choice.

To keep this recipe heart-health conscious, I’ve kept the salt minimal here; feel free to salt to taste if salt isn’t a medical concern for you. This Brochetas de Pescado recipe was medically reviewed by Meghan Goodman, MS, RDN, CDCES, CDN as a part of this heart-healthy recipes collection. Talk to your care provider about whether it’s right for you.

All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What you’ll need

Grilling Skewers
$15 At Amazon
Ground Achiote
$6 At Amazon

Recipe information

Total Time
35 minutes, plus marinating time
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

1½ lb. tuna or swordfish steaks (about 1½" thick)

1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

3 garlic cloves, chopped

2 chipotle chiles in adobo, seeds removed

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

2 tsp. ground achiote (annatto seeds)

1 tsp. ground cumin

5 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, divided (from about 3 medium limes)

4 Tbsp. avocado oil, divided, plus more for grilling

Lime wedges (for serving)

Special Equipment

4–6 metal or bamboo skewers (if using bamboo skewers, soak 30 minutes)

Preparation

Step 1
Pat dry 1½ lb. tuna or swordfish steaks (about 1½" thick) and cut into 1½" cubes. Season on all sides with ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton salt and ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2
Mince and smash 3 garlic cloves, chopped, and 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, seeds removed, together into a smooth paste. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 Tbsp. tomato paste, 2 tsp. ground achiote (annatto seeds), 1 tsp. ground cumin, 3 Tbsp. lime juice, 2 Tbsp. avocado oil, ¼ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ⅛ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¼ cup water and whisk until smooth.
Step 3
Transfer 2 Tbsp. adobo to a small bowl and whisk in 1 Tbsp. avocado oil and remaining 2 Tbsp. lime juice; set aside.
Step 4
Transfer fish to large bowl with remaining adobo and toss to coat. Cook immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 hour.
Step 5
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat a grill pan over medium-high; oil grate. Thread fish cubes onto skewers, 4–5 cubes per skewer.
Step 6
Grill fish, turning often, until lightly charred, opaque, and firm to the touch, about 2 minutes per side on a grill, and about 2½ minutes per side on grill pan, 8–10 minutes total.
Step 7
Transfer skewers to a platter. Season with remaining ¼ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ⅛ tsp. Morton kosher salt and drizzle with reserved adobo. Serve with lime wedges alongside.

TagsEpicurious Dinner Main Dairy Free Nut Free Gluten Free Easy Weeknight Meals Grilling Mexican Latin American Skewer Swordfish Fish Seafood Tuna Chipotle Chile Vegetable Lime Citrus Fruit Spring Summer Fall

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

23 Grilled Fish Recipes for Your Next Cookout
Like cedar-plank salmon, fish tacos al pastor, and grilled halibut Niçoise.
29 Skewers and Kebabs for Your Next Cookout
Japanese chicken meatballs, Turkish marinated lamb, and more of our best skewer recipes.
73 Grilling Recipes to Set Your Summer Aflame
Easy grilled dinners to please everyone on your summer invite list.
37 Hors d’Oeuvres for Classy Get-Togethers
These one-bite appetizers will be the hit of any party.
Cooking for the Heart: 6 New Recipes for Gatherings
With these recipes, there’s no skimping on fresh flavor when you’re cooking for family or community members with dietary restrictions.
33 Summery Tuna Recipes
From tender, charred kebabs to fish burgers and rosy steaks, these recipes for grilled tuna, chilled ceviche, and more will satisfy all your summer cravings.