Grilled Kabob Recipes: 20 Must Make Recipes for Summer

Kabob recipes are easy to make, full of flavor and perfect for a crowd. These Grilled Kabob Recipes cover all meats and vegetable options, and some tips to help grill like a pro!

Grilling is a summer mainstay and why not? It keeps the house cool, adds fantastic flavor to ingredients and embodies the spirit of summertime.

There is no shortage of options to grill. Fantastic burgers, hot dogs, vegetables and even desserts.

One of my favorites is making kabob recipes. They wrap multiple ingredients onto one skewer for an easy and exotic feeling meal.

Shish Kabob, Kebob, Kabob, Skewers: What Is the Difference?

Usually nothing. Originally shish kabobs (a Turkish term) were skewers of meat only; though vegetables might have been cooked on a separate skewer.

These days the terms are comingled with ‘kabob’, ‘kebob’, ‘shish kabob’ and ‘skewers’ meaning the same thing.

One has to review the recipe ingredients to learn whether they are meat or fish only, or a mix of protein and vegetables or fruit.

Why Make Kabob Recipes?

They are very easy, first off. The convenience of everything being grilling on skewers provides a quick cooking main dish.

They have an exotic feel and many skewers can be cooked at once making them great for a crowd.

How to Make a Great Kabob Recipe

The mix of ingredients should be matched in size and cooking time to allow all ingredients to cook evenly and for the same duration.

Alternatively, single ingredient skewers can be made and allowed to grill for the required time (example: only meat skewers and vegetable-only skewers).

Then ingredients can be mixed when serving diners.

What Skewers to Use for Kabob Recipes?

The main difference between skewers is picking metal or bamboo skewers. Each have benefits and drawbacks but both work great.

Metal Skewers

I prefer metal skewers for making kabob recipes with heavier ingredients like beef or heavier vegetables.

I always use flat skewerswhich keeps the ingredients from spinning as on a round skewer.

Keeping the ingredients in place with a flat skewer allows the kabobs to cook evenly on every side and gives the griller more control.

Metal skewers have to be washed after use which some don’t prefer (vs. disposable bamboo skewers).

There are grill racks that allow metal skewers to sit in a groove for easy rotation above the flames.

Bamboo or Wood Skewers

Single-use bamboo skewers are very affordable and popular. I use them exclusively for shrimp skewers which have very lightweight ingredients.

Bamboo skewers are not as sturdy as metal skewers.

There are also flat wooden skewers that are great for shorter kabobs.

Bamboo skewers can burn when grilling.

I DO NOT soak my bamboo skewers as studies have shown soaked and unsoaked bamboo skewers will flame in the same amount of time.

How to Make a Homemade Grill Guard for Wood or Bamboo Skewers

Instead of pre-soaking bamboo skewers I use a grill guard which protects the exposed ends of the bamboo skewers from the open flames.

I make my own using a double sheet of heavy foil placed underneath the end (under both ends if the pointed end is also exposed) of the skewer.

Great Kabob Recipes Need Great Marinade Recipes

Most kabob recipes include a tasty marinade which acts to infuse flavors into the ingredients and moisturize or tenderize the ingredients before grilling. The flavors of the kabob recipes can be changed to be sweet, spicy or with a regional theme such as Asian or Mexican flavors.

The kabob recipes I’ve included below each have a marinade or sauce recipe included but bookmark these grilling marinade recipe links for making up your own kabob recipes.

Steven Raichlen is the King of the Grill and one I spent three intensive days with learning tips for grilling and smoking meats.

His “The Only Marinade Recipe You’ll Ever Need” recipe is great for all meat or fish types as well as vegetables.

It can be used as a marinade or a baste while grilling.

Flavors of fresh garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and fresh herbs (which you can change up) will make your mouth water even before tasting it.

Epicurious published a list of 33 Best Grilling Marinade Recipes which span the gamut of every flavor profile and ethnic recipe persuasion imaginable.

I would be surprised if you don’t find a few things you love here!

Best Grilled Kabob Recipes

The fun of kabob recipes is the flexibility in my opinion.

They can be as easy as rounding up what you have in your refrigerator and freezer to make up your own, or picking a starting protein and going from there.

This collection of Best Grilled Kabob Recipes is broken into the major proteins and include non-meat options too. They span different flavor profiles and are all easy to make.

Chicken Kabob Recipes

Chicken kabob recipes are some of the most popular due to the popularity of chicken and the neutrality of its flavor. Chicken has a pleasing texture when grilled and absorbs marinades like a champ.

Grilled Chicken Thigh Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce. A classic Asian dish, when I lived in Singapore this was a favorite. We’d go out to eat very late to beat the heat, and head to a Hawker Center to enjoy a mix of dishes. Marinated strips of chicken on bamboo skewers with a spicy peanut sauce is always a favorite and you can make it at home! Chicken thigh meat is used which stay moister when grilling.

Grilled Chicken Thigh Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Satay is a Southeast Asian staple and easy to prepare on the grill. Marinated strips of chicken are skewered and quickly grilled then served with peanut dipping sauce. They can be an addition to your grilling meal or a full meal themselves. The chicken is moist, succulent, flavorful and the dipping sauce is heavenly.

Check out this recipe

Easy Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs. A colorful mix of chicken and vegetables in a red wine vinegar-oil-chili sauce marinade makes succulent, flavorful kabobs everyone will love.

Easy Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs

Easy Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs are a great one dish meal off the grill or can be broiled. Leaving a bit of space between the ingredients to ensure thorough cooking.

Check out this recipe

Fajita Chicken Kebab {Well Plated}. One of my favorite recipes on Boulder Locavore is Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and I can’t think of anything better than to turn them into a kabob recipe.

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs {Dinner At The Zoo}. the flavors of chicken, red onion, pineapple and green pepper are combined with a sweet marinade for a taste of the Islands on a skewer.

Chicken Skewers with Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Taratur) {Diethood.: Similar to a chicken satay, these chicken skewers are marinated and grilled then served with a refreshing Cucumber Garlic Yogurt Sauce.

Beef Kabob Recipes

Beef Kabob recipes offer a filling and flavor-packed option. A variety of steak can be used for these skewers with a stronger flavored marinade to stand up to the beef flavor.

Asian Beef Skewers {Diethood}. Garlic, ginger and soy sauce are signature flavors in these gorgeous top round steak kabobs.

Marinated Beef Kabobs {Kalyns Kitchen}. A shish kabob in the truest sense, these meat-only kabobs are marinated in a beef broth or red wine herb marinade using a choice of steak.

Grilled Balsamic Beef Kabobs {Joyful Healthy Eats}. Tomato, garlic, balsamic vinegar and honey give key flavor notes in these top sirloin kabobs.

Shrimp & Fish Kabob Recipes

Shrimp and fish kabob recipes are light and usually cook very quickly due to the lack of fat.

Grilled Thai Shrimp-Pineapple Skewers. Simple shrimp and pineapple skewers with classic Thai flavors  are ready in a flash for a light delicious meal.

Grilled Thai Shrimp-Pineapple Skewers

These fresh flavorful skewers offer a taste of Thai flavors with a bit of heat from jalapeno chilies, coconut milk and lemongrass complimented by the natural sweetness of fresh grilled pineapple. The skewers grill in 4 minutes total, leaving the shrimp with a wonderful texture without being overdone.

Check out this recipe

Grilled Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Skewers

This easy recipe for Grilled Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Skewers may be increased to feed a larger crowd by increasing the ingredients proportionally (e.g. doubling, tripling). Servings sizes will depend on diners appetites. With side dishes a skewer of 5 shrimp per diner is perfect.

Check out this recipe

Caribbean Grilled Salmon Kabobs {Joyful Healthy Eats}. Salmon lovers will be thrilled with the chunks of salmon and the tropically-inspired flavors of these kabobs.

Lamb Kabob Recipe

Lamb Kabobs {Wanna Bite}. Are a traditional meat in kabob recipes and these skewers include a touch of saffron and lemon for Middle Eastern flavor.

Pork Kabob Recipes

Like chicken, pork is a lightly flavored meat making it a great candidate for marinating. It also is lean so watching is closely when grilling is key to prevent it from drying out. Sausage makes a great kabob recipe due to having a higher fat content (great for flavor and staying moist). 

Grilled Cheesy Sausage Pineapple Skewers. This recipe was originally developed as a simple tailgating recipe. Only three ingredients make a tasty appetizer or main dish (double is making a main dish and use metal skewers due to the weight of the ingredients).

Grilled Cheesy Sausage Pineapple Skewers

These Grilled Cheesy Sausage Pineapple Skewers are extremely easy to make, are portable and cook in about 5 minutes. Perfect for grill parties, tailgating and camping too. The mix of salty, sweet, and smoky flavors makes them a favorite every time. Served with individual disposable cups of barbecue keeps the mess down too. The recipe may be multiplied for larger numbers of skewers keeping the proportions the same. Also the skewers may be made in half size for appetizers too using 1-2 pieces of sausage, 1 piece of pineapple and 2 layers of onion.

Check out this recipe

Char Grilled Tahini Pork Skewers {Donna Hay}. Flavors of coconut, fish sauce, bird’s eye chili, peanut, tahini and more combine for a robust marinade for these quick-grilling lean pork skewers.

Paella Kebabs {Sweet C’s Designs}. This kabob recipe really fits an ‘all of the above’ category containing chicken, shrimp and spicy sausage as in the original form Spainish classic Paella recipe!

Non-Meat Kabob Recipes

Not everyone wants meat! Hard for carnivores to imagine during grilling season but these veggie kabob and fruit options will be welcome by everyone.

Grilled Wedge Salad Skewers {Pop Shop America}. These are a grilled spin on the classic Wedge Salad and a fun addition to a grilled meal.

Spicy Honey Vegetable Kabobs {Savory Experiments}. All your favorite summer vegetables in a beautiful spicy honey sauce.

Grilled Tempeh Vegetable Skewers with Habanero-Pineapple Sauce {Kitchen Confidante}. Some plant great protein with vegetables doused in a spicy sweet Habanero Pineapple Sauce.

Grilled Fruit Kabobs with Cinnamon Honey Glaze {I Heart Naptime}. Dessert, anyone? A grilled fruit kabob recipe drizzled in chocolate. Need I say more?

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