29 Skewers and Kebabs for Your Next Cookout
Quick, what’s the funnest way to eat a bunch of meat? If you said “on a stick!” you’re in the right place. Our best kebab recipes will have the whole crowd clamoring for another bite. Below, you’ll find ideas for juicy chicken skewers, fragrant charred lamb kebabs, classic yakitori, flavor-packed grilled seafood, and hearty veggie skewers too. Mix and match a few skewer recipes or pick one as your main course, rounding out the meal with rice or pita and a summer salad. Grilling on a round surface? Bendy skewers will allow you to make the most of every inch. So load up on charcoal, invite some friends over, and scroll down to get all the skewer recipes you’ll need for this summer and beyond.
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo3/29Habanero BBQ Shrimp
Crank up the heat with these sweet and spicy grilled shrimp skewers. “I made this last weekend for dinner and it was such a hit I am making it again this weekend for an appetizer,” writes one reviewer.
Photo by Alex Lau6/29Grilled Scallops With Creamed Corn
Skewering scallops keeps them from falling in between the grill grates. Serving them with creamy fresh corn makes for the ultimate summer dinner.
Photo by Luke Albert, Food Styling by Tamara Vos, Prop Styling by Louie Waller8/29Spiced Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Cauliflower With Mango
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime9/29Chicken Seekh Kebabs
The best part about grilling ground chicken instead of big cubes of meat is that you can mix in as many herbs and spices as you wish. (Also, cheese!)
Photo by Hirsheimer & Hamilton10/29Spiced Salmon Kebabs
Threading the salmon pieces onto two skewers keeps them from spinning when you turn them on the grill. There’s no lengthy marinade required here; just the quick application of chopped fresh oregano, sesame seeds, ground cumin, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve with cooling tzatziki for dipping.
Photo by Ray Kachatorian13/29Honey-Sriracha Chicken Skewers
Lovers of Buffalo wings will adore these spicy chicken kabobs. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20 minutes before you start threading on the meat.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro14/29Jerk Shrimp With Pineapple Salad
Store-bought Jamaican jerk seasoning paste is the secret to this showstopper. Sweet pineapple, tossed with cucumber, onion, fresh cilantro, and tart lime juice, balances the spice of the shrimp skewers.
Photo by Peden + Munk16/29Chicken Spiedie Skewers
This chicken is tasty enough to serve straight up, but we wouldn’t stop you from putting it on soft Italian bread, either. Complete the feast with a Greek salad and corn on the cob.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Greg Lofts17/29Aspara Bacon
Salty, meaty bacon renders nicely on the grill, making this one of the best bites of asparagus you’ll have all season long.
Photograph by Scott Semler, food styling by Mieko Takahashi, prop styling by Emma Ringness18/29Sprite-Grilled Chicken Skewers
You read that right: lemon-lime soda gives this marinade its pop—and helps to properly tenderize the meat before grilling. Serve the skewers with rice—or scrape the meat into tortillas and top with an easy corn salad for chicken tacos.
Photo by Issy Croker19/29Potato, Paneer, and Sweet Corn Kebab
For this vegetarian take on seekh kebabs, you’ll season a mix of sweet corn, carrots, potato, and grated paneer with a classic spice blend including cardamom, black pepper, and dried mango powder.
Peden and Munk Taylor and Jen20/29Moroccan Chicken Brochettes
These cubes of paprika-spiced chicken thighs are grilled on skewers and topped with garlicky yogurt, chopped tomatoes, and mint.
Lara Ferroni21/29Grilled Shrimp With Honey-Ginger Barbecue Sauce
Meet your new favorite barbecue sauce, an easily assembled concoction made with apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, hot sauce, ketchup, and garlic.
Austin Bush23/29Curry-and-Coconut-Milk-Grilled Pork Skewers
Pork shoulder isn’t just for low-and-slow days in the smoker; cut it into strips and marinate with coconut milk, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, curry powder, and turmeric, and you’ve got a flavorful meal after just four minutes cook time on the grill.
Photograph by Maria Be, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua25/29Ajwaini Paneer Tikka Skewers
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Dawn Perry27/29Ginger-Coconut Chicken, Eggplant, and Tomato Skewers
