Every cuisine has its own version of meat on a stick. And why not? Kebabs pack a big flavor punch, are easy to make, and quick to cook. These twists on classic kebabs use marinades, spice pastes, rubs, and dipping sauces to bring the flavors of Japan, Turkey, India, and Mexico—to name a few—to your own backyard. Need some pointers? See Pete Evans’tips for grilling kebabs, including which skewers are best.
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RecipeSoutheast Asian Chicken Wings
These may look unusual, but stretching out chicken wings on a skewer increases the amount of exposed skin that crisps up during cooking and they absorb more of the marinade and smoky flavors from the grill. What’s more, wings on a stick are fun to eat. -
RecipeBeef Kebabs with Cherry Peppers & Oregano
These grilled marinated beef skewers are based on a traditional appetizer at many Boston pizzerias, most famously Santarpio’s in East Boston. Spicy-tangy cherry peppers give the dish a delicious kick. -
RecipeSpicy-Smoky Mexican Pork Kebabs
Mexican night just got a little more fun. Here, pork tenderloin is threaded onto skewers, alternating with onion, poblano chiles, and crunchy radishes. Pair the kebabs withGrilled Butternut Squash Skewersor use as a filling for warm tortillas. -
RecipeScallop & Mushroom Rosemary Kebabs
Two for one: Firm, woody rosemary sprigs not only add flavor, but they also make the best skewers. -
RecipeJapanese Chicken Kebabs (Yakitori)
In Japan, yakitori (which means “grilled bird” in Japanese) can be made from any part of the chicken, including the liver, heart, and gizzard; this version pairs thighs with a sweet-and-savory soy-ginger marinade, which is also used as a basting sauce that caramelizes on the chicken as it cooks. -
RecipeLamb Skewers with Green Olive & Mint Sauce
Cook these cumin-scented lamb kebabs over the grill or under the broiler, then drizzle on the chunky olive-mint vinaigrette. For a complete meal, serve the kebabs on a bed of couscous tossed with diced red peppers, and Cucumber & Feta Salad with Mint & Dill on the side. -
RecipeTurkish Lamb Kofte
Found all over Turkey and the Middle East, köfte (KOF-ta) are essentially meatballs, often made from lamb. They’re traditionally served with warm flatbread, raw onions, and plain yogurt, but they're also delicious paired here with a bright, tangy yogurt sauce. -
RecipeGrilled Chicken & Strawberries with Balsamic Syrup
It’s not the protein on a skewer here, it’s the chicken’s sweet and savory accompaniment. Grilling gives the strawberries a slightly smoky flavor and a striking appearance. Balsamic vinegar adds a rich note that highlights and deepens the flavor of both and ties the meal together. -
RecipeLamb Kebabs in Pomegranate-Walnut Marinade
We're inspired by theKebab-e Torshin Louisa Shafia's bookThe New Persian Kitchen. The sweet-and-sour kebabs are from Gilan Province in northern Iran, where people like their food extra tart. -
RecipeSalmon and Asparagus Skewers with Aïoli
Hearty salmon is a perfect fish for the grill, especially with asparagus and a tangy aïoli. If the weather’s not right for grilling outdoors, try the skewers on a grill pan. -
RecipeIndonesian Beef Satay
Satay is a street-food favorite for a reason: the meat is tender as butter and beautifully charred, and the sauce is rich and spicy. This version substitutes cashews for the traditional peanuts, giving the sauce an ultra-creamy texture and flavor. -
RecipeSpicy Grilled Pork & Grape Kebabs
Based on traditional tapas from Spain, the spice rub for these kebabs is made of a fragrant mix of curry powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, and cinnamon. It can also be used to flavor grilled vegetables, chicken, or other meats. -
RecipeCypriot Sausage Kebabs (Sheftalia)
These savory sausages, which come from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, can be grilled on skewers or directly on the grill. The trick to really great sheftalia is to ask your butcher to grind the pork butt for you. Regular ground pork is so lean, the sheftalia will likely be too dry if you use it. -
RecipeLemony Moroccan-Style Chicken Kebabs
The trick to these citrusy kebabs is actually microwaving the lemons to duplicate the flavor of preserved lemons. Then, the lemon peel is puréed and incorporated in both an herb-spice marinade and a lemon-yogurt sauce. -
RecipeGrilled Steak Kebab Pitas with Ginger & Garlic Dressing
Add some Mediterranean flair to tonight's grilled steak. These kebabs are simple yet flavorful; the ginger and garlic dressing drizzled over the meat and vegetables adds plenty of zing to the finished dish. -
RecipeIndian Chicken Tikka
Not to be confused withchicken tikka masala, the creamy tomato-and-chicken curry beloved (and claimed) by Brits and Indians alike, chicken tikka refers to yogurt-marinated grilled chicken kebabs, native to India. -
RecipeAncho-Marinated Pork and Mango Skewers
Skewering chunks of meat along with vegetables or fruit is a great way to bring sensible portions to your cookout: You get the perfect protein portion, but your plate is dominated by two big, bountiful, meaty kebabs. -
RecipeHoney-Glazed Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Peach Skewers
Here, juicy chunks of chicken, sweet potatoes, peaches, and onions are grilled with a sweet-tart glaze, then sprinkled with crunchy grilled spiced pecans. -
RecipeGrilled Lamb-Kebab Salad with Cucumber, Tomatoes & Pita
Main-dish salads are summer's answer to the one-bowl weeknight meal, while kebabs are summer's answer to all-in-one grilling. They're super easy to put together, and in this case, light but complete. -
RecipeBeef Kebabs with Soy Sauce, Cumin & Orange Zest
Here, tender and juicy rib-eyes absorb an Asian-inspired marinade made with soy sauce, garlic, cumin, coriander, citrus, and a pinch of cayenne for a little heat to counter the sweet. -
RecipeSesame-Ginger Tofu & Shiitake Kebabs
Extra-firm tofu is meaty and filling, and absorbs the potent flavors of a marinade, making it a fine addition to summer kebabs, whether you're a strict vegetarian or just an occasional one. -
RecipeSpicy Thai Shrimp Kebabs
这些烤肉串合并两个可口的酱汁:一个with garlic, ginger, jalapeño, and scallions to brush on just before grilling, and the other with lemongrass, lime, cilantro, basil, and sriracha for drizzling and dipping. -
RecipePunjabi Lamb Kebabs
This basic Indian kebab recipe hasn't changed much since the sixteenth century, though it does includes chilies and chaat masala, a spice mixture containing sour mango powder, roasted cumin, cayenne, and other seasonings. -
RecipeYogurt-Marinated Pork Kebabs with Cucumber-Lemon Labneh
This flavorful dish pairs juicy Middle Eastern-spiced pork with a lemony spread made by straining yogurt to make labneh, an ultra-thick salted yogurt cheese. The pork and labneh both need an overnight rest in the fridge, so plan ahead. Sumac is a brick-red spice with a lemony flavor. It’s a pretty touch, but if you don’t have it, simply leave it out.
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