27 Grilled Kabob Recipes to Cook All Summer Long

April 21, 2011
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Feed a crowd fast with these grilled summer kabob recipes! Easy to make and always delicious, kabobs are the perfect way to serve up a complete dinner from the grill. From quick weeknight dinners with complex flavors to big-batch summer barbecues, these recipes can be adapted for any occasion. Kabobs are your one-stop shop for portable appetizers, hearty entrees, and light side dishes. Not only do they often combine meat, vegetable, starch, and seafood courses all in one, but they provide a playful canvas to experiment with inventive flavor combinations. You can stick to the classics with recipes like Steak and Potato Kabobs or Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage. Or you can try something new, like pairing fruit with cheese on Shrimp, Watermelon, and Halloumi Kabobs (trust us on this one). These recipes will help you venture outside of the box to create a creative, unconventional kabob meal that your guests will rave about. Feel free to serve these dishes on or off the skewer.
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Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

These Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage only take 20 minutes to make, earning them the status of a favorite weeknight dinner. Classic Cajun seasoning is complemented by fresh thyme, oregano, and parsley to bring all those flavors to life.

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Spiced Beef Kabobs with Herbed Cucumber and Tomato Salad Recipe

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Spiced Beef Kabobs with Herbed Cucumber and Tomato Salad

A cool Herbed Cucumber and Tomato Salad complements the heat of these Spiced Beef Kabobs in this classic Middle Eastern dish. Be sure to load up on the sides for a full dining experience.

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Steak-and-Potato Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Steak-and-Potato Kabobs

These hearty steak-and-potato kabobs are the perfect way to stretch your barbecue budget. Plus, they're pre-portioned and easy to serve in the backyard or around the campfire.

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Halloumi-and-Summer Vegetable Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Halloumi-and-Summer Vegetable Kebabs​​​​​​​

Halloumi, a grillable cheese, will be the star of your summer barbecue. Pair this semi-hard cheese with summer vegetables for a great side dish.

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Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs

Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs

All the flavors of the south on a skewer. From shellfish to meat to vegetables, these kabobs offer something for everyone. They’ll bring a dash of Cajun spice to your summer barbecue.

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Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs

We love the fresh, light flavors on these Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs. They're stacked with asparagus and lemon slices that char beautifully on the grill. Plus, they're easy to make ahead and quick to cook!

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Grilled Ratatouille Skewers

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille Skewers

Toss those fresh vegetables from the farmers' market or your garden onto these Grilled Ratatouille Skewers for a stunning French side dish made simple.

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Grilled Pork Meatball Kabobs

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Grilled Pork Meatball Kabobs

These Grilled Pork Meatballs incorporate Gochujang, a Korean chile sauce, and are garnished with cilantro and peanuts. The adventerous sweet-and-spicy dish can be served as an appetizer or a main course.

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Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Arugula Pesto

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Arugula Pesto

Fresh baby arugula pesto brings a pop of summer freshness to this light summer meal. You can even use any leftover grilled chicken kabobs to top a big, fresh salad.

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Chicken-and-Shrimp Kabobs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil

Credit: Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Chicken-and-Shrimp Kabobs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil

Take the flavors of Jambalaya and load them up onto a skewer. Elevate this dish with a drizzle of simple-yet-sophisticated basil oil for a stunning dinner centerpiece.

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Loaded Tater Tot Kabobs

Credit: Caleb Zorn

Recipe: Loaded Tater Tot Kabobs

This playful take on a summer side dish will be a favorite at the kids' table. These loaded tater tot kabobs are easy to construct and even more fun to eat.

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Grilled Balsamic-Molasses Bacon

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Grilled Balsamic-Molasses Bacon

Tie fresh rosemary sprigs to the handle of a wooden spoon with garden sisal or kitchen string. Then, use it as an aromatic basting brush for the bacon.

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Buttermilk-and-Honey Chicken Kabobs

Credit: Jim Franco

Recipe: Buttermilk-and-Honey Chicken Kabobs

A buttermilk marinade keeps the chicken on these kabobs moist and tender, while honey adds a hint of sweetness to complement the charred grill flavor. Its balanced flavors make this dish one of our go-to summer staples.

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Apricot Grilled Lamb Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Charles Walton

Recipe: Apricot Grilled Lamb Kabobs

Impress your guests with this delicious, easy recipe for lamb kabobs. Marinated with apricot jam and a teriyaki sauce, these kabobs are full of flavor.

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Summer Vegetable Kabobs

Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Summer Vegetable Kabobs

Deliver a colorful treat from the grill with marinated veggie kabobs. Serve veggies with grilled chicken and wild rice or toss into pasta with basil and Parmesan cheese.

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Pork Kabobs with Tropical Salad and Citrus-Chimichurri Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tropical Salad with Pork Kabobs and Citrus-Chimichurri Vinaigrette

Mangoes and raisins are the perfect accompaniment to citrus-marinated pork tenderloin. Serve atop a bed of spring greens with a Citrus-Chimichurri Vinaigrette.

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Rainbow Greek Salmon Kabobs

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Rainbow Greek Salmon Kabobs

Bring a colorful plate to the table with this Rainbow Greek Salmon Kabobs Recipe. Salmon's light, flaky texture takes well to char, while still maintaining its shape and rich pink color.

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Chicken-Vegetable Kabobs with White BBQ Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken-Vegetable Kabobs with White BBQ Sauce

These Chicken-Vegetable Kabobs pair perfectly with a creamy Alabama White Sauce. You can even swap new veggies to transform the meal– go Mediterranean with cauliflower florets and eggplant.

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Spicy Glazed Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Spicy Glazed Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs

The sweet and tangy shrimp and seasoned vegetables are a complete meal on a stick. Caribbean jerk seasoning gives these kabobs a special, spicy flair.

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Molasses-Balsamic Steak Kabobs with Green Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Molasses-Balsamic Steak Kabobs with Green Tomatoes

Steak, veggies, and fruit compose these colorful kabobs. We also love these kabobs with pork tenderloin and plums in place of steak and peaches.

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Shrimp Boil Skewers

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Skewers

Avoid the mess of a traditional shrimp boil with this playful take on the Southern tradition.

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Shrimp, Watermelon, and Halloumi Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Shrimp, Watermelon, and Halloumi Kabobs

Addictively briny, halloumi cheese is a favorite for grilling, especially when paired with the sweetness of watermelon.

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Fish Kabobs

Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Fish Kabobs

Serve up an assortment of grilled fish lightly seasoned with spices and lemon juice. This is a great weeknight meal for the busy cook.

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Spicy Thai Chicken Kabobs

Recipe: Spicy Thai Chicken Kabobs

Peanut sauce, spiked with fresh lime zest, adds authentic Asian flavor to these Spicy Thai Chicken Kabobs. Pair with a bowl of rice noodles for a tasty version of take-out.

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Rosemary Chicken Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Rosemary Chicken Kabobs

These chicken kabobs are marinated with rosemary, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar, and are paired with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms for an easy weeknight meal. For an easy side, toss 1 (5-oz.) head Bibb lettuce with 1/2 cup drained mandarin oranges. Serve with ginger dressing.

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Grilled Salmon Kabobs

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Grilled Salmon Kabobs

Spice-crusted salmon teams up with the smoky crunch of grilled cucumbers. (If you think cukes are best saved for gazpacho and tea sandwiches, you're in for a delicious surprise.) A creamy yogurt raita, spiked with fresh dill and tangy bits of pickled okra, cools it all down.

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