Amazingly Easy Beef Shish Kebob Recipe for Your Grill or the Oven

We all know that grilling is a great way to cook up a delicious and healthy meal, but sometimes it can be hard to come up with something new and exciting. If you’re like me and always looking for an easy and tasty dish to add to your repertoire, check out this beef shish kebab recipe! Whether you decide to make kebabs on the grill or in the oven, they are simple to make and sure to please the whole family. 

What is Shish Kebab?

Shish kabobs, also spelled kebab, is a dish consisting of small pieces of meat (or vegetables) threaded onto a skewer. Traditionally, shish kabobs are made with lamb or beef, but they can also be made with chicken or vegetables. A perfect kabob will be slightly charred or seared on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.

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One of the great things about shish kabobs is their versatility. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, and you can also experiment with different types of meat. If you’re in the mood for something light, try chicken or fish. Beef or lamb are the more traditional options. For you vegetarians out there, shish kabobs made with mushrooms or tofu can be just as delicious as those made with meat.

There are two main ways to cook shish kabobs: grilling and baking. Grilling is the traditional method and will give the kabobs a nice char flavor. Cooking outside also means easy clean-up, which is always a win in my book. 

What Is The Best Meat For Shish Kebabs?

When it comes to shish kabobs, there are a few different types of meat that you can choose from. However, not all meats are created equal when it comes to shish kabobs. The best, and most common, meat for shish kabobs is beef. Beef is rich, flavorful, and benefits from being cooked over an open flame. This allows the outside of the beef to get nicely seared while the inside remains juicy and tender.

Chicken is another popular option for shish kabobs, but it can be difficult to keep chicken breasts from drying out on the grill. For the juiciest, most flavorful chicken shish kabobs, make sure your pieces are similar in size.  Cooking them in the oven first and then finishing them on the grill will also help lock the moisture into chicken kebabs.  

Tip: A Butcherbox subscription lets you try out different cuts and types of meats.

What Cut Of Beef Is Best For Kabobs?

Shish kabobs are a delicious and easy way to enjoy beef, but what cut of beef is best for kabobs? To get tender flavorful meat, look for a cut that has fat marbling. This will keep the meat moist during cooking. Beef chuck roast, rib eye, or sirloin are all good choices.

What Vegetables Are Good For Shish Kabobs?

Summer is the perfect time of year to fire up the grill and enjoy a delicious meal outdoors. One of my personal favorite easy summer meals is shish kabobs. They’re easy to make, versatile, and a great way to use garden produce.  Choose vegetables that are firmer and can stand the heat and time needed for grilling or baking with the beef kebabs.  I like to use bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms as they can all withstand high heat and maintain a firm texture.  Garden fresh zucchini or summer squash also work well.  These vegetables are slightly less firm than the others, but they still hold up well on the grill while adding a touch of sweetness. 

Make sure that the vegetables are cut into uniform pieces so that they cook evenly. Avoid slicing zucchini or mushrooms too thin as they will cook too fast and then fall off the skewers.  

When it comes to seasoning vegetable kebabs, feel free to experiment. A simple marinade of olive oil and garlic with salt and black pepper is always a good choice, or you can try something different like curry powder or cumin. Whichever seasonings you choose, make sure to give the shish kabobs plenty of time to marinate so that the flavors can really sink in.

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What Seasonings Are Good On Shish Kabobs?

Another thing I love about kebabs is that it is easy to change up the seasonings to accommodate individual tastes.  My husband loves spicy food, so I add extra peppers and spice mixes to his,  while I focus on milder seasonings for the kids.  Seasonings are a great way to add flavor to beef shish kabobs without adding any extra fat or calories.  Here are a few of my favorites:

• Rosemary, thyme, garlic, and salt
• Paprika, cumin, chili powder,
• Marinades with olive oil, red wine vinegar and soy sauce
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder
• Oregano, garlic, lemon 

How to Make Shish Kebabs

Shish kebabs are so easy to make. Chopped vegetables, cubed meet, and skewers – what’s simpler than that?

Preparing the Kebabs

Whether you are making shish kebabs in the oven or on the grill, make sure everything is prepared properly. If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using as this prevents them from burning. If you’re using metal skewers, spray them lightly with oil and then thread the meat and vegetables onto them.

Use a sharp knife to cut your meat and vegetables in uniform sizes on a cutting board to ensure they cook evenly.

Recipe for Amazing Beef Shish Kebabs

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 pounds lean beef steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (I like a thick-cut ribeye or sirloin)
• 16 white mushroom caps
• 8 metal skewers, or wood skewers soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
• 3 bell peppers, cut into chunks
• 1 large onion, cut into large chunks

Directions

• Whisk soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic,  thyme, salt, onion powder, and black pepper together in a bowl.
• Pour ¾ of the marinade into a resealable plastic or silicone bag. Add beef cubes and squeeze out excess air; seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
• Add the remaining marinade to a second resealable plastic or silicone bag. Add mushrooms to the bag; squeeze out excess air and reseal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for another 8 hours.
• Remove beef and mushrooms from the marinade, shaking off any excess liquid. 
• Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes; set aside for basting.
• Thread pieces of beef, bell pepper, mushroom, and onion onto metal skewers, repeating until all ingredients are skewered.

How to Grill Shish Kebabs

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning frequently and brushing generously with the reserved marinade until nicely browned on all sides and the beef is no longer pink in the center, about 15 minutes.

How to Cook Shish Kabobs in the Oven?

• Place prepared skewers on a sheet pan or broiler pan. Broil for 4-5 minutes per side or until beef is no longer pink.

How Do You Grill Kabobs Without Burning The Vegetables?

There’s nothing quite like the taste of kebabs. The smoky flavor and charred edges are simply irresistible. However, grilling kebabs can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to cooking delicate vegetables. If you’re having a hard time getting your vegetables to cook on the skewers with the meat, keep vegetables on a separate skewer and cook accordingly.  It isn’t as pretty to look at, but it ensures all your food will be cooked properly.

When I do this, I take the meat and the vegetables off the skewers and mix them together in one serving dish, so you still get the visual effect. Serve with a giant salad and – voila! – supper is served!

What Side Dishes Go With Kebabs?

When it comes to grilled shish kebabs, there are endless possibilities for what to serve them with. That’s one of the great things about kebabs – they’re so versatile! I like to change up the side dishes according to the season. For a refreshing summer dish, add more vegetables such as zucchini, squash, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. In colder weather, choose heartier sides such as rice pilaf or roasted potatoes. Here are a few other ideas:

• Zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, cherry tomatoes
• Grilled red baby potatoes
• Crusty baguettes
• Salad – either a small side salad or use the kebabs as protein on a main salad
• Basmati rice

Beef shish kebabs with vegetables are a standard in my family’s meal rotation. There is something for everyone to love and they can be seasoned according to tastes. Do you have a favorite kebab combination? Share it in the comments below.

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