27 Best Grilled Kabob Recipes

Fill your summer with a flavorful array of grilled kebabs. While they're most often associated with the Middle East, their ease and versatility have spread worldwide. Ideal for any protein, from meats like lamb, chicken, pork, or beef to vegetarian options, kebabs are the perfect opportunity to taste international cuisines without leaving home.

The word kebab is Turkish for "skewer." It's also spelled kabab, kabap, and kebap, and shish (or sheesh) kebab is likely the most familiar for many people. No matter what you call it, the kebab is simply meat threaded onto a skewer, either alone or with veggies, then grilled. The beauty of kebabs is that the large cubes of meat cook faster than whole cuts, so they require just a few minutes on a hot grill.

Kabob Koobideh (Persian Grilled Kebabs)

Beyond having a well-stocked spice cupboard, there are a few keys to a successful kebab barbecue. First, many recipes rely on a marinade, so you'll want to plan ahead and give those spices 30 minutes to several hours to permeate your protein of choice. Then, you'll need to prepare the skewers. While metal options are convenient and reusable, you can also go the classic route with bamboo. You'll need to soak bamboo skewers so they don't burn on the grill. With everything prepped and the grill hot, simply oil the grates, then turn the kebabs often to ensure even cooking.

With those tips in mind, let's explore all of the fantastic kebab recipes you won't want to miss.