Beef Kebab Marinade

At the height of grilling season, beef kebabs are one of the most fun dishes on the menu. Grilled steak dinners with vegetables are great on their own, but put them on a stick and it's time to party! The secret to a perfect beef kebab is a great homemade marinade, and we've got one for you. Made with fridge and pantry staples, it's easy to whisk up in mere minutes, but tastes like it took all day. New to marinating? Here's a quick 101 on how to marinate and grill kebabs like a pro.

How do you make a marinade?

The secret to a good marinade is to make sure it includes salt, acid, fat, and flavor. This simple marinade leans on balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire for flavor, salt, and acid; olive oil, which helps the meat absorb the flavors and keeps it from sticking to the grill; plus a little honey and mustard to help the marinade come together. Feel free to substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand. Trade out the balsamic for apple cider vinegar or sherry vinegar; swap the salty Worcestershire for soy sauce; trade the honey for brown sugar.

How long can you marinate beef kebabs?

For most cuts of beef, marinate for at least one hour and up to overnight for the best flavor and texture. Kebabs are great for marinating, because the smaller pieces of meat allow the marinade to soak almost all the way through from the surface to the interior of the meat.

What cuts of beef are best for kebabs?

Since there's a marinade involved, it's okay to use a slightly less expensive cut of beef, like sirloin, which can handle sitting in the marinade for up to six hours. If you only have an hour to marinate, opt for a pricier, more tender cut, like New York strip. If you're really short on time (and money is no object!) splurge on beef tenderloin, which only needs a quick 30-minute soak in the marinade.

Can you assemble beef kebabs ahead of time?

Absolutely! After the beef has marinated for the desired amount of time, thread it onto the skewers with the vegetables, then transfer them to a sealable container and refrigerate them overnight. Let them come to room temperature before grilling.

Can I make beef kebabs on a grill pan?

Sure thing! Just be sure to open a window and turn on the vent fan, because grill pans can get a little smoky. Follow Ree Drummond's tips for cooking steak on a grill pan and give the beef kebabs the same treatment, but skip the rotating and just let the kebabs cook for about 4 minutes on each side.