15 Grilled Skewers You'll Want to Try at Every Summer Cookout
Perfectly charred food on a stick is the ultimate snack!
During the summer months, when al fresco dining reigns supreme, grilled skewers are the ultimate family meal. Whether they’re threaded with shrimp, chicken, or steak, they are super easy to assemble, excellent at feeding a group, and packed with irresistible flavor. All you have to do is pick your protein (or skip the meat to let summer vegetables shine), choose extra add-ons like peppers, onion, mushrooms, or zucchini, and toss them on the grill—simple as that!
In this collection of skewers and kebabs, you'll find grilling recipes including fun twists on all the classics. There are beef kebabs prepared every which way, whether it’s slathered in a simple marinade or covered in a sticky-sweet glaze. But if you’re looking for chicken dinner ideas, try Greek-inspired kebabs or grilled skewers served with a creamy peanut dipping sauce. If shrimp is your meat of choice, you’re also in luck: Whip up smoky jerk shrimp with a scoop of cilantro-lime rice or bacon-wrapped shrimp with a hint of pineapple for a satisfying meal that’ll basically demand seconds. Ready to get skewering? These foods on a stick will upgrade every summer cookout.
Grilled Chicken Skewers
It doesn’t get any easier than this: Just sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, thread them on skewers, and toss them on the grill until they turn golden. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a couple dozen servings!
Get Ree’s Grilled Chicken Skewers recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice
Brushed with jerk seasoning, these skewers are packed with smoky flavor. Shrimp is threaded with juicy pineapple and served with cilantro-lime rice for a summer meal that tastes like a tropical getaway.
Get Ree’s Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice recipe.
Zucchini Ribbon Skewers
It’s zucchini season! So make the most of it: Thinly sliced zucchini and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, fold on skewers, grilled until charred, and top them with balsamic, parmesan, and basil.
Get Ree’s Zucchini Ribbon Skewers recipe.
Steak Kebabs
If you’re looking for a laid-back dinner idea that’s bursting with zesty Greek flavor, these steak kebabs will hit the spot! They’re plated with tomato salad and cucumber yogurt sauce for a tangy, refreshing finish.
Get Ree’s Steak Kebabs recipe.
Shrimp and Scallop Skewers with Lemon Orzo
Seafood just tastes better on skewers! This recipe features shrimp and scallops soaked in a zippy marinade that pairs perfectly with lemon orzo.
Get Ree’s Shrimp and Scallop Skewers with Lemon Orzo recipe.
Grilled Mushrooms
Slathered in soy-garlic butter, mushrooms are a great side for your summer menu. That’s true whether you’re serving hamburgers or fancy steak.
Get the Grilled Mushrooms recipe.
Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebabs
For a family meal that cooks up in an hour, serve teriyaki meatball kebabs over rice. Each skewer is complete with bell peppers, onions, and broccoli for extra nourishment.
Get Ree’s Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebabs recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Put that summer produce to good use by grilling up these vegetable skewers. Loaded with mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, zucchini, and onions, they brighten up the table.
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Beef Kebabs
These hearty steak kebabs are made for summer cookouts. Hunks of beef are skewered alongside peppers, onions, and mushrooms, but it’s the homemade marinade that really drives it all home.
Get the Beef Kebabs recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
For a light summere meal, try these shrimp skewers. The seafood is quickly marinated in a lemony, garlicky mixture before it’s skewered and grilled.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Steakhouse Kebabs
This recipe features all the tasty fixings on a steakhouse menu: steak, potatoes, and mushrooms. A crunchy romaine salad topped with creamy blue cheese dressing pulls the whole meal together.
Get Ree's Steakhouse Kebabs recipe.
Greek Chicken Kebabs
Skewered with zucchini and onion and paired with tzatziki and pita, these chicken kebabs are a Greek-inspired feast. To make sure the grilled meat stays juicy, chicken thighs are a must!
Get Ree's Greek Chicken Kebabs recipe.
Beef-Vegetable Kebabs with Orzo
To save yourself a step, you can easily prep these colorful kebabs ahead of time—just toss them on the grill once dinnertime rolls around!
Get Ree's Beef-Vegetable Kebabs with Orzo recipe.
Bacon-Shrimp Skewers
Whether you serve them as an appetizer or main, these bacon-wrapped shrimp skewers won’t disappoint! Each kebab even has a chunk of pineapple tucked in there for a sweet-and-salty bite.
Get Ree's Bacon-Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Soy-Ginger Beef Kebabs with Rice
Soy sauce and ginger give this kebab recipe an Asian-inspired twist. The sticky-sweet marinade is brushed over juicy steak, crisp bell pepper, and tender eggplant.
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