People have been putting food on sticks for ages. Lately, though, the grilling world has embraced the art of the skewer and started a trend! Overall, kebabs are easy to make and fun to eat, but they can be tricky. That's why we're here to help!
The tricky part of making killer kebabs is that the foods you choose have to compliment each other. Not only are they going to be cut into pieces, exposing their juices and flavors, but then those pieces are going to be in close quarters for the duration of the grilling process. When those flavors mingle like that, it either works or it doesn't, and its not something you can just throw together and hope for the best. But don't worry, thanks to our friends over at Fix.com, we've got your shish-kebab saving grace.
1. Chicken
One of our favorite kebabs is chicken, paired with pineapple and onion. For an added bonus, add sweet BBQ sauce, either as a marinade before you grill or a dipping sauce afterwards. However, if you're a "no pineapple on pizza" kind of person, you may not be a fan of this either. But don't worry, we've got another chicken option for ya.
2. Fish
We're gonna start by noting that all fish is NOT created equal. We recommend using swordfish, because most other types of fish are too flaky to stay on a skewer. That being said, feel free to try... but we warned you. The best food pairings with fish are tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers.
3. Beef
Beef is the safest option for kebabs because the flavor of beef goes well with almost any veggie on the market. Even so, we recommend sticking to the classics if its your first time..um..skewing? Anyway... the best basic combo is beef, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers.
4. Pork
Pork is a traditional skewer option, but it can go downhill fast. As crazy as it sounds, pork goes best with fruits and other sweeter options. For example, try using mangos, pineapples, or peaches. If that's too sweet for you, you can always counter it with onions.
5. Shrimp
Shrimp is made for skewers. Not really, but it might as well be. You can pair almost anything with shrimp, and its easy to get creative with spices or marinades. Our favorite is shrimp, marinated in cajun spice and hot sauce, with pineapple, onion, and red bell peppers.
6. Bacon-Wrapped Pork
Yes, its different than just pork. The pairings for this depend on the kind of bacon you use. With maple bacon, try countering the sweetness with onions and broccoli. For hickory-smoked bacon (our fave!) try embracing the smokiness with apples and onions.
7. Chicken (again)
Told you we'd have another option! This one is easyyyyyy. Chicken with zucchini and yellow squash. Pro tip: this one can turn out kind of bland, so don't be afraid to season, marinate, or dip! We recommend throwing some lemon on there too, just for flavor's sake.
8. Sausage
If you've ever had the pleasure of enjoying a crawfish boil, this one's for you! Sausage, boiled potato slices, and boiled corn-on-the-cob slices! It takes a little more prep work, but its worth it. You can even throw a shrimp or two on the kabob for a little creole flare.
If you're looking to have even more fun grilling your kebab combos, check out our spatula and tongs with lights.