Grilled Shish Kabobs

These juicy and delicious Grilled Shish Kabobs are the PERFECT summer meal. You'll definitely want to fire up the grill for this easy dinner idea. Load each kabob with your favorite meats, veggies, and get the barbie going.

And while there's no shortage of shish kabob recipes out there, I ran into trouble years ago finding a recipe that was gluten and dairy free. And let me put the emphasis on gluten free because the flavors I enjoy most in my meat marinades, such as soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, aren't always naturally gluten free or manufactured without the risk of cross contamination. Thankfully in this recipe you'll find all the safe ingredients you need for a mouthwatering grilled marinade every time.

After searching for a few years we found a traditional recipe from The Fresh Cooky that could be adapted to gluten and dairy free.

And then meal became an instant hit for our family.

So much so that this has become our favorite steak marinade for the past few years too. Hey, when you find something this good, you just go with it.

Moreover this has become a Christmas dinner must, summer weekend BBQ must, and birthday dinner must too.

safe grilled shish kabob marinade ingredients

• GF Soy Sauce-- San J GF Soy Sauce can be purchased here
• GF Worcestershire Sauce-- locally Lea & Perrins is safe and we use it in several recipes. In Canada check out French brand.
• Dijon mustard-- keep in mind the tradition Grey Poupon brand doesn't list gluten as an ingredient; however there has been lots of concerns regarding cross contamination in their manufacturing process. Or Annie's Organic Dijon Mustard and here is their manufacturing statement
• oil-- grapeseed oil is our go-to
• fresh minced garlic
• salt
• pepper

build-your-own shish kabobs ideas

Your options for shish kabobs are endless!

But you'll always find bell peppers on our kabobs. The chicken and steak combo is a favorite too. Either way you can use what you have on hand for this recipe.

Do you use kabob ideas not listed below? Go ahead and comment below what you grill with.

• chicken
• steak (sirloin is our favorite cut)
• shrimp
• onion
• pineapple
• bell peppers
• mushrooms
• tomatoes
• zucchini
• sliced sections of corn on the cob
• brussels sprouts
• small Yukon potatoes-- skip marinating these and place directly onto the skewers once heated until just tender in the microwave

shish kabob grilling tips

• skewers--use wood skewers or these awesome 12" long stainless steel skewers. If using wood skewers, allow them to soak in water for 30 minutes before threading.
• basting brush-- makes last minute basting on the grill super easy
• cut your veggies so they are the same size as your meat to encourage even cooking, ideally an inch thick
• loosely thread your veggies and meat on the skewers versus mushing everything tightly together. This will help the kabobs to cook evenly instead of having charred edges but raw on the inside.

How to Make Grilled Shish Kabobs

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Set aside ½ cup of the marinade in a separate container and refrigerate for basting later. Pour the remaining marinade into a gallon size Ziploc bag.
2. Add all the kabob ingredients into the bag and seal it. Gently roll the bag to coat everything well, then refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
3. Assemble the kabobs with a variety of veggies and 4-5 pieces of meat per skewer. Spray the grill with nonstick spray and grill the kabobs over medium heat (375°F), turning and basting with the reserved marinade on both sides.
4. Once the meat is cooked through (about 4-5 minutes per side), remove the kabobs from the grill and place on a serving plate. Cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
5. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I marinate these ahead of time?

Yes! The marinade actually works best when given time to soak in -- plan for anywhere from 4 up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before grilling.

What should I serve with these?

These kabobs pair perfectly with a simple side salad, grilled corn, or a scoop of rice to soak up any extra marinade.

What else can I add to my kabobs?

Beyond the build-your-own ideas above, feel free to swap in whatever veggies and proteins your family loves -- this marinade works well with almost any combination.

How should I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

What temperature should the meat be cooked to?

For food safety, chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, while beef and pork are safe at 145°F with a few minutes of rest time. A quick-read meat thermometer is the easiest way to check without cutting into the kabobs and losing those juices.

Can I make these without a grill?

Yes! If you don't have access to a grill, you can broil the kabobs in the oven instead. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet a few inches from the broiler and cook for about the same amount of time, turning occasionally and basting just like you would on the grill.

more gluten + dairy free meal ideas

• homemade sloppy joes-- this yummy recipe is perfect for busy summer nights and it doesn't require the oven
• delicious French dip sandwiches-- pair this with my easy Au Ju recipe and you'll absolutely love this delicious meal
• grilled Hawaiian BBQ chicken pizza-- you'll find this post includes an easy guide to making and grilling your homemade pizza crust to perfection. Then top it with mouthwatering Hawaiian BBQ chicken or your own topping favorites.

lastly

This grilled shish kabob recipe has been a family favorite for years now.

And if you're looking for a tried and tested recipe-- this is it. We enjoy this meal so much we often serve it to company alongside a bed of rice, corn on the cob, and with a fruit salad.

Everyone always raves about this meal everyone can enjoy.

You'll find many more delicious gluten and dairy free meals on my website. Please make yourself at home. There's no need to stress about eating gluten and dairy free anymore.

And the best way to keep up to date on everything gluten and dairy free is to subscribe to my email and follow me on my social media accounts.

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You won't believe how good eating gluten and dairy free can be.

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