The BEST Shish Kabobs (with Beef)

Shish Kabobs are easy to make and always delicious. Fire up your grill, and let’s get started on this juicy, flavorful summertime grilling recipe. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this healthy, satisfying dinner ready in no time.

Whether you know these grilled skewers of flavorful marinated meat and fresh veggies as shish kabobs, shish kebabs, or just Kabobs, you’ll be wowed by how versatile and delicious this easy recipe is.

This is a Beef Kabobs recipe, but you can use any meat you like. Chicken Kabobs or Shrimp Kabobs are just as mouthwatering. And if you don’t eat meat, you can still come along for the party because Vegetable Kabobs are on the menu too.

What You’ll Need

Shish kebobs are made of marinated beef cubes and well-seasoned peppers, onions, and mushrooms layered on skewers. I love cooking shish kabobs on the grill, but you can just as easily broil them or use a grill pan if you don’t have a grill.

• Bamboo or Metal Skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them.
• Meat. 3 lbs of top sirloin steaks, cut into 2-inch cubes. You can also use diced chicken breast, chicken thighs, or shrimp on these grilled shish kebobs.
• Marinade. Marinate the beef for 2 to 6 hours before grilling. This recipe uses a savory and delicious marinade for beef kebobs.
• Veggies for kebobs. Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms. Season them well with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you like.

What kind of meat do you use for kabobs?

The best cut of beef for steak kabobs is top sirloin, hands down, because it’s both tender and flavorful. Top sirloin steak is relatively inexpensive and delicious when grilled or broiled.

You can also use beef tenderloin, but it’s a bit more pricey.

A savory marinade only makes steak better. It helps tenderize the meat and adds additional flavor.

Tougher cuts of meat, such as flap steak or bottom round, can be marinated for longer to ensure they get tender. However, try not to marinate the meat longer than overnight.

Marinade For Beef Shish Kabob Recipe

I use my Steak Marinade Recipe when making beef kebobs. It’s a simple recipe that never fails to add flavor to grilled meat. The main ingredients are:

• Soy sauce
• Lemon juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Crushed red pepper

Marinade Variations

Try a few of these easy swaps to change up your marinade game.

• The Simplest Marinade: Italian salad dressing and soy sauce.
• Greek Marinade: Swap the Italian Seasoning for Oregano or Cavender’s Greek Seasoning Blend.
• Teriyaki Marinade: Use pineapple juice instead of lemon juice; leave out the Italian Seasoning and the Worcestershire. Add in a few tablespoons of brown sugar.
• Huli Huli Marinade: This savory and sweet Hawaiian marinade is amazing on beef, chicken, and pork.

The Veggies

There are countless ways to change this recipe by changing the veggies used. Some vegetables grill better than others. Make sure to season the vegetable well before skewering.

The best veggies for shish kabobs are:

• Bell peppers. Use a mixture of green, yellow, and red bell peppers. They add so much color to shish kabobs.
• Onions. Any onion will do. This recipe works with white onions, red onions, yellow onions, and even shallots.
• Mushrooms. Mushrooms are great on the grill. Use small mushrooms about the size of the chunks of meat. If you have larger mushrooms, you can slice them in half before skewering.
• Zucchini and yellow squash are both vegetables that are plentiful in the summer. They both grill up nicely.
• Cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes, a refreshing burst of acidity, and beautiful color to shish kabobs.
• Corn. Break or cut fresh corn on the cob into 2 to 3-inch pieces. They are a juicy addition to any grilled kebab.
• Pineapple chunks (technically not a vegetable 🤪) add sweetness and a bright pop of color to these savory skewers.

How To Cook Shish Kebobs

Shish kebobs are usually grilled but can also be cooked in the oven.

1. Make the marinade.
2. Cut the beef into 2-inch cubes.
3. Marinate the meat for several hours.
4. Prepare the veggies.
5. Skewer the meat and veggies.
6. Grill the shish kabobs or bake them in the oven.

Preparing The Grill

1. Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates to prevent grilling. If the grill is too hot, it will char the veggies before the meat cooks.
2. Cook the skewers for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Only flip them once to avoid damaging the veggies as they cook.
3. Medium-rare. Grill beef kabobs on medium-high heat until the internal temperature is 125℉ for medium rare.
4. Let them rest. After removing the beef kebobs from the grill, cover them with foil and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

How to Cook Beef Kabobs In The Oven

If you don’t have a grill, NO problem. You can cook these beef kabobs in the oven. Here’s how:

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Place the kebobs on a baking sheet and cook in the oven until the meat is fully cooked. The time will vary depending on the size of the meat cubes.
3. Use a probe thermometer (affiliate link) to check for the desired internal temperature.

FAQs and Expert Tips

Hungry For More Beef Recipes?

Nothing hits the spot like beef when you’re ready for a hearty, comforting meal. Check out our collection of Beef Recipes and find a new favorite.

• Beef Fajitas (Sheet Pan Recipe)
• Steak and Sweet Potato Power Bowl
• Spicy Dirty Rice
• All-American Burger Meal Prep Bowl

More Grilling Recipes