When it comes to making quick, easy, and infinitely customizable meals or snacks, nothing is quite as fun as a kebab! They’re versatile and delicious — and what food served on a stick isn’t a party for your mouth?
If you’re looking for ideas to spice up your summer meal plan, why not mix and match some kebabs?
Start With Proteins
Any good kebab starts with your favorite protein. So what are you in the mood for?
Bratwurst, chorizo, and various types of sausage chop up easily and add a great burst of flavor to your kebab. Chicken breast or salmon are both amazing too. Shrimp on the barbie is iconic when you’re talking about kebabs.
There are options for the vegetarians or vegans in your life, too — tofu grills up beautifully on a kebab, and so do mushrooms.
Add Fruits & Vegetables
You can fill your skewer with protein, but as they say, variety is the spice of life. Pick a couple of fruits or veggies to change things up and add more flavor.
A cube of firm avocado, some bright cherry tomatoes, or chunks of bell pepper or green and yellow onion can give you a burst of flavor. Mushrooms, potatoes, and zucchini are all good choices too, but you’re not limited to vegetables.
Consider adding some tropical fruit like mango or pineapple to your kebab for the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Choose Other Additions
There are plenty of other things you can add to a kebab, depending on your tastes and the flavor profile you’re going for. Dense cheeses like feta and halloumi are perfect.
You can also add all sorts of starches and tasty carbs, from mini perogies and toaster waffles to pancakes, bread, and even soft pretzels and pound cake. The possibilities are endless!
Pick a Marinade
As tasty as all these things are, a kebab just wouldn’t be a kebab without a marinade or a dipping sauce to up the flavor quotient. Just like the rest of your selections, your possibilities are nearly limitless.
Top a veggie kebab with Italian dressing, or throw pesto on a tofu and pepper mix. Teriyaki sauce or soy sauce both bring some serious umami flavor.
You can always go with the classics, too, from barbeque sauce and hot sauce to marinara, or you can make things a little fancier. Add some maple syrup to a breakfast kebab or some olive oil and balsamic vinegar to nearly anything to elevate the flavors.
Mix and Match!
Now we get to the fun part — mixing and matching to build your perfect kebab!
Take a trip to Germany with the combination of bratwurst, onions, potatoes, and soft pretzels, paired with a beer and cheese marinade.
Or maybe chicken sausage with pineapple, green onions, bell peppers, and a Jamaican jerk marinade for a bit of spice. You’re only limited by your imagination and tastebuds!
No matter how you mix it up, summertime and kebabs are a match made in heaven!