Steak Skewers with Fresh Basil Dressing

Steak Kebabs are an absolute summer delight, featuring succulent marinated steak, crisp peppers, and sweet onions, all grilled to smoky perfection. This flavor-packed dinner is not just a meal; it’s an experience that everyone at your table will rave about!

Crafting the Ultimate Grilled Steak Kebabs

Imagine thick, juicy pieces of steak, expertly marinated in a blend of rich, aromatic ingredients, then skewered alongside colorful bell peppers and sweet onions. These skewers are then grilled until tender and beautifully charred, creating the best steak kebabs you’ll ever taste! What truly elevates this dish is a finishing touch of fresh, vibrant basil sauce – a creamy, herbaceous accompaniment that transforms these kebabs into a dinner you’ll find yourself craving all summer long.

Kebabs are a staple in my household throughout the warmer months. They’re quick, customizable, and always a hit. While I adore my favorite chicken kebabs, these steak kebabs offer a robust flavor profile that stands out, making them a regular on our grilling rotation.

What Exactly Are Shish Kebabs?

The term “shish kebab” originates from Turkish, where “shish” means skewer and “kebab” refers to grilled meat. Traditionally, shish kebabs are a popular dish featuring cubes of marinated meat (often lamb, beef, or chicken) threaded onto skewers with various vegetables, then grilled or broiled. This method of cooking over open flames imparts a distinct smoky flavor and ensures the meat remains tender and juicy. Our recipe embraces this classic concept, focusing on tender steak, seasoned with a rich marinade and perfectly paired with crisp vegetables, all cooked together on a skewer for a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Choosing the Best Steak for Your Kebabs

The key to exceptional steak kebabs lies in selecting the right cut of beef. You need a cut that offers both tenderness and a good amount of flavor, preferably with some marbling to keep it moist during grilling. Here are some of the best options:

• Sirloin Steak: For these particular steak kebabs, I highly recommend using a thick cut of sirloin steak, sliced into generous 1½-inch pieces. Sirloin strikes an excellent balance between tenderness and rich beefy flavor, all while remaining an affordable choice. Its texture holds up beautifully on the grill, ensuring succulent results.
• Filet Mignon: If you’re looking to splurge, thick-cut filet mignon chunks make truly incredible kebabs. This cut is renowned for its buttery tenderness, making it a luxurious option that melts in your mouth. However, be prepared for a higher price point.
• Rib-Eye Steak: Another premium alternative that performs wonderfully on kebabs is rib-eye. Its significant marbling ensures incredible flavor and juiciness, making for a truly decadent grilled experience. Like filet mignon, it’s a pricier option but well worth it for special occasions.
• Other considerations: While flank steak or skirt steak can also be used, they tend to be tougher and benefit from longer marinating times and careful slicing against the grain to maximize tenderness. Ensure all steak pieces are cut uniformly to ensure even cooking.

Can You Make Steak Kebabs in the Oven?

While grilling undeniably delivers the best smoky flavor and char for kebabs, you can certainly achieve delicious results by cooking them in the oven. This is a fantastic option when outdoor grilling isn’t feasible or during colder months. Here’s how to do it:

• Preheat and Prepare: Start by positioning your oven rack in the top third of the oven. Preheat the oven to a high temperature, around 450°F (230°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
• Adjust Meat Size: For oven baking, it’s often beneficial to cut the steak into slightly smaller, 1-inch pieces. This helps ensure they cook through more evenly and quickly in the oven’s radiant heat.
• Assemble and Arrange: Once you’ve marinated the meat and prepped your vegetables, thread them onto your skewers. Arrange the filled skewers on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have enough space between them for air circulation and even cooking.
• Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake the kebabs for approximately 8-10 minutes. For medium-rare meat and lightly charred vegetables, you’ll typically rotate the skewers halfway through the cooking time. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary, and you want to avoid overcooking the steak. For an extra touch of char, you can briefly place them under the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

How To Make the Best Steak Kebabs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting the perfect steak kebab is simpler than you think when you follow these key steps. Each stage is designed to maximize flavor and ensure a tender, juicy result.

1. Marinate the Steak: The marinade is crucial for both flavor and tenderness. Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes and black pepper. Cut your sirloin steak into uniform 1½-inch pieces and submerge them in this flavorful mixture. Aim to marinate for at least 30 minutes, and ideally 1-2 hours. Do not marinate for more than 4 hours, as the acid in the vinegar can begin to break down the meat too much, potentially leading to a mushy texture. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
2. Prepare Your Veggies: Cut your bell peppers (use a colorful assortment for visual appeal) and red onion into roughly 1¼-inch pieces. For the onion, try to keep the pieces intact or as large chunks to prevent them from falling off the skewer and to ensure they cook evenly without becoming too soft too quickly. Toss the bell peppers with a light drizzle of vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Lightly drizzle the onion pieces with oil and season them, but avoid excessive tossing to help them maintain their shape.
3. Assemble the Kebabs: Thread the marinated steak and prepared vegetables onto your soaked wooden or metal skewers, alternating ingredients for even cooking and a beautiful presentation. Ensure there’s a small space between each piece to allow heat to circulate, but not so much that they slide freely.
4. Grill to Perfection: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Before placing the kebabs, clean the grill grates thoroughly. Then, using tongs, rub a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil over the hot grates. This prevents sticking and ensures those beautiful grill marks. Place the assembled kebabs on the preheated grill. Grill for 6-9 minutes, or until your desired doneness is reached, rotating them every 2-3 minutes for even cooking and charring on all sides. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125-130°F with an instant-read thermometer (remember, they will continue to cook slightly after removal). Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a platter and let them rest for 5 minutes. This resting period is vital for allowing the juices to redistribute, resulting in incredibly tender and succulent meat.
5. Whip Up the Zesty Basil Sauce: While the kebabs are resting, prepare the fresh basil sauce. In a food processor, pulse together a small minced garlic clove and a tablespoon of minced shallot a few times. Add a cup of packed, coarsely chopped basil leaves and pulse until finely chopped. Incorporate red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste (I typically use about ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper). Pulse a few more times. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in ¼ cup of olive oil until the sauce is smooth and emulsified. Be careful not to over-process with the olive oil, as prolonged exposure to metal blades can sometimes impart a slightly metallic or bitter taste to the olive oil. Serve this vibrant sauce generously on top of or alongside your grilled steak kebabs.

More Delicious Recipes For The Grill

If you’re loving the grill as much as we are, here are some other fantastic recipes to inspire your next outdoor cooking adventure. From flavorful marinades to complete meals, these options will keep your grill busy and your taste buds happy:

• The BEST Chicken Marinade: Transform your chicken with this incredible marinade, ensuring juicy and flavorful results every time.
• Grilled Bruschetta Chicken: A taste of Italy on your grill! Tender chicken topped with fresh bruschetta ingredients.
• The BEST Steak Marinade: Elevate any cut of steak with this foolproof marinade for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Grilled Curry Chicken: Aromatic and spicy, this grilled chicken recipe brings exciting global flavors to your backyard.
• Grilled Pineapple: A sweet and smoky side dish or dessert that perfectly complements any grilled meal.

Veggie & Steak Kebabs

By Chelsea Lords

These grilled Veggie and Steak Kebabs are loaded with juicy steak, vibrant veggies, and tossed in a delicious basil sauce. Perfectly charred on the grill, every bite is a burst of flavor—ideal for a summer cookout or a fun family dinner!

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Marinating: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

• Grill
• Food processor

Ingredients

For the Steak & Veggies

• 1-1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 of a large red onion, cut into chunks
• 4 large bell peppers (e.g., 1 red, 1 orange, 1 yellow, and 1 green), cut into 1-1/4 inch pieces
• Vegetable oil, for grilling and tossing veggies
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Basil Sauce

• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 cup packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1-1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

For the Steak & Assembly

1. Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl: olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and about 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cut the sirloin steak into 1-1/2 inch pieces and add them to the marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, and ideally 1–2 hours. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours to avoid the meat becoming mushy.
2. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling to prevent burning on the grill.
3. Cut red onion and bell peppers into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Place all pepper pieces in a large bowl and lightly drizzle with vegetable oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Lightly drizzle the onion pieces with oil and salt, but avoid excessive tossing so they maintain their chunk form.
4. To assemble kebabs, layer steak and veggies onto the soaked skewers, alternating ingredients. Roll up a paper towel and soak it in vegetable oil. Using tongs, brush the soaked paper towel over clean, fully heated grill grates (to medium-high heat). Place kebabs on the grill and cook for 6–9 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached, rotating every 2–3 minutes for even grilling. Beef should be well seared on all sides, and the center of beef should register between 125–130°F (for medium rare) on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer skewers to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes.

For the Basil Sauce

1. In a food processor, pulse the minced garlic and shallot a few times. Add the basil and pulse until finely chopped. Add the red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and salt/pepper to taste (I typically use about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Pulse a few times. While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until the sauce is smooth. Avoid pulsing the mixture too much once the olive oil is added, as the oil can sometimes react with the metal blades and alter the taste of the sauce.
2. Serve the fresh basil sauce on top of or alongside the grilled kebabs.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store leftover kebabs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, store the basil sauce separately and add it just before reheating or serving for the best fresh flavor.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 357 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17.2g | Protein: 26.2g | Fat: 20.7g | Cholesterol: 61.4mg | Sodium: 69.5mg | Fiber: 3.3g | Sugar: 5.9g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.