Shish Kabob Recipe
Grilling season is perfect for these Shish Kabobs with a beef marinade made with pineapple and dark rum. The rum is totally optional of course! Plus take a look at dozens of ideas to make these colorful grilled skewers your way with all the best shish kebob side dish ideas.
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 232kcal
Ingredients
Skewers
- 3 lbs top sirloin 2" cubes
- 1 large pineapple 2" pieces
- 1 red onion 2" pieces
- 6 bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange) 2" pieces
Marinade
- 2 medium shallots finely diced
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup Myers Dark rum
- 1 cup beef stock
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, kabob sticks or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for an hour so they don't burn. The advantage metal skewers have over wood skewers is they are reusable, don't burn, and clean easily in the dish washer!
- Trim and cube the top sirloin into 2" steak cubes, and place into a large zip-lock bag. Mix the marinade, and pour into the zip-lock plastic bag with steak. You can add additional flavors, see my list in the recipe notes. Seal, and toss to coat well, keep refrigerated for 3-4 hours. Or marinate in an airtight container or medium bowl covered with plastic wrap.
- Cut the pineapple chunks, red onions, and colorful bell peppers into large 2-inch pieces. Larger pieces stay on the skewers as they grill.
- Remove the steak and pour the marinade into a small grill heat-safe pot or pan. Using stainless steel skewers, thread on steak pieces and veggies in alternating colors until all the steak and veggies are on skewers. Or put all the meat on their skewer, so it grills to the doneness you prefer.
- Use a paper towel and rub vegetable oil on the grill grates so the kabobs don't stick. Heat the charcoal or gas grill to 400 degrees, or medium-high heat.
- Optional: Place the small heatproof sauce pot of marinade directly over the flames of the grill. The heat of the grill will heat the marinade up over 165 degrees making the glaze safe to brush onto the skewers. Use a heat-safe silicone brush, and mop over the skewers every 5 minutes or so.
- Place kabobs on an outdoor grill for about 10-15 minutes over medium heat. until the steak is medium-rare is 130-135 degrees internal temperature. Grilling times will vary depending on the size and type of the meat. Move skewers to indirect heat once grilled to keep warm. Serve with rice, and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Shish Kabob Tips
- The raw pineapple in the marinade helps to tenderize the top sirloin due to an enzyme called Bromelain. It breaks down the protein and muscle structure of the meat.
- The rum and pineapple add sweetness to the marinade and a depth of flavor.
- Brushing the heated marinade from the saucepot on the kabobs while grilling, and adds more flavor as they grill.
- Top sirloin is a good meat cut, and is a reasonably priced cut of beef plus it is quite tender.
- Some people prefer to load all the pieces of meat on a single skewer. The meat chunks do grill slower than the vegetables, especially if they are cut larger. When you grill the beef chunks on separate skewers, you get the meat and veggies grilled at the right doneness you prefer.
Meat Swaps or Additions
pork tenderloin, thick bacon, shrimp, lamb, sausage, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, strip steak (don't use stew meat it's too tough to grill!)Marinade Additions
- soy sauce
- lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice
- onion powder, garlic salt, garlic powder
- black pepper
- crushed garlic
- olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce
- brown sugar
- balsamic vinegar
- for a little extra spicy kick, add hot sauce!
Shish Kabob Vegetables
- Yellow Squash or Summer Squash
- Bell Peppers: Red Peppers, Green Peppers, Orange Peppers
- New Potatoes (microwave first on high 5 minutes)
- Zucchini
- Red Onions
- Bell Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Corn
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes - Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
Kabob Side Dishes
- Side of Rice: brown rice, coconut rice, lemon rice, or rice pilaf.
- Bread: bake some Dinner Rolls with all kinds of toppings or some garlic bread, or warm pita bread.
- Salad: 7 Layer Salad, Caesar Salad, Greek Salad, Caprese salad, Cobb Salad, or a simple salad like a Wedge Salad, or green salad with romaine lettuce and fresh veggies you have on hand.
- Great Side Dish Ideas: sweet potato fries, homemade potato chips, green beans, German potato salad, classic Macaroni Salad, Blue Cheese Bacon Potato Salad, baked sweet potatoes, or regular baked potatoes.
- Easy Side Dish: Fresh fruit kabobs or Corn on The Cob are simple side dish ideas.
Nutrition
Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 703mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1905IU | Vitamin C: 115.1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2.5mg