Fun Grilling With Kabobs

Grilling season is here, which means a summer full of steaks and burgers, but what about other ways to cook beef on the grill? One of my favorites is kabobs! Beef cubes, skewered and grilled, can be the perfect dinner without too much fuss or provide an elegant appetizer for any party. Beef kabobs can easily be assembled ahead of time, grilled to perfection in minutes and there is little clean up after the meal. The options are endless, and with a few suggestions and tips, kabobs will quickly become one of your grilling favorites!

Kabob Components
There are so many ingredients that compliment beef kabobs. I love using typical kabob vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, squash, potatoes and bell peppers. Fresh corn on the cob, cut into 1-inch pieces, also works great on the grill. Be creative with fun fruits such as jicama, oranges, apples, plums and limes. Use ingredients that are in season and flavors you enjoy.

Building Basics
When building your kabob, fill the skewer with uniform pieces. Be sure to leave a little space between each piece, so that all the ingredients are evenly cooked. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling to minimize scorching.

Kabobs that include tender fruits or vegetables will cook more quickly than the beef cubes, so they will need to be placed on their own skewer. For potatoes or carrots, pre-cook them before skewering for two to three minutes in the microwave. To make kabob cubes, cut the steak into 1 to 1½-inch pieces. For ribbon kabobs, cut the beef against the grain in ¼-inch thick slices and thread them onto the skewers.

Cuts and Cooking
There are many cuts of beef that work perfect for kabobs. Sirloin and tenderloin make great kabobs, as well as less tender cuts like the round tip or top round. For these cuts, choose a tenderizing marinade that compliments the flavors of the ingredients. Be sure that the beef it is at least 1-inch in thickness if you are making kabob cubes. Kabobs should be grilled over medium, ash-covered coals. I like to grill my kabobs uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness and turn them occasionally.

Here are suggestions to get you started:

Steak and Summer Fruit Kabob Salad

Thai Ribbons

Salsa Steak Sticks

Mojo Beef Kabobs

Fiery Beef Satay Skewers

From :  Texas Beef Council Newsletter