What to Serve With Kabobs?

Kabobs are an easy way to make any meal more fun and tasty. They’re also a great way to get some variety on your plate if you eat meat-heavy meals daily. 

While it’s tempting just to put meat and veggies on the kabob and call it good, there are some of what to serve with kabobs.

Keep reading to learn more about what to serve with kabobs at your next barbecue or dinner party!

1. Herbed Potato Salad

Kabobs are delicious, but they can be even better when you serve them with the right sides. Potato salad is a no-brainer: it’s delicious, goes well with meat, and is budget-friendly. 

Potato salad is a great option if you want what to serve with Kabobs. The best thing about this recipe is that it is easy to make in advance, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about on your big day!

2. Greek Pasta Salad

Are you looking for what to serve with kabobs? Greek pasta salad is the perfect option. To make it! Cook bow-tie pasta in boiling water until done, strain, and place in a large bowl.

Add chopped seeded cucumber,  diced plum tomatoes, minced garlic clove, one diced onion, and one cup of Greek yogurt. Stir until mixed well. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

3. Apple Spinach Salad

If you’re looking for some great side dishes for what to serve with kabobs, look no further than this recipe for Apple Spinach Salad. It is super simple, not very messy, and delicious. Enjoy!

Prepare apples by peeling and chopping them into medium-sized pieces (about the size of a medium banana). Peel and finely chop the cloves of garlic.

In a large bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, honey, and mayonnaise until well combined. Add the sliced garlic, mix well and add in the chopped apples. Pour the dressing over the salad, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly coated in it.

4. Coconut Rice

For those who enjoy a tropical twist on the typical sides found in a barbecue cookout, Coconut Rice is a great choice. This dish can easily be prepared in advance for an event and reheated, if necessary. 

The steps outlined below will help you make the best possible version of this dish:

Rinse rice until the water runs clear, and then place it in a saucepan with coconut milk, boiling water, one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice, and one teaspoon of salt.

Allow the rice to simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed by the rice.

5. Rice Pilaf

Traditional rice pilaf is perfect if you want what to serve with kabobs. To make traditional rice pilaf, measure long-grain white rice and place it in a saucepan with vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer while covered.

Next,  allow the rice to cook until soft, approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before adding in butter, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.

6. Pesto Lemon Rice

This pesto lemon rice dish is a go-to side dish for kabobs! Though we know many people will say, ‘rice is not what to serve with kabob,’ it’s the perfect vessel for your mouth-watering marinade and spices.

Plus, it tastes just as good leftover too. Give this recipe a try and serve it alongside some kabob recipes of your choice!

7. Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Serve it the healthy way! Slice a medium sweet potato in half and rub the cut surface with a mixture of vegetable oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Place on a rimmed baking sheet or grill pan skin-side down and cook until browned on both sides.

 In the meantime, skewer your favorite kabob ingredients (i.e., onions, peppers, pineapple chunks) in whatever pattern you like.

Brush olive oil over each one, then roast them at 400 degrees F until they are crispy but not burned. Lay them out neatly on a platter or cutting board while they’re still hot, then pour an additional drizzle of oil over them before serving alongside your grilled sweet potatoes

8. Toasted Orzo

If you’re serving kabobs, this – orzo- is what to serve with kabobs. The idea is that the orzo cooks for 5 minutes on the stove while you’re cooking your kabobs, so by the time it’s done, the kabobs are ready too.

 This dish is wonderfully delicious and low-carb, but it also provides a little more nutrition than rice. To make it taste even better, add some fresh herbs like parsley and chives (yum!) and serve with lemon wedges if desired. 

9. Lemon Couscous

Couscous is one of the most versatile, healthy, and delicious whole grains around. It’s also easy to prepare. Couscous is a staple in Moroccan cuisine, but it goes well as a side dish for any meal. 

To start, cook couscous according to the package directions. Once cooked, mix in lemon juice or zest and olive oil until blended into the couscous before serving.

If you want extra flavor, try adding garlic powder or chopped fresh herbs like basil or thyme (or anything else you have handy). You can add raisins, pineapple chunks, or nuts for an even more interesting twist on this simple dish.

10. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Shaved Brussels sprout salad is a nutrient-packed and easy-to-make side dish for kabob that is perfect for your next barbecue or get-together. 

Basically, all you do is peel the outer layer of the sprouts, shave them using a mandolin (or in a bowl with a knife), toss them in olive oil and salt & pepper, then let them marinate for about 30 minutes.

Lastly, add in some thinly sliced red onion for extra crunch, and serve! This recipe makes about three cups of shaved Brussels sprout salad.

11. Tzatziki

Every culture has its unique take on tzatziki, but yogurt and grated cucumber are the most common ingredients. Recipes may also call for garlic, dill, mint, pepper, and lemon juice. 

The ingredient list might vary from one person to the next.  But regardless of the recipe or list of ingredients, Tzatziki is the best if you are looking for what to serve with Kabob.

12. Potato Wedges

What to serve with kabobs? Potato wedges are the right choice. Baked, fried, or roasted? It’s up to you! Potato wedges are a delicious side dish that complements many different types of kabobs. 

Preheat your oven or prepare an oil and pan fryer, so they’re ready when you are. Coat potato wedges in olive oil and sprinkle on kosher salt or your favorite seasonings like garlic powder or ground black pepper. 

In the oven, bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until crispy outside and tender inside. Or, in a pan fryer, set heat between medium-high heat and coat potato wedges in oil (around one tablespoon) using a metal spoon for best results. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until browning slightly and cooked through.

13. Roasted Corn on the Cob

This is another great option if you are looking for what to serve with kabobs. You can buy corn in a bag or package, so this side is really fast and simple. Simply cut the corn off the cob, throw it into a foil pan, and roast at 350° F for about 10 minutes until tender. 

Next, season with salt, pepper, paprika, parsley flakes, cayenne pepper (if desired), butter, or olive oil (optional). Carrots & Celery- Stick some carrots and celery next to the table for guests who like vegetables.

14. Grilled Pineapple

Cut a pineapple in half, and then cut off the skin. Make thin slices lengthwise, but don’t go all the way through. Spread butter on each side of the pineapple and place on a grill for five minutes on each side. The pineapple will release its juice and become tender.

15. Tabouli

An Eastern Mediterranean salad based on a Lebanese dish that has been eaten for centuries, tabouli is traditionally made from bulgur wheat (a variety of whole-grain wheat), tomatoes, onion, parsley, mint, and a healthy dose of olive oil. This side dish is perfect for those summer barbecues and picnics in the park.

16. Pumpkin Soup

It’s still a little too warm for soup, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be prepared for when the season does come. This pumpkin soup is flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, which go so well with meaty kabobs. 

The onion and garlic in this recipe add a savory taste without overwhelming the other flavors. All it takes is a few ingredients and 15 minutes, and you’ll have your own homemade pumpkin soup for what to serve with kabobs.

17. Coconut Lime Chicken Curry Soup

This simple soup features coconut milk, fresh lime juice, and aromatic curry spices. Plus, it’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish or a quick lunch any day of the week. If you don’t have access to butternut squash, pumpkin can be substituted in its place!

In a pot over medium heat, add one olive oil. Add half an onion (chopped), cloves of garlic (minced), and each ground cumin and cinnamon powder.

18. Horiatiki

In Greece, we usually have this simple salad known as Horiatiki, which is a traditional Greek dish that has been prepared and eaten since ancient times. Some people also refer to it as ‘Grecian Salad’. 

It’s typically made of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and oregano. Another Greek classic is Tsatsiki, which is made of strained yogurt, garlic cloves, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, and olive oil.

19. Grilled Fruit

Cut up watermelon, pineapple, oranges, or even cantaloupe, and throw them on the grill. They cook in minutes and add a refreshing fruitiness that’s perfect for summertime grilling. Or, if you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, try grilling bananas! 

Their flavor complements the smoky meat and creates an irresistible dessert after dinner. They are great options if you want to serve with Kabobs.

20. Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms

These Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms are perfect if you require what to serve with kabobs. Stuffing various tasty ingredients inside the mushroom caps before roasting them helps maintain the freshness of each ingredient.

Also, allow flavors to shine through when they come out of the oven. Check out our recipe below for details!

21. Corn And Bacon Side Dish

Served as a side dish for BBQ pork and kabobs, corn and bacon are the perfect complements. The sweet corn pairs well with the salty bacon, and adding onions to the mix is just one more way to get some crunchiness into your meal. 

Let’s get started! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Peel two or three sweet potatoes or yams and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Once they are peeled, wash them off under running water.

22. Pesto

You can use pesto as a spread on bread, wrap it around pita bread or serve it as a dip for sliced vegetables. This recipe includes Parmesan cheese and garlic, two of the flavors that go well with what to serve with kabob. 

Also, you can make this dish vegetarian by substituting olive oil for butter in the pesto recipe. It is also very easy to make. Combine all ingredients except the Parmesan cheese in a food processor and process until the mixture is smooth.

23. Dinner Rolls

No meal is complete without sides, and no food pairing is better than dinner rolls and kabobs. These dinner rolls are fluffy, buttery, savory bites of heaven. And they’re so easy to make! 

All you need is flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and butter (plus water). Simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl until they form a dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic. 

Next, cover the dough in plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel for an hour or two (depending on the temperature). Then use your hands to shape it into balls.

24. Roasted Asparagus

This is what to serve with Kabobs. Asparagus is a side dish that is hearty enough for even the pickiest eater. The roast instant gives it a wonderful crispy texture on the outside and a warm, chewy center on the inside. 

To roast asparagus, simply coat the stalks in olive oil and salt and place them in an oven at 425 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.  Turning halfway through until they are tender.

Conclusion

Kabobs are great on their own, but they’re even better when you serve them with some delicious sides. It’s easy to get stuck in the meat-and-potatoes mindset, so shake things up with this list of what to serve with Kabobs. 

These side dishes are great for completing your meal and offer some variety in your menu planning. There’s something for everyone!