What to Serve with Kabobs (18 of the Best Side Dish Recipes)

Serving shish kabobs for dinner? These are the best side dishes for the perfect summer meal.

Steak kabobs and chicken skewers are the perfect choice for a healthier option for dinner.  

We like to grill out in the summer and enjoy dinner on our screened porch.

Kabobs are a great choice and cleanup is a snap.

What meats make up your kabob recipe favorites

I like to choose lean top sirloin, fresh shrimp or marinated chicken breasts for whatever type of shish kebab we are craving.

My steak kabobs are a delicious option if you want grilled meat.

My grilled chicken kebabs are infused with soy sauce, garlic and honey. It’s the best marinade for all kinds of meat. 

Or try my basil pesto chicken kebabs. 

My Hawaiian shrimp kebabs and spicy grilled shrimp skewers are a great option. If shrimp isn’t your thing simply swap out the shrimp for Hawaiian chicken kabobs. 

Other grilled meats include pork tenderloin, lamb and ground beef as well as meaty fish like salmon or swordfish.

Kebabs are a great way to keep the main course simple.

How to make kabobs

Cut your choice of meat into 1-inch cubes and season them with your favorite rub, marinade or spices.

Allow the kabob meat to absorb the seasoning in the fridge for at least a half hour.

The more time the better the flavor.

Next, thread onto metal skewers.

Alternatively, soak wooden skewers in water for about a half hour so the bamboo skewers don’t burn on the grill.

You can thread just the meat or interchangeably with your favorite fresh vegetables or fruit.

Think squash and zucchini, grape tomatoes, bell peppers and onions, mushrooms and even mini potatoes or sweet potatoes are fantastic.

Fresh fruit is also delicious on the grill. Stone fruits like peaches and nectarines caramelize deliciously.

Also try watermelon, strawberries, pineapple and bananas. The possibilities are endless.

The grill is your friend this summer.

It’s the best way to keep the heat out of the kitchen and an excellent excuse to spend time outdoors.

Once you choose your choice of grilled meat, choose a kabob side that complements the main dish. 

Make one of these delicious kabob sides for dinner. There is a simple side dish for everyone. 

Best Side Dishes for Kabobs

Sweet Corn Salad

Enjoy summer’s bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables with a corn salad featuring sweet cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, fresh mozzarella and homegrown basil.

This healthy option relies on olive oil, lemon juice and the complex flavors of the freshest vegetables for its delicious flavor.

Pasta Salad

This Italian pasta salad combines summer’s favorite vegetables with chopped salami, black olives, red onions, rotini noodles and the tangy flavor of Italian dressing. 

This great recipe is also a good option for any barbecue or potluck.

Coconut Rice

Add a tropical flair to your next rice dish by adding in shredded coconut, fresh lime juice and fragrant cilantro.

I like to use plain white rice, or jasmine long-grain rice for this recipe.

It has an aromatic flavor that is delicious plain and even better when adding in coconut milk.

I promise my cilantro lime coconut rice is a winner. 

Cheesy Creamed Corn

This cheesy corn recipe with Boursin cheese is made with sweet corn kernels mixed with salty pancetta and dunked in a creamy Boursin cheese sauce.

This recipe is a knock-off of the corn side dish served at Hyde Park steakhouses in Columbus, Ohio.

Grilled Zucchini with Pine Nuts and Feta Cheese

This recipe of grilled zucchini with feta and pine nuts makes grilling out easy and delicious.

Who would have thought three simple ingredients could lead to the most amazing flavor for a healthy side dish for chicken or beef kabobs.

Slice the zucchini at a diagonal thick enough for the grill and roast until tender.

Top with salty feta cheese and toasted pine nuts.

Tortellini Tomato Salad

A classic summer pasta salad featuring juicy red ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, homegrown basil and cheesy tortellini. 

The creamy flavor of the cheese and the juice from the sweetest tomatoes will make this side dish a hit at any summer party.

I like to add a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar as well as fresh grown basil from the garden.

Grilled Fruit Kabobs

Have your ever grilled fruit kabobs?

Grill your favorite fruit like peaches, watermelon, strawberries and kiwi and drizzle them with mint and balsamic glaze for a delicious dessert or side dish.

The natural sugars of the fruit combined with the heat of the grill turn these skewers into dessert kabobs.

Swap out any fruit for your favorite. Pineapple and citrus are amazing as are bananas and mangos.

These kabobs are irresistible!

Roasted Potatoes

Next time you have company, dress up your dinner plates with these roasted rosemary mini potatoes.

These oven-roasted potatoes are creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside and take no more time than larger potatoes to make.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Panko and Parmesan Cheese

Don’t throw away those unripe green tomatoes.

Turn them into fried green tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella cheese and chopped basil and finished with a balsamic glaze. 

After coating them in panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, they are deep fried.

They are juicy on the inside with a crunchy texture on the outside. Eat them as is or top them with mozzarella, fresh herbs and balsamic glaze.

Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet and spicy, these homemade potato chips are tossed in a barbecue seasoning and baked to perfection.

You’d never guess they’re healthy. 

Substitute sea salt in place of the barbecue seasoning for younger palates.

Couscous Salad with Fresh Veggies

This couscous salad with grilled vegetables features zucchini, squash, asparagus, red peppers and mushrooms and is tossed with fresh lemon juice and goat cheese for delicious flavor.

It’s healthy, can be served at room temperature or even cold and is the perfect side dish that can serve a crowd.

Chickpea Salad

Bring home the flavors of the Mediterranean in this easy and healthy chickpea salad.

Garden ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and chickpeas are the key ingredients in this super easy side salad.

Toss in some fragrant cilantro and fresh mozzarella cheese and you’ve got the perfect side for your picnic or party.

Toss in a jalapeno pepper to take the heat up a notch.

Fresh Tomatoes Caprese Salad

A classic Italian salad of sweet, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh picked basil is drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze for the ultimate summer side dish.  

If you grown your own tomatoes or buy from the farm stand, this is the star of the show.

These sweet tomatoes with are bursting with flavor.

Simple Salad with Watermelon, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar

Sweet watermelon, juicy cucumber and salty feta cheese are the perfect flavor combination nestled on top of tangy arugula.

This light and delicious salad is the perfect marriage of sweet and salty.

Your taste buds will thank you.

Grilled Romaine Lettuce

Romaine hearts on the grill take on a smokey flavor and are delicious with a drizzle of my homemade Caesar salad dressing.

Grilled outdoors or inside using a skillet grill, you can enjoy this summer classic all year round. 

Easy Corn Pudding

Sweet summer corn and cornbread are mixed together for a creamy pudding or casserole that is a clear winner with grilled meats and also a must on any holiday table.

It’s delicious with Honeybaked ham as well as anything off the grill.

Cheesy Pancetta Green Beans

These green beans are topped with salty pancetta, fresh garlic and a blend of Italian cheeses and roasted until tender.

They are delicious with any type of kabob. In fact, they’re kid and parent approved.

Roasted Provencal Vegetables

This simple side dish of yellow squash, zucchini, carrots, sweet onion and asparagus go along with any grilled meat.

Slow roasted with a toss of olive oil and herbs de Provence, the veggies caramelized beautifully and bring out the sweetness of the vegetables.

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