Our Best Kabob and Skewer Recipes

Call them kabobs, yakitori, or food-on-a-stick, meat and vegetables cooked on a skewer are popular in many cuisines. The fancy culinary term for this type of grab-and-go food is en brochette, but skewers can be as elevated or casual as you like. They’re served everywhere, from Michelin-starred restaurants to street carts.

Here at Primal Kitchen, we’re big fans of the humble skewer. Besides being super easy to grill, bake, or broil, they also have a rugged feel that’s, well, totally primal. We can imagine our ancestors huddled over a fire, charring chunks of game meat or threading veggies onto small stakes and grilling in a wood-fired oven to add flavor.

Regardless of how they came to be, skewers are a great way to mix up your dinner routine. Just slather meats and veggies with your favorite Primal Kitchen sauce, stack them on skewers, grill or broil, and serve with extra condiments for dipping. To get you started, we’ve compiled a quick list of our top skewer and kabob recipes made with your favorite pantry staples.

Italian Antipasto Skewers

No time to cook? Thread charcuterie meats and cheeses onto fancy toothpicks (think club sandwich or burger pick) and brush with Italian vinaigrette for a 5-minute appetizer.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

With just five ingredients, including our savory-sweet Yum Yum Dipping Sauce, you can whip up sesame ginger shrimp with restaurant quality. Serve solo as an appetizer, top a spinach salad, or make a cauliflower rice bowl.

Veggie Skewers

Fire up the barbecue for mouthwatering seasonal veggies like summer squash, zucchini, and bell peppers glazed in our savory No-Soy Teriyaki. Add pineapple chunks and swap in our Island Teriyaki for a sweeter bite.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

We took a shortcut by using an air fryer to crisp up these gorgeous appetizers. Our simple 5-step recipe ends with a dunk in dreamy dressing or our new Avocado Lime Dipping Sauce. 

West African Steak Kabobs

Inspired by the author’s Sierra Leone heritage, these rich and spicy skewers marry with an undeniably delicious peanut sauce made with ketchup instead of traditional tomato paste.

Grilled Chicken and Apple Kabobs

Ready in just 15 minutes, the sweetness of apples combines with the savory onion and mustard undertones of Poppyseed Dressing to level up chicken thighs. Serve with crisp slaw or roasted Brussels sprouts.

Hawaiian Steak & Fruit Skewers

Once you marinate your meat in tangy Hawaiian BBQ Sauce, this recipe goes from grill to plate in minutes. We used summer crops like peaches and watermelon, but you can substitute any sturdy in-season fruit.

Grilled Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs

Level up simple chicken breasts and seasonal veg with Primal Kitchen Classic BBQ Sauce! Used as a marinade and brushed on during cooking, the subtle smokiness and tangy tomato taste add a double dose of bold BBQ flavor.   

Why We Love Skewers

Skewers and kabobs are more than just a versatile addition to your cooking repertoire—they open the door to more vibrant meals for any occasion. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a casual pool party, or a Saturday picnic, skewers are a simple way to incorporate a variety of fresh veggies and proteins into your diet without spending hours prepping. Plus, they’re fun to eat with a fork, your fingers, or straight off the stick!