40 Skewer Recipes That Will Impress Every Guest at Your Cookout

Your kids will love to help you assemble them. They’re basically impossible to burn too, since there’s only one type of vegetable per skewer—as long as the pieces are roughly the same size, they should cook for the same time.

Because no one wins friends with salad, we spiced up this crowd-pleaser by swapping mild mozz for tangy halloumi cheese and adding bread to the mix.

And you thought a mess-free seafood boil was impossible. This take is ridiculously low-maintenance and requires minimal cleanup. Just put some newspaper down on the picnic table and dig in.

No chopsticks required, folks. Our favorite part about this recipe is hands-down the marinade, which is made up almost entirely of pantry staples.

Close your eyes, take a bite and you’re basically in Santorini. All that’s missing is a toasted pita round and a glass of white wine.

Hellooooo, refreshment. Not only is tangy, salty feta just the match for juicy, sweet watermelon, but the skewers can also easily be transformed into a meal by being plated with a mound of dressed arugula.

Scared to cook steak at home? Don’t worry, this recipe is totally foolproof. The cubed beef tenderloin only needs about five minutes of grilling per side to cook to perfection.

Nine vibrant ingredients unite for a beyond-flavorful marinade that’s bursting with warm spices and flavor. Think grated ginger, garlic, turmeric, curry powder and coconut milk.

Low lift enough to cook on a weeknight, impressive enough to serve at an alfresco dinner party. Feel free to pop the peaches on the grill before adding them to the salad.

The key to the poultry’s flavor is baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend that typically includes herbs and warm spices like dried mint, oregano, cinnamon, coriander, cumin and nutmeg.

Proof that you don’t have to fire up the grill to make a batch of killer skewers. These come together indoors on a skillet instead (though you could totally use a grill pan if you’re all about char marks).

Behold, the world’s most ingenious summer dessert. Here, burgers and dogs make way for charred slabs of cheater’s honey butter biscuits and sugared strawberries.

Sweet, tangy and spicy in every bite, thanks to coconut milk, fresh citrus juices and Tabasco. Be sure to reserve an hour or two for the shrimp to marinate.

Who needs tortillas? Fajitas are only as epic as their fillings, and this lime-kissed chicken is bold enough to hold its own.

Salad just…tastes better in the form of finger food. Especially when it’s dunked in sweet balsamic-mustard sauce.

Sophisticated, yet oh so simple. Serve this half-hour gem with a side of coconut rice and lime wedges.

Proof that lightning-fast chicken breast dishes don’t have to be boring. Chalk it up to the umami-rich marinade made with fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and a handful of pantry staples.

Lamb tends to feel fancier than beef, but it’s just as simple to grill. Fair warning: You’ll want to drizzle the citrusy yogurt dip on everything.

Might we suggest going all-out on the island-inspired front and swapping in Spam for chicken?

Sirloin beef skewers stacked with mushrooms, bell peppers and onions taste even better after a garlic butter bath. Plop it all on a sub roll and broil it with provolone cheese for the Cadillac of cheesesteaks.

Not only does the chicken get charred on the grill, but so do asparagus spears and marinated artichokes.

Make space on the grates for this Mediterranean staple, a grilled mix of ground beef and lamb bursting with garlic, herbs and spices. Serve it with cucumber and tomato salad, tabouli, hummus or roasted eggplant.

We’re betting you have just about every ingredient you need in your kitchen right now. These kebabs take about 45 minutes from start to finish, but most of that is marinating time.

Here’s your excuse to overdo it on zucchini and yellow squash at the farmers market again. Make a big batch of Tuscan seasoning, so it’s always ready to sprinkle onto pizza, eggs and chicken.

Steak and potatoes have never been easier to whip up. Plate it with Caesar or caprese salad.

Typically made on a massive rotisserie, this DIY version of doner kebab calls for threading marinated chicken onto skewers, propping them atop the edges of a pan and baking until browned.

The way a shrimp can cradle a round of sausage just so…it’s almost like these two proteins were made for each other. Pass the sriracha cream sauce.

A couple hot chilis of your choice offer just the right amount of spice to the marinade. Feel free to trade peaches for pineapple, and try Scotch bonnets if you’re feeling brave.

A flourish of sliced scallions and sesame seeds makes any dish look ten times more appetizing. Serve these with white rice.

The recipe calls for spicy Italian sausages, but you can use mild, chicken sausage or even bratwurst or kielbasa.

This over-the-top lunch has it all: citrusy skewered chicken, cool tzatziki, crisp veggies and charred pita. But it obviously goes without saying that our favorite element is the fries.

Grilled corn, cherry tomatoes and fresh peaches—it doesn’t get more seasonal than that. The blended avocado vinaigrette will give it all a dose of decadence.

If you’re using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least half an hour before using, so the wood doesn’t catch fire on the grill or in the oven.

Proof that Caesar salad can be far from boring with the right toppings. (P.S.: We have serious feelings about the Parmesan tahini dressing.)

Dunk them in tzatziki, hummus, tahini, lemony Greek yogurt—the condiment shelf is your oyster.

Your favorite beer gets poured straight into the pot, where it’s reduced until thick with the rest of the sauce ingredients. A Pilsner, IPA or witbier would work great.

We have a feeling your kids will go gaga for these puppies at your next cookout.

The trick to the sauce’s sticky sweetness? A generous amount (like, a whole jar) of apricot preserves.

A few minutes on the grill will caramelize the natural sugars in the pineapple, melon, berries and banana. Serve them with melted chocolate or sweetened yogurt dip.

Three words: Toasted. Marshmallow. Frosting. Set up a table with peanut butter, Nutella, chocolate and graham cracker crumbs, so your guests can coat their own bananas.