Grilled shish kabobs are often the centerpiece of a satisfying meal, but finding the perfect side dish can be a challenge. This article aims to provide inspiration by highlighting the best accompaniments for your kabob feast.
Kabobs have become a beloved comfort food globally, transcending cultural boundaries and appealing to people of all ages. Their meaty goodness has made them a staple in many households.
Moreover, this is an excellent opportunity to elevate the overall experience by selecting the right side dishes that will complement your kabob perfectly. To help you do just that, I’ve compiled a list of 31 mouthwatering options to take your meal from good to exceptional.
Coleslaw with Celery Seed
Coleslaw, a classic condiment, is the perfect accompaniment to kabobs. Its light, crunchy texture and refreshing flavor make it a staple in many kabob shops globally. When firing up the grill at home, this side dish is a great choice due to its simplicity – it’s easy to prepare and requires minimal ingredients.
Mediterranean Rice with Baby Spinach and Feta
Why settle for traditional white rice when you can elevate it with a Mediterranean twist? This flavorful side dish is sure to impress, thanks to the combination of crumbly feta cheese, fresh baby spinach, and crunchy nuts. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more. The creamy richness from the feta provides depth, while the spinach and nuts inject a burst of freshness, making this dish a perfect accompaniment to your next kabob feast.
Elote Corn Salad
In Mexico, the popular street food elote is a staple, made by roasting corn on the cob to perfection before cutting it off. While it may not be an obvious pairing with Turkish cuisine, both share a common thread – their reliance on bold spices and flavors. The real magic happens when you combine roasted elote corn with thinly sliced red onions, creating a harmonious balance of warm and cool temperatures that’s nothing short of refreshing.
Mexican Macaroni Salad
While this cold macaroni salad delivers a bold punch of Mexican flavor courtesy of lime juice and fresh herbs, its greatest strength lies in its ability to be prepared ahead of time, making it an ideal accompaniment to the vibrant kabobs. What sets this recipe apart is its convenience – as with any reliable macaroni salad, you can effortlessly whip up a batch the day before serving, freeing up valuable time for other preparations. If you’re looking for more mouthwatering Mexican side dish options, you won’t be disappointed by these flavorful alternatives!
Instant Pot Green Beans
When crafting a delectable meal featuring chicken kabobs as the main attraction, it’s crucial that the supporting actors – in this case, the side dishes – don’t upstage the star of the show. Luckily, these Middle Eastern-inspired green beans require minimal effort and cleverly complement the bold flavors of your kabobs, making them an excellent choice for a platter or as a standalone side dish.
Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Harmonize the flavors of Turkish shish kebab with a refreshing kale salad and a creamy tahini dressing. This light, nutty, earthy, and crunchy combination provides a perfect balance to a hearty, meat-centric main course. Additionally, this salad can be easily packed into kabobs for kids to enjoy their fresh veggies alongside the savory meat.
Lemony Herbed Millet
If time is of the essence and fresh ingredients are scarce, this recipe might be just what you need. Millet, a hearty grain used globally in various dishes, offers a satisfying alternative to more traditional side options. To take your dish to the next level, simply drizzle the millet with lemon juice and add any available ingredients for a quick, easy accompaniment to chicken skewers. Alternatively, if you’re grilling up some kebabs, be sure to check out our curated list of top sides for grilled chicken for further inspiration.
Quinoa Tabbouleh
In the culinary tradition of the Middle East, tabbouleh is a beloved side dish that offers a delightful contrast to rich and bold flavors. Its refreshing essence is specifically designed to temper the palate after indulging in spicy or heavy dishes.
This iconic salad is often served alongside popular street foods like kabobs, providing a cooling respite from the savory notes of grilled meats.
Roasted Honey Gold Potatoes with Cilantro Vinaigrette
When it comes to pairing with steak kabobs or chicken kebabs, roasted potatoes are a timeless and delicious side dish option – especially when served with the filling on the outside of the roll. The key to achieving perfectly roasted potatoes lies in preheating your sheet pan before adding the spuds. By doing so, you’ll create the ideal conditions for the potatoes to form a crispy, well-defined skin, elevating this humble side dish to new heights.
Crispy Carrot Fries
When craving kabobs on chips at home, consider substituting traditional potatoes with carrots – a healthier alternative. As both are root vegetables, they roast harmoniously. The inherent sweetness of carrots beautifully balances the richness of the kabob, resulting in a well-rounded meal that’s hard to resist.
Broccoli Salad with Bacon
When you combine the rich flavors of creamy dressing, the crunch of fresh broccoli, and the smokiness of crispy bacon, you get a truly mouth-watering experience. This delightful salad is an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, elevating your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Additionally, its simplicity makes it an ideal candidate for repurposing as a satisfying lunch the following day.
Garlic Herb Smoked Potatoes
When cooking for a crowd or looking to elevate your next outdoor gathering, consider incorporating smoky roasted potatoes into your menu. The ease and versatility of this dish make it an excellent choice to pair with kabobs, as the subtle smokiness of the potatoes complements the hearty flavor of the skewers perfectly.
Kimchi Slaw
There’s something undeniably appealing about fusion cuisine, and kimchi – a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage and gochujang, a pungent spice paste – is no exception. Its tangy flavor provides the perfect counterbalance to hearty kabobs, while also adding an extra kick of heat that elevates the overall dining experience.
Fluffy Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
Devote yourself fully to crafting the perfect kabobs, and trust that these tender crock pot baked potatoes will emerge flawlessly cooked. Allow them to take center stage, adorned with your preferred toppings to create a well-rounded meal. Consider pairing them with refreshing tabbouleh for added flavor, or utilize them as a foundation upon which to build your kabobs. The versatility of these potatoes is sure to impress.
Carrot Salad with Sesame Maple Vinaigrette
Indulge in the revitalizing taste of a carrot salad infused with Asian flair. A clever combination of nutty sesame oil and subtle maple syrup creates a dressing that’s neither too sweet nor overpowering, instead providing a refreshing contrast to rich main courses. To allow the flavors to meld together harmoniously, consider preparing this recipe ahead of time and allowing it to chill in the fridge for optimal results.
Low Carb Broccoli Cauliflower Rice
For those on a low-carb diet, serving rice with kabobs can be a challenge. However, a clever alternative is to prepare this innovative low-carb broccoli and cauliflower ‘rice.’ Not only is it a healthier option, but it’s also surprisingly easy to make. Simply pulse the broccoli and cauliflower in a food processor until they resemble grains, then steam them for just a few minutes to retain their texture and flavor.
Lemon Parmesan Quinoa Salad
The harmonious union of lemon, parmesan, and quinoa creates a refreshing flavor profile that’s elevated by the earthy undertones of kale and broccoli. This well-rounded side dish is particularly appealing when you’re looking for a more substantial accompaniment to your meal, as it provides a filling and satisfying experience without dominating the palate. Its moderate caloric content also makes it an excellent choice when you need to balance out a low-carb main course.
Dill Cucumber Salad
Cucumber’s refreshing crunch and cooling nature make it an ideal foundation for a Turkish-inspired kabob side dish. The dill and cucumber salad that emerges is a true culinary delight, perfect for pairing with succulent chicken kebabs. To add depth and a touch of spice, thin strips of red onion are expertly woven throughout the salad, providing just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting.
Roasted Sunchokes with Thyme
The humble Jerusalem Artichoke, also known as Sunchoke, is a root vegetable that shares a surprising connection with sunflowers, hence its name. This unique flavor profile is characterized by a subtle nutty taste, making it an excellent addition to your next homemade kabob party. While they’re delicious on their own or paired with hummus, olive oil, and thyme, I highly recommend trying them roasted alongside your favorite kabob ingredients – you won’t be disappointed!
Garlic Turmeric Rice
Give your kabobs a flavorful boost by incorporating a delicious and nutritious garlic and turmeric rice dish. The vibrant yellow color and rich earthy flavor of this sidekick will surely become a family favorite, and you can easily hide a few veggies within the rice to get your kids on board with eating their greens!
Summer Kale Salad with Cherries and Crispy Prosciutto
This Mediterranean-inspired salad is a perfect accompaniment to your kabobs, offering a refreshing balance of sweet, salty and healthy flavors. Its simplicity also makes it an effortless addition to any meal. Whether you’re hosting an Italian-themed dinner party or just need a quick side dish for steak kabobs, this recipe is sure to impress.
Grilled Asparagus with Charred Lemon
With its harmonious balance of fresh and charred notes, grilled asparagus brings an unexpected depth to the kabobs. The subtle smokiness perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the asparagus, elevating the dish’s overall flavor profile. Meanwhile, the charred lemon on the side adds a tangy contrast that amplifies the freshness when squeezed over the top. This recipe is not only delectable but also surprisingly quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a cozy night in.
Healthy Dill Potato Salad
When it comes to pairing potato salad with kabob, a classic combination is elevated by this recipe’s innovative twist. By merging coleslaw and roasted potatoes into one flavorful dish, we’ve created a healthier alternative that’s sure to delight. The fresh dill and Greek yogurt dressing add a tangy and creamy element respectively, making it an ideal accompaniment to a Turkish-inspired feast.
Grilled Mexican Zucchini Boats
Drawing inspiration from the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine, we revisit the concept of zucchini boats, where the harmonious blend of creamy toppings, bold spices, and roasted zucchinis creates a culinary delight that’s both simple and nutritious.
Vegan Lemon Herb Pearl Couscous Salad with Chickpeas
Transforming any salad into a culinary masterpiece is as easy as incorporating pearl couscous, which elevates the dish to new heights. This vegan couscous and chickpea salad takes inspiration from traditional tabbouleh, but with a more indulgent twist. The result is a visually stunning creation that bursts with flavor and texture, featuring vibrant heirloom tomatoes, delicate shredded herbs, crunchy chickpeas, and radiant pearl couscous.
Broccoli Casserole
This convenient broccoli casserole is a lifesaver when time is of the essence. Not only is it a healthy option, but its versatility knows no bounds. The unlikely combination of cheese, mushrooms, and broccoli may raise an eyebrow at first, yet the first bite will have you hooked. If you’re a fan of all things broccoli, you’ll be delighted by this indulgent cheesy garlic broccoli treat.
Caesar Salad
When stripped back to its core components, the classic Caesar salad reveals its true essence. What remains is a harmonious union of crisp greens, crunchy croutons, rich olive oil, and nutty parmesan cheese. This unassuming recipe eschews frills for an emphasis on exceptional ingredients and textural contrasts, inviting you to indulge in its simplicity.
Cucumber Finger Lime Salad
Indulge in the essence of the Australian bush by serving up a refreshing and bold cucumber and finger lime salad. For those unfamiliar with finger lime, it’s an indigenous fruit boasting a vibrant flavor profile that will leave you wanting more. Its unique taste is perfectly complemented by the subtle sweetness of cucumber, making this a match made in heaven for your plate.
Avocado Pasta Salad
For a hassle-free and delicious solution, look no further than this versatile avocado pasta salad. Perfect for local gatherings or quick meals, its make-ahead nature ensures seamless assembly. Feel free to customize it according to your personal preferences, making it your go-to pasta salad that caters to your unique tastes.
Onion Salad
North Indian cuisine has a delightful twist with laccha pyaz, also known as onion salad, that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. The star ingredients are red onions and an array of spices. Simply toss the spices onto the onion rings, letting them sit for a minute to allow the flavors to meld together. For an added layer of fragrance, garnish with a sprig of fresh mint before serving.
Baked Avocado Fries
When it comes to accompaniments for your kabobs, I highly recommend indulging in a healthier alternative to traditional potato fries. While they may require slightly more effort, the rich, creamy outcome is well worth the extra time invested. The experience of biting into the crispy exterior of these avocado fries and discovering the soft, velvety interior is truly satisfying. Paired with your main dish of kabobs, this delightful combination strikes the perfect balance, making for a well-rounded and nutritious meal.