Garden Kabobs
Colorful garden kabobs combine tender meat and fresh vegetables marinated in a tangy soy-lemon sauce, perfect for grilling and enjoyed by family and friends alike.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1/4 cup lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic ⓘ
- dash dried basil ⓘ
- cooked rice ⓘ
- 2.5 pounds pork, steak, chicken, or shrimp ⓘ
- 24 cherry tomatoes ⓘ
- 24 fresh mushroom caps
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, cut into 1.5-inch cubes ⓘ
- 2 small zucchini, sliced ⓘ
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine vegetable oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and dried basil; set aside.
- Assemble kabobs by threading meat and vegetables onto metal skewers.
- Place the assembled kabobs on a cookie sheet.
- Pour the marinade over the kabobs, cover, and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
- Turn the kabobs several times during marination.
- To cook, grill the kabobs over hot coals until the meat and vegetables reach desired doneness.
- Remove the kabobs from skewers and serve over cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For optimal flavor, marinate the kabobs overnight to allow the flavors to infuse. If you're short on time, a minimum of 1 hour will still yield tasty results. You can substitute the protein with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option. Fresh herbs like thyme or oregano can also enhance the marinade's flavor. Consider adding bell peppers or eggplant for more variety.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the garden kabobs over a bed of cooked rice, allowing the marinade to soak into the grains. Pair them with a fresh Broccoli-Flower Salad for a refreshing crunch. For a complete meal, consider adding a side of grilled corn or a light yogurt sauce for dipping.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover kabobs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use a microwave for quick heating. Avoid reheating on high to prevent drying out the meat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Garden Kabobs contains roughly 1827 calories, with 23g protein, 159g carbohydrates, and 122g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (46% of the Daily Value) and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2325mg per serving (101% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different vegetables for the kabobs?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize your kabobs with seasonal vegetables like bell peppers, asparagus, or even pineapple. Just be sure to cut them into similar sizes to ensure even cooking.
What type of skewers should I use?
Metal skewers are ideal as they withstand high heat and don’t require soaking like wooden ones. However, if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
Can I make these kabobs ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the kabobs and marinate them a day in advance. Just keep them refrigerated until you're ready to grill. This makes them a great option for meal prepping or for entertaining guests.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).