Kabobs are great for when you’re looking for something that’s simple in concept but complex in execution. Kabobs are a great choice for almost any occasion, but you’ll probably want to serve something more than just them!
Kabobs are incredibly popular because of how many different ways they can be done. You can stick meats, fish, fruit, vegetables, and more into a kabob recipe and come up with something amazing. You’ll have to take into consideration the unique ingredient makeup of your kabobs when picking out a side dish.
We hope that you’ll find loads of inspiration within this article, and that you’ll be whipping up amazing and delicious meals in no time!
Contents
17 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve With Kabobs
We’ve compiled a list of seventeen of the best side dish ideas for the next time you’re looking to make kabobs. We hope you find an amazing meal out of this list!
1. Coconut Rice
A lot of people choose to serve kabobs in the summer, which means you might be incorporating sweet fruits or grilled meats into them. Coconut rice will go great alongside these types of kabobs, especially if you’re serving up a Hawaiian meal!
This recipe is extremely simple; just use coconut milk instead of water to cook the rice.
2. Corn on the Cob
Let’s not waste too much time before we get to an essential. Pretty much everyone has had some corn on the cob in their lifetime. It’s a really popular side dish, so you can safely bet it’ll be a hit with any group.
Not to mention, it’s also extremely simple to whip up. Since kabobs themselves are generally pretty simple, it makes sense to have a simple side dish alongside them!
3. French Fries
French fries are a great option to serve alongside kabobs, especially if you’re serving them in the summer. French fries are really versatile, and are generally really popular, so they should always be a hit.
Plus, you and whoever else you’re serving can customize the french fries to their heart’s content with various condiments and toppings!
4. Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit healthier than french fries, try sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have a flavor that’s amazingly tasty, but also simple enough to match well with even the most basic kabobs.
For an added bonus, try cutting them up into fries or serving them in some other unique way! Your guests will surely be impressed with whatever you conjure up.
5. Salt and Vinegar Potatoes
As yet another alternative to french fries that isn’t quite so hard on the diet, try this. These potatoes are roasted rather than fried, and offer a great solution for someone who doesn’t like sweet potatoes but who still wants something healthier than french fries.
Considering how much fruit and meat usually go into kabobs, you’ll probably want a starch to balance things out a bit. This is a great option for that.
6. Grilled Fruit
Alright, we promise we’re going to stop with all the potatoes for a little while! If you aren’t already putting fruit on your kabobs, then try serving them with grilled fruit!
There’s a reason so many kabob recipes include fruit as an ingredient- it just pairs really well with kabobs and their other ingredients! Might as well take advantage of this when picking a side dish.
7. Simple Salad
If you’re pressed for time, then nothing beats a simple salad to serve alongside your kabobs. Salads go with pretty much any meal- why do you think they’re offered at every restaurant?
It doesn’t have to be complicated- just throw together some lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, and cucumbers, grab your favorite dressing, and you’re good to go!
8. Cauliflower Rice
This is a unique take on the basic rice side dish that your guests are sure to find creative. It might take you a bit longer than standard rice to cook, but it’s a healthier option and one that’s more unique if that’s what you’re looking for.
If plain cauliflower rice sounds too bitter or boring to you, try spicing it up in similar ways to how you’d spice rice up. Get creative, and think about what would match well with your kabobs!
9. Grilled Vegetables
We mentioned grilled fruit up above, but grilled vegetables work super well as a side dish for kabobs, too. This is a great alternative if you have a kabob recipe that already uses fruit, and it’ll add some extra health, too.
Zucchini, baby squash, and corn generally work the best in terms of grilled vegetables, but get creative! Play around with grilling different vegetables and see what you get.
10. Pasta Salad
Ah, a summer classic. You just can’t beat pasta salad when someone asks you to whip up a side dish. There are so many options for pasta salad, just like with kabobs.
This means that there’s tons of room for creativity and experimentation; this is really important when you’re trying to consider a side that will be a good option no matter what type of kabob you’re trying to make.
11. Parmesan Broccoli
Parmesan broccoli will have a nice, sharp taste that will stand out well alongside the multiple-ingredient kabobs you might be making.
The parmesan will help soften the bitterness that a lot of people often attribute to broccoli, so even your pickiest vegetable eaters will probably find something to like with this side dish!
12. Grilled Zucchini Salad
Remember how we mentioned that you can grill zucchini above? Well, it just so happens that you can throw it in a salad, too! This is a great way to exoticize your grilled vegetables.
Feta cheese and a poppyseed dressing is a combination that often works well with a grilled zucchini salad, but of course, you can always substitute these things for something you feel might work better!
13. Fried Eggplant
This one might be a bit harder to find fans of, but we know that there are still plenty of people out there who enjoy a good eggplant!
Frying something like eggplant will help it go well thematically with something like kabobs in the summer. Lots of people tend to consume fried foods during this time of year, so it makes sense to add fried eggplant into the mix!
14. Coleslaw
This is another classic side dish. If you’ve ever gone to a picnic or potluck of some kind, chances are someone there has brought along coleslaw. It goes well with pretty much any food, especially if your kabobs are made up of lots of grilled meats.
Plus, if you’re in a rush, you can always buy some from your local supermarket instead of making it.
15. Strawberry Spinach Salad
If you don’t have any fruits in your kabob recipe and grilled fruit isn’t appealing to you, try a strawberry spinach salad!
This is amazingly healthy for you and whoever else you might be serving. The strawberry will give some great flavor to the salad, helping to offset the somewhat-bitter taste that spinach can sometimes have.
16. Honey-Glazed Carrots
If you want something sweet but healthy, try honey-glazed carrots! These are a great way to make vegetables seem much more appetizing to picky eaters.
The sweetness of the honey will work super well with the tastes often found in kabobs, especially if they’re already sweetened by the inclusion of certain fruits.
17. Dinner Rolls
If all else fails, go back to an absolute staple. Dinner rolls are very plain and simple, with lots of different options for customization with spreads.
This makes them easily compatible with any meal, including kabobs. If you’re still stuck on what to serve or you’re really looking for something extremely simple, go with this. Trust us.
Wrap-Up
We hope you were able to find some great inspiration from this list! We wish you the utmost luck in your kabob-making endeavors. Remember, because kabobs can be done so many different ways, not every side dish is great for every kabob. Did you use one of our side dishes for your meal? Let us know how it turned out below!
What to Serve with Kabobs
Ingredients
- Coconut Rice
- Corn on the Cob
- French Fries
- Sweet Potatoes
- Salt and Vinegar Potatoes
- Grilled Fruit
- Simple Salad
- Cauliflower Rice
- Grilled Vegetables
- Pasta Salad
- Parmesan Broccoli
- Grilled Zucchini Salad
- Fried Eggplant
- Coleslaw
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Honey-Glazed Carrots
- Dinner Rolls
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe from the list above.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prepare and enjoy in 30 minutes or less!