Description
This Beef Shish Kebab recipe features tender beef cubes marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, garlic, tomato paste, olive oil, and lemon juice, skewered with colorful bell peppers and red onion, then grilled to perfection. Ideal for a quick and delicious outdoor meal, these kebabs offer a vibrant mix of smoky, tangy, and savory flavors, perfect for entertaining or a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Beef
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 3 pounds beef tenderloin or top sirloin (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Vegetables
- 1 large green bell pepper (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 large red bell pepper (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 large yellow bell pepper (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 large red onion (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Instructions
- Mix Marinade and Add Beef. In a large bowl, combine salt, brown sugar, ground cumin, sweet paprika, ground black pepper, allspice, minced garlic, tomato paste, olive oil, and lemon juice to create the marinade. Transfer ¼ cup of the marinade to a large separate bowl and another ¼ cup to a smaller bowl. Add the cubed beef to the original bowl with the remaining marinade and toss well, ensuring all pieces are fully coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Marinade Vegetables. Add the cut green, red, and yellow bell peppers along with the red onion into the large bowl containing the reserved ¼ cup of marinade. Toss the vegetables well to coat them in the flavorful marinade. Set this bowl aside until ready to assemble the kebabs.
- Preheat Grill. Preheat your grill on high heat for 10 minutes to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for cooking. Once hot, lightly oil the grill grates using a brush or cloth dipped in oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Make Skewers. Assemble the kebabs by threading the marinated beef cubes alternately with pieces of onion and bell peppers onto skewers. Continue alternating ingredients until all are used, aiming to make about 8 skewers in total.
- Grill the Kebabs. Place the assembled shish kebabs on the preheated grill. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally to grill all sides evenly. During grilling, brush the kebabs a couple of times with the reserved ¼ cup of marinade in the smaller bowl to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Serve. Once grilled through and nicely charred, transfer the kebabs to a serving platter. Allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute for maximum tenderness and taste.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading helps prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Adjust the salt in the marinade according to your taste preferences.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the marinade.
- Make sure to cut the beef and vegetables into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Resting the kebabs after grilling is important to keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
