Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely prep kabobs ahead of time! In fact, doing some prep work in advance can make putting together kabobs much easier. There are a few different ways to go about prepping kabobs early:
- Cut up all the vegetables, meat, etc. and store in the fridge/freezer until you’re ready to skewer and grill.
- Partially assemble the kabobs with sticky veggies like onions and pepper and meat, but leave off more delicate ingredients like cherry tomatoes until right before grilling.
- Fully assemble the kabobs and store in the fridge until ready to grill.
The main things to keep in mind are food safety practices like proper refrigeration and avoiding cross-contamination. As long as you store the prepped ingredients and assembled kabobs properly in the fridge until ready to grill, you can absolutely prep kabobs in advance.
How far in advance can you prep kabobs?
Most kabob ingredients like vegetables, meat, shrimp, etc. can be prepped 1-2 days in advance without any issue. Fully assembled kabobs can also be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days before grilling.
Here are some prep ahead timelines for common kabob ingredients:
- Cut vegetables: 1-2 days
- Cut raw meat/chicken: 1-2 days
- Marinated raw meat/chicken: 1 day max
- Cooked meat like shrimp or steak: 3-5 days
- Firm fruits like pineapple: 1-2 days
- Delicate fruits like strawberries: Same day
The cut vegetables, meat, shrimp, etc. will all last 1-2 days in the fridge. Fully assembled kabobs with meat and veggies can also be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days before grilling.
Marinades help infuse flavor but also increase risk of bacteria growth so stick to a 1 day max for marinated raw meats. Cooked meats and shrimp can go a bit longer at 3-5 days. Delicate fruit like strawberries are best added the same day you plan to grill and eat.
Steps for Prepping Kabobs Ahead
Here is a simple process for prepping kabobs in advance:
- Cut up all vegetables, fruits, proteins, and other kabob ingredients as desired and store refrigerated in individual containers.
- If marinating any meats or proteins, do that in the fridge 1 day before grilling.
- Partially or fully assemble kabobs and place in a pan or dish covered with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate the prepared kabob ingredients and assembled kabobs for up to 2 days.
- Remove kabobs from fridge about 30 minutes before grilling.
- Discard any cut produce or meat that has become slimy or smells bad.
- Slide partially assembled kabobs onto skewers and add any last minute ingredients like fresh herbs or delicate fruits.
- Oil the grill lightly and grill kabobs as desired, turning occasionally until cooked through.
The key things that can be done in advance are chopping all the vegetables, fruits, meat, etc. and fully or partially assembling the kabobs. Just be sure to refrigerate all the prepped ingredients until ready to grill to maximize freshness and food safety.
How to Store Kabobs for Grilling Later
Here are some tips for storing prepped kabob ingredients or fully assembled kabobs in the refrigerator:
- Store cut vegetables and fruits in airtight containers or bags.
- Place raw meat, chicken, shrimp in sealable bags or containers on bottom shelf of fridge to prevent juices from dripping on other ingredients.
- Make sure all containers are clearly labeled with ingredient and date prepped.
- Arrange assembled kabobs in a single layer on a pan and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
- Ensure fridge temp is at or below 40°F. Use prepped ingredients and kabobs within 1-2 days.
- Take kabobs out of fridge about 30 minutes before grilling to take off chill.
Proper storage is key for both food safety and quality. Keeping ingredients and assembled kabobs well chilled preserves freshness. Taking them out ahead to lose the chill prevents cold spots and uneven cooking on the grill.
Tips for Freezing and Thawing Kabobs
For longer term prepping, kabobs can also be frozen:
- Raw meat/chicken – Freeze meat chunks or strips in a single layer on a pan before transferring to a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before grilling.
- Cut vegetables – Blanch cut veggies like onions, bell peppers, zucchini before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before skewing and grilling.
- Fruit – Freeze bite-sized fruit like pineapple chunks spread out on a pan before transferring to a bag. Defrost in the fridge before using.
- Assembled kabobs – Flash freeze assembled skewers spread out on a pan until solid before storing stacked in freezer bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before grilling. Grill from partially frozen if needed.
Freezing is great for prepping ingredients or kabobs well in advance. Just be sure to thaw properly in the fridge before grilling for food safety.
Helpful Marinades for Flavorful Kabobs
Marinating meats, chicken or seafood before grilling adds lots of flavor. Here are some easy homemade marinade ideas:
For Beef Kabobs:
| Marinade | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Balsamic | Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, thyme, S&P |
| Asian | Soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic |
| Chimichurri | Parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, oregano |
For Chicken Kabobs:
| Marinade | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Yogurt | Plain yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, curry powder, cumin |
| Jerk | Jerk seasoning, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, oil |
| Tandoori | Yogurt, tandoori seasoning, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, cumin |
For Shrimp Kabobs:
| Marinade | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Coconut | Coconut milk, red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, cilantro |
| Cajun | Olive oil, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, Worcestershire, garlic |
| Tequila Lime | Tequila, lime juice and zest, olive oil, cilantro, chili powder |
Marinating for just 30 minutes to an hour can impart lots of flavor. For food safety, only marinate raw meats for max 1 day before grilling.
Top Vegetable, Meat and Fruit Choices
You can create kabobs using all different kinds of ingredients. Here are some top choices:
Vegetables:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Zucchini or summer squash
- Pineapple chunks
Meats:
- Beef – sirloin, tenderloin, ribeye
- Chicken – breast, thigh
- Pork – chops, tenderloin
- Sausage – chicken apple, kielbasa
- Shrimp
- Fish – salmon, tuna, halibut
Fruits:
- Pineapple
- Peaches
- Plums
- Mango
- Strawberries
- Grapes
Mix and match different meats, veggies and fruits for lots of fun flavor combinations. Consider alternating ingredients on the skewer for a nice presentation.
Helpful Tips for Grilling Kabobs
Follow these tips for grilling perfectly cooked kabobs:
- Use metal or bamboo skewers and soak bamboo in water 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cut ingredients into 1-2 inch pieces so everything cooks at similar rates.
- Brush kabobs lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill over medium high heat, turning occasionally until cooked through.
- Temp meat to ensure it reaches safe internal temperature – beef 145°F, chicken 165°F, shrimp 145°F.
- Watch closely to prevent burning since kabobs cook quickly with all the exposed surfaces.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
With these simple tips, you’ll end up with tender, juicy and flavorful homemade kabobs! Grilling kabobs is a fun and easy way to put a tasty spin on dinner.
Bonus: Creative Kabob Flavor Combinations
Mix and match these creative flavors to make your kabobs extra delicious:
- Hawaiian Chicken – chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, onion, teriyaki sauce
- Southwestern – steak, bell pepper, onion, zucchini, cumin lime seasoning
- Mediterranean – salmon, tomatoes, olives, artichokes, feta, basil
- Thai Peanut – shrimp, red bell pepper, snap peas, peanut sauce
- Fruit Fiesta – pineapple, mango, peach, grapes, honey lime drizzle
- Caprese – cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze
Get creative mixing sweet, savory, spicy and tangy flavors. The options for kabobs are endless!
Conclusion
Prepping kabobs ahead of time can make dinner so much easier. Cut up ingredients 1-2 days in advance or fully assemble kabobs and refrigerate until ready to grill. Marinate meats and proteins for extra flavor. Mix fun combinations of vegetables, fruits and marinated meats on skewers. Grill over medium high heat until cooked through. In just 20-30 minutes, you can have a fantastically fresh, flavorful homemade meal. Kabobs are a great choice for easy summer grilling and entertaining. With a little advance prep, you can pull together a tasty and impressive looking dinner in no time!