Juicy Bourbon Marinated Steak Kabobs: Your Ultimate Grilling Guide
Prepare for an explosion of flavor with these incredible Steak Kabobs, the perfect centerpiece for any summer gathering or backyard barbecue. Each succulent piece of steak is first lovingly bathed in our signature, deeply flavorful bourbon marinade, ensuring maximum tenderness and taste. Then, they are artfully threaded onto skewers, alternating with vibrant, colorful bell peppers, earthy mushrooms, and sweet onions. The result? A visually stunning and incredibly delicious meal that promises to delight your taste buds and impress your guests. Whether you’re hosting a grand summer party or simply enjoying a casual weeknight dinner, these grilled steak kabobs are designed for effortless elegance and unforgettable flavor. Get ready to elevate your grilling game and create memorable moments around the fire!
Why These Bourbon Steak Kabobs Are a Must-Try
This isn’t just another kabob recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for maximum flavor and ease. Our go-to steak kabob recipe stands out primarily due to its incredible bourbon marinade. This isn’t just any marinade – it’s a carefully crafted blend featuring the rich sweetness of brown sugar, the distinct warmth of bourbon, the savory depth of soy sauce, and a subtle kick from horseradish sauce and mustard. This dynamic combination penetrates deep into the beef, tenderizing it beautifully and infusing it with layers of complex flavor that truly sing on the grill. When you bite into these grilled steak kabobs, you’ll immediately understand why this marinade is a game-changer.
Beyond the phenomenal marinade, these kabobs offer a delightful textural contrast. We layer the marinated beef cubes with perfectly sliced bell peppers, sweet red onion, and hearty mushrooms. The bell peppers, in their vibrant array of colors, add a sweet crunch, while the onions caramelize beautifully, bringing out their natural sugars. The mushrooms, with their meaty texture, soak up the surrounding flavors and develop an irresistible char. This thoughtful combination of ingredients ensures every skewer is a balanced symphony of taste and texture, making these the ideal classic kabobs for any summer grilling session. But don’t limit them to just warm weather – they’re equally fantastic for a cozy winter meal, bringing a taste of summer sunshine indoors!
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its incredible versatility. While bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms are classic choices, you can easily customize your beef and veggie skewers with other garden-fresh produce. Imagine adding slices of tender zucchini, sweet yellow squash, or juicy cherry tomatoes. These vegetables not only contribute to the visual appeal but also develop a unique sweetness and a delicious smoky char when cooked over an open flame. The slight caramelization from the grill enhances their natural flavors, making them even more appealing. Feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonal vegetables, ensuring they are cut into pieces roughly the same size as your steak for even cooking. This adaptability makes these grilled steak kabobs a staple for creative cooks and a hit with diverse palates.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Steak Kabobs
Crafting delicious grilled steak kabobs starts with selecting the right ingredients. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need to create these mouth-watering skewers. For precise measurements and a full list of ingredients, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the end of this comprehensive guide.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding your ingredients is key to making the best steak kabobs. Here’s what you need to know about each component and how you can adapt the recipe to your preferences.
BEEF – For these delightful skewers, we highly recommend using sirloin steak or strip steak, also known as New York strip. These cuts are ideal because they allow you to easily cut uniform, bite-sized chunks, which is crucial for even cooking on the grill. Additionally, both sirloin and strip steak are leaner than some other cuts, meaning they contain less fat. This is a significant advantage when grilling, as fattier cuts tend to shrink more. Less shrinkage means more delicious, meaty bites on your kabobs! While other cuts like ribeye can be used, they may require more careful trimming and might cook differently due to their higher fat content. Always aim for a firm, bright red cut of beef for the best results.
MARINADE – The heart and soul of these bourbon marinated steak kabobs is our homemade bourbon marinade. This special blend brings together brown sugar for sweetness, bourbon for a unique depth of flavor, soy sauce for umami, and a touch of horseradish and mustard for a savory, tangy kick. We genuinely believe this marinade transforms ordinary steak into something extraordinary, and it’s a key reason why this recipe is so popular. However, we understand that you might have a go-to marinade or prefer to try something different. Feel free to substitute with any of your favorite steak marinades. If you’re looking for a classic, non-bourbon option, we also have an excellent steak marinade recipe that is specifically designed for grilling and delivers fantastic results.
VEGGIES – What are beef and vegetable skewers without a vibrant assortment of produce? Our classic combination includes colorful bell peppers and sweet red onion. The bell peppers, whether red, orange, or yellow, add both visual appeal and a sweet, slightly smoky flavor when grilled. Red onions become wonderfully sweet and tender as they cook. Mushrooms are another fantastic addition, offering a hearty, meaty texture and an earthy depth of flavor that complements the beef beautifully. If mushrooms aren’t your preference, you can certainly omit them or swap them for other vegetables. When preparing your vegetables, the golden rule is to cut them all into roughly the same size chunks as your cubed beef. This ensures that everything cooks evenly on the grill, preventing some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked. Consider adding cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or yellow squash for even more variety and flavor. Each vegetable brings its own unique character to the kabobs!
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Steak Kabobs
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Before you begin marinating, carefully inspect your sirloin or strip steak. If there are any significant fatty areas, trim them off. While some fat adds flavor, excessive fat can cause flare-ups on the grill and contribute to uneven cooking. Once trimmed, cut the steak into large, uniform bite-sized chunks, aiming for pieces approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in size. Place these beef cubes into a sturdy zip-top bag or a shallow non-reactive dish. Pour your chosen marinade – our highly recommended bourbon marinade – over the steak, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Allow the steak to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour, or for an even deeper flavor infusion, up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- EXPERT TIP – To prevent the meat from scorching and to achieve a beautiful sear, it’s crucial to remove the marinated steak from the liquid and thoroughly pat it dry with paper towels just before cooking. This removes excess moisture, allowing the meat to caramelize rather than steam on the hot grill.
- While your steak is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Cut all bell peppers (red, orange, or any color you prefer for a vibrant mix) and the red onion into large, uniform bite-sized chunks. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size as your cubed beef to ensure everything cooks evenly. Place these chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the whole or halved mushrooms to the bowl with the bell peppers and onions. Pour in the bottled Italian salad dressing. This dressing acts as a simple, effective marinade for your vegetables, adding moisture and a delicious zesty flavor that complements the richness of the steak. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Achieving the correct grill temperature is essential for perfectly cooked grilled steak kabobs. For gas grills, this usually means setting burners to medium-high and allowing 10-15 minutes to heat up. For charcoal grills, aim for coals that are glowing orange with a light ash cover.
- Now for the fun part: assembly! Carefully thread the beef chunks and seasoned vegetables onto your metal skewers. Alternate between meat and vegetables to ensure a beautiful presentation and allow all ingredients to cook evenly and impart flavors to each other. Don’t pack the skewers too tightly; leave a little space between each piece for hot air to circulate, promoting better charring and cooking.
- Place the assembled steak kabobs directly on the preheated grill grates. Cook for approximately 20 minutes in total, turning them every 4-5 minutes to ensure all sides of the beef and vegetables get evenly cooked and beautifully charred. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness for the steak and the heat of your grill. For medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into a piece of steak to check for accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Steak Kabobs
To ensure your delicious grilled steak kabobs remain fresh, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. You can store the kabobs whole or remove the ingredients from the skewers. Kept in the refrigerator, these leftovers will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3-4 days. They make for excellent next-day lunches or a quick reheat dinner!
For these steak kabobs, an ideal marinating time ranges from 1 to 8 hours. Since you’re working with smaller, cubed chunks of meat as opposed to a thick, whole cut of steak, an hour or two will be sufficient to infuse a good amount of flavor and tenderize the beef. However, for an even deeper, more robust flavor profile, it’s perfectly acceptable, and often recommended, to let them marinate overnight (up to 8-12 hours) in the refrigerator. Just be careful not to over-marinate with acidic marinades, which can start to break down the meat too much after 24 hours.
Absolutely, you can definitely use wooden skewers for your beef and veggie skewers! However, there’s an important step you shouldn’t skip to prevent them from catching fire on the grill: always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20-30 minutes before threading your ingredients. This saturates the wood, making it much less prone to igniting over direct heat. Metal skewers are reusable and don’t require soaking, offering a convenient alternative if you grill kabobs frequently.
As mentioned, sirloin steak and strip steak (New York strip) are excellent choices due to their balance of tenderness, flavor, and lean characteristics that allow for even cubing and less shrinkage. Other good options include tenderloin (filet mignon) for ultimate tenderness, though it can be more expensive, or flank steak/skirt steak, which should be cut against the grain after grilling to maximize tenderness.
The best way to determine doneness for your grilled steak kabobs is with an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the center of a piece of steak on a skewer. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C). For medium, 135-140°F (57-60°C). For medium-well, 140-145°F (60-63°C). Remember that the temperature will rise slightly after you remove the kabobs from the grill (carryover cooking), so it’s good to pull them off a few degrees before your target.
Yes, if grilling isn’t an option, you can still enjoy these delicious steak kabobs! To cook them in the oven, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Bake for 15-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the steak reaches your desired doneness and the vegetables are tender-crisp. For a broiled version, place the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet under a preheated broiler (about 6 inches from the heat source) for 8-12 minutes, turning frequently, until cooked through and nicely charred.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Steak Kabobs
These flavorful steak kabobs are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. While they are certainly substantial enough to be enjoyed on their own, especially with the added vegetables, they truly shine when served alongside complementary flavors and textures. For a classic and satisfying meal, consider pairing them with fluffy white rice or a rich, creamy mashed potato dish. If you’re looking for lighter options, a fresh dinner salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or a refreshing pasta salad, would be excellent choices. For those who love comfort food, a cheesy mac and cheese provides a delightful contrast to the savory steak. These grilled steak kabobs are a true crowd-pleaser and are perfect for casual summer barbecues, but their rich flavor profile makes them equally delicious and appropriate for any meal, all year round!
More Irresistible Grill Recipes to Try
If you loved these grilled steak kabobs, you’re in for a treat! The grill offers endless possibilities for delicious meals. Here are some of our other favorite recipes perfect for firing up the barbecue:
- Zesty Garlic Herb Shrimp Kabobs
- Flavorful Greek Chicken Kabobs
- Juicy Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers
- Sweet & Smoky Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Skewers
I absolutely adore sharing my passion for baking and cooking, and bringing my kitchen experiences directly to all of you! Keeping up with new recipes daily can be a challenge, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe is published. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes, ensuring you never miss out on delicious inspiration!
Steak Kabobs
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds sirloin steak or strip steak, cut into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 ½ cups bourbon marinade
- ½ red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ orange bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ red onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- 8 ounces mushrooms whole or halved, depending on size
- 1 cup bottled Italian salad dressing for vegetables
Things You’ll Need
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Large mixing bowl
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Metal skewers
Before You Begin – Important Notes & Prep Tips
- We used metal skewers for this recipe. If you opt for wooden skewers, it is absolutely essential to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling. This prevents them from burning or catching fire over the hot grill.
- For optimal and even cooking, strive to cut all your vegetables (bell peppers, onions, and any other additions) into pieces that are roughly the same size as your cubed beef. This ensures everything finishes cooking around the same time.
- The rich, complex flavor of these steak kabobs largely comes from our signature bourbon marinade, which we enthusiastically recommend! However, if you have another favorite marinade, or prefer a non-alcoholic option, feel free to substitute it. Our classic steak marinade recipe is also a fantastic choice, specifically formulated for grilling.
- For the best flavor and tenderness, aim to marinate your steak cubes for 1 to 8 hours. Even an hour or two will significantly enhance the taste and texture due to the smaller size of the meat chunks. For an even more intense flavor, marinating them overnight (up to 12 hours) is perfectly fine and often yields superior results.
- Always pat your marinated steak dry with paper towels just before placing it on the grill. This step is crucial for achieving a beautiful, caramelized crust rather than a steamy, grey exterior.
Instructions
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Begin by preparing your steak. Trim off any excessively large fatty areas from the sirloin or strip steak. Then, cut the steak into uniform, large bite-sized chunks, ideally 1 to 1.5 inches. Place these steak cubes into a zip-top bag or a shallow non-reactive dish. Pour the bourbon marinade over the steak, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and tenderize the meat.
TIP – For a perfect sear and to prevent scorching, remove the marinated steak from the liquid and pat it completely dry with paper towels just before grilling. This ensures a beautiful caramelization on the exterior.
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While the steak marinates, prepare your vegetables. Cut all bell peppers (red, orange, etc.) and the red onion into large, roughly 1-inch bite-sized chunks, similar in size to your steak pieces. Place these chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
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Add the mushrooms (whole or halved, depending on size) to the bowl with the other vegetables. Pour in the bottled Italian salad dressing and toss everything together until the vegetables are thoroughly coated. This dressing will lightly marinate the vegetables, adding a fantastic zest.
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Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Allow sufficient time (10-15 minutes) for the grill to reach the optimal temperature for grilling kabobs, ensuring consistent cooking and good char marks.
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Carefully thread the marinated beef cubes and seasoned vegetables onto your metal skewers (or pre-soaked wooden skewers). Alternate between meat and vegetables, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking and proper charring.
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Place the assembled steak kabobs directly onto the hot grill grates. Cook for a total of approximately 20 minutes, turning the skewers every 4-5 minutes to ensure all sides are evenly cooked and beautifully seared. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak for your preferred doneness (e.g., 130-135°F for medium-rare). Once cooked, remove from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store leftover steak kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the steak.
- Don’t overcrowd the skewers. Leaving a little space ensures better air circulation and more even cooking and charring on all sides of your beef and vegetables.
- Always preheat your grill properly to a consistent medium-high heat. This high initial heat helps create a good sear on the meat and vegetables, locking in juices and flavors.
- For consistent results with steak doneness, invest in a good instant-read meat thermometer. It’s the most reliable way to ensure your steak is cooked exactly how you like it.
- Feel free to experiment with different vegetables! Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and yellow squash are fantastic additions that grill beautifully. Just remember to cut them to similar sizes for even cooking.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.