The Best Skewers for Grilling

It’s true. Food on a stick is a lot more fun to eat. So we poked veggies, fruit, meat, and everything in between, to test a bunch of kebabs on the grill.

The result: the best skewers for your grilling needs!

Choosing the Best Skewers for Grilling Kabobs

While all skewers can technically do the job, choosing a skewer will ultimately depend on two things: are you willing to take the time to soak the wooden skewer or, you’d rather deal with washing the skewers after? 

While grilling kabobs is a simple thing to do, ultimately the best skewer will be the one that fits your grill and is the right size for the food you’re trying to hold.

Skewers are one of the many grilling accessories and most people benefit from having a couple of different types of skewers on hand.

Are Metal or Wooden Skewers Better?

Since wooden skewers are a single-use item, they’re great if you’d rather not deal with the cleanup and are willing to take the 30 minutes required to soak them in water so they don’t burn. 

Metal skewers do not require soaking, will last a long time, tend to wash easily, and come in various girths for different types of skewers. 

Best Overall Skewers

They must clean easily, can be held after grilling, must be reusable, hold thick pieces of meat, and be able to poke shrimp and veggies without them falling off into the grill.

Stainless Steel Skewers

While most reusable skewers are made of stainless steel, it’s their shape, size, and overall design that determines whether it’s worth buying or not. Cheaper ones tend to aggravate the most seasoned grillers so consider spending a little more to invest in stress-free meals.

Budget Friendly

If you’re on a budget you have two options: use inexpensive wooden skewers or buy a starter stainless steel set that will last several grilling seasons.

Flat Metal Skewers

Flat metal skewers are the best for holding larger pieces of proteins and vegetables without them falling off and down the grill. They come in several widths so the one downside is preventing smaller veggies and shrimp from splitting. Don’t worry, the ones below keep everything on!

Re-useable Skewers

Reusable skewers need to last, hold your food well, wash easily, and be stored away. Whether you’re hosting smaller gatherings or groups, long-term reusable is the way to go.

Wooden Skewers

You either love them or hate them but the truth is that wooden skewers often become a top pick for prepping ahead and eliminating cleanup. They come in various thicknesses and lengths, and that will determine what they’ll hold best.

Best for Shrimp

The best wooden skewers for shrimp are smaller and thinner but can still your food on the skewer while grilling.

Best for Veggies

When it comes to grilling veggies you can poke them or place them on a tray. Want the most suitable of both worlds? get a skewer basket and hold your items inside without the need to poke!

Best so Meat Doesn’t Fall Off

For meat eaters and larger skewers, the biggest issue is the ability to hold all the weight on the skewer, especially when flipping.

Best for Marshmallows

There’s a reason there are skewers designed for marshmallows: longer length for safety and a slim end that will fit both regular and jumbo-sized marshmallows. You also don’t want to use your meat skewers for marshmallows since cleanup is stickier.

No Skewer Method

Want to skip the hassle of poking food through a stick? You have two options, throw all your food on a grilling tray or the skewer-cage method. 

Best Skewer & Kabob Recipes

Need some recipes to get you cooking on your new skewers? I’ve got you covered with one of these kabob recipes. 

• Beef Kabobs
• Chicken Skewers
• Vegetable Kabobs
• Oven Kabobs