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5 Best Marinades for Kabobs

by Laura Fuentes

Jul 3, 2023
updated Jul 25, 2023

All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Make your kabobs taste even better with these quick and easy marinade recipes!

You can tenderize your favorite protein and add delicious flavor to beef, chicken, and veggies with simple ingredients in just a few minutes. Check how below!

a collage of the best kabob marinades

Should I Marinate Kabobs Before Grilling?

You don’t need to marinate kabobs before grilling them, but you’ll want to! Marinades infuse meat and veggies with delicious flavors while they help to tenderize beef, chicken, and other proteins. So, it’s not necessary, but highly recommended!

Whether you make the most of the grilling season outdoors or enjoy cooking kabobs in the oven, simple marinades are your ally for mouthwatering skewers. The best part: 15 to 30 minutes is enough to marinate veggies and protein!

Best Marinades for Kabobs

These quick and easy marinades will turn good kabobs into epic ones!

Beef Kabob Marinade
5 from 17 votes
Infuse your meat with this marinade to tenderize beef and infuse tons of flavor. Skewers turn out soft, juicy, and tasty!
Make This Recipe
Vegetable Marinade for Kabobs
5 from 33 votes
Want super tasty veggie kabobs? Marinate them with this quick and simple marinade made of olive oil, lemon, and garlic.
Make This Recipe
small bowl of lemon chicken marinade after it has been stirred
Lemon Chicken Marinade
5 from 26 votes
20 minutes is all you need to make this lemon marinade infuse chicken kabobs with bright flavors! Simple and delicious!
Make This Recipe
Orange Chicken Marinade
Give your chicken kebabs an irresistible tangy-sweet flavor with this fast and simple marinade. Just four basic ingredients needed!
Make This Recipe
Cilantro Lime Marinade
5 from 20 votes
Lime and cilantro come together for a fresh, citric, and perfect mix you can use for marinating all kinds of protein super fast!
Make This Recipe

How Long to Marinate Kabobs Before Grilling

When you make marinades with a citric ingredient 15 to 20 minutes is all you need for any protein to absorb the flavors. Veggies need a little longer, at least 30 minutes but can marinate as long as 4 hours.

Citrus and acidic marinades begin to break down the proteins after 4 hours so that is the maximum recommended. For non-citrus-based marinades, you can let chicken or beef marinade overnight, but not more than a day. For perfect results, follow the recipe or marinade instructions.

Tips for Marinating Kabobs

While marinating is a simple process that requires little supervision: follow these tips for the best results:

Cut the meat before marinating
Although you can marinate whole chicken breasts or a piece of beef, you’ll get more flavorful and tender meat by cutting it into even pieces before marinating. This will ensure that every piece absorbs the marinade. 

Use a bowl, tray, or zip bag
You can marinate veggies or meat pieces inside a bowl, a marinating tray, or a zip bag. If the skewers are already assembled, soak them using a marinating tray.

Prep the skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes while the meat or veggies marinate. This way, you prevent them from burning on the grill or in the oven.

Discard the marinade
No matter what of these delicious kabobs marinades from above you decide to use, always discard them after using them.

Don’t overcook
While marinades help to tenderize meat, overcooking beef and chicken could turn out dry, rubbery meat. To check doneness, I recommend using a meat thermometer to get juicy and perfect kabobs every time.

by Laura Fuentes

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