Soft and succulent, kabobs are tender and juicy marinated and grilled meat served with grilled vegetables. There is tons of smoky and garlicky flavor that cannot be missed in every bite.
Kabobs are a favorite season-less and flavor packed meal. Typically, served as a main entree, it requires a side or two to make a wholesome and filling dish.
What to eat with kabobs? Kabobs are generally served with seasoned rice pilaf, corn, roasted vegetables, dipping sauce, and salad. However, the selection may vary based on type of meat.
Beef and lamb kabobs pair wonderfully with all kinds of grilled veggies, baked potatoes, side of rice and salad.
Chicken kebabs can be served with grains, pita bread with hummus and vinaigrette based dressing salad.
Regardless of the meat choice, kabobs are great for dinner, potlucks, or camping since they are easy to cook, and make a delicious and nutritious meal. It is versatile item that can be paired with variety of other foods.
Answered below are frequently asked questions about what to eat with kebobs. This article shares classic flavor combinations and what kind of rice, salad, bread, or ingredients for maximum flavor enjoyment.
What flavor goes well with kabobs?
Flavors like peppers, onions, and pineapple work pretty well with kabobs. The right herbs and spices help to achieve smoky charred flavor with a hint of garlicky sweetness.
Also, you can add marinade with a hint of Asian flavors, including combining ginger with brown sugar and garlic to make it sweet and spicy.
Other flavor ingredients include eggplant, lemony herb, and mushrooms. For a final rush flavor, consider honey.
Here are classic flavor combination that go well with kabobs:
- kabobs + coconut + lemon + white rice
- kabobs + garlic + butter + baked potatoes + salt
- kabobs + couscous + red peppers + feta cheese
- kabobs + pita bread + tzatziki + hummus
- kabobs + yogurt + cucumber + lemon + dill + mint + salt + black pepper
What kind of rice goes with kabobs?
To make full meal, rice is great addition to pair with kabobs other than roasted vegetables. Depending on the kabob sauces or marinade, the rice choice may vary.
From white to brown, and basmati, there are many types of rice to serve plain or seasoned to improve a kabob dish. Flavored rice pilaf is the classic combo for tasty and comforting side dish.
What salad to serve with shish kabobs?
In general, Greek salad and shish kabobs will never go out of style. A perfect combination of crisp greens topped with fresh veggies is a win. However, it is not the only salad to serve with shish kabobs.
- Potato salad: Creamy and savory potato salad and shish kabobs are other classic combinations. Add creamy mayonnaise to make the dish a real hit.
- Cucumber salad: Shish kabob with fresh cucumber salad is a simple and delicious dish that guests will demand more. The trick is to add sliced red onions and tomatoes to the mixture, then toss with the perfect lemon herb vinaigrette.
- Couscous salad: Little bit of grain to mix with greens for a filling side to pair with shish kabobs when there is no rice pilaf in sight. In one dish you can load up grains, carb, and fiber.
- Caprese salad: Prepare slices of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and top with fresh basil for a quick and easy salad that goes well with kabobs. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and lemon juice with olive oil to complete the touch.
Bread to serve with kabobs
Kabobs are incomplete without bread, and the most common bread to serve together is pita bread. The semi-dry, dense, and chewy pita bread is similar to other flatbreads, and they taste the best with kabobs.
Other bread to serve with kabobs:
- garlic bread
- flatbread
- french bread
- naan
- zaatar bread
What to serve with chicken skewers?
Chicken skewers are simple to prepare and can be perfect finger food that goes well with many side dishes. It’s easy to prepare and marinate with flavors that go well with a colorful stack of veggies.
- Grains: One of the perfect combinations is a chicken skewer with coconut rice, especially if you want an extra crunch. For refreshing taste, go with lemon rice and use white, brown, or cauliflower rice.
- Appetizer: Always serve chicken skewers with pita bread and hummus for dipping. The juicy and flavorful chicken skewers can be sandwiched in-between pita bread pocket and smearing with hummus spread is an excellent way to serve kabob.
- Salad: Greek salad and chicken skewer are hard to beat. The combination is delicious and an ideal choice for dinner. First, Greek salad comes with tomatoes that give the meal a refreshing flavor, and cucumber brings a crunchy texture.
- Dipping sauce: Tzatziki and chicken skewer is a light pairing that is more entertaining to eat. Other sauces for dipping include cucumber yogurt with beef kabobs, feta dill sauce with chicken kabobs, curried yogurt sauce with shrimp kebabs.
- Potato chips: Enjoying chicken skewers with potato chips is a simple solution for a light snack before supper. The combination is delicious, but you can add other flavors such as chili to make it extra special.

Eat with Kabobs: Conclusion
Kabobs are insanely delicious, but taste even better when paired with the right side dishes. The grilled meat skewers are versatile, making them the perfect addition to just about any meal.
Depending on the type of meat and marinade, the side pairing can change. But typically, to make complete meal, serve kabobs with rice pilaf, corn, grilled vegetables, sauce for dip, and fresh salad.
The most popular meat option is chicken, and skewers are served with seasoned rice, pita bread with hummus, Greek salad, tzatziki, and crunchy potato chips.
Regardless of meat type, kabobs taste good with flavorful rice pilaf including lemon, turmeric, coconut, pesto, lemon herb, garlic, and cilantro lime rice.
When ditching rice dish, go with a salad such as potato salad, cucumber yogurt salad, couscous salad, and caprese salad.
Other classic sides to serve with kabob is pita bread with hummus. It has nice size pocket and dense enough to hold the meat and sauce pretty well when you tear apart.
However, if pita is not available, replace with garlic read, flatbread, naan, or zaatar bread.
Just play around with kabobs as the main item and pair with ingredients in your kitchen. You never know, you might discover a new favorite!