What to Serve with Shish Kabobs (15 Side Dishes)

Wondering what to serve with your grilled shish kabobs this summer? Here are 15 side dishes, sauces, salads and bases to consider. I've also included a few shish kabob recipes to try too!

A platter with saffron rice, grilled koobideh kebabs, grilled vegetables and sumac onions.

Jump to:

Shish Kabob Recipes to Try
Shish Kabob Bases and Starches
Shish Kabob Sides and Salads
Shish Kabob Sauces and Condiments

I’ve broken up this post into sections. You’ll find the basics like rice, pita and sauces. But I have included some more ideas to help you take this to the next level.

Kebab Recipes
Bases and Starches
Salads
Sauces and Sides

Shish Kabob Recipes to Try

Here I am including a few of my grilled kabob recipes including my Shish Tawook, Koobideh and Chicken Kofta recipes. Each of these recipes also includes serving suggestions.

A plate of shish tawook skewers with a side salad, pickled sumac onions and garlic sauce.

Authentic Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers)

This Authentic Shish Tawook recipe is so delicious and versatile that I guarantee you’ll add it to your summer grilling rotation. But guess what? You can make it in the cooler months too in an oven or on a grill pan. A staple at most Middle Eastern restaurants, there’s no reason for you not to make it at home!

Shish Tawook Recipe!

Kabob Koobideh (Persian Beef Kebab Recipe)

A staple in Persian cuisine, Kabob Koobideh can easily be prepared at home. This recipe is very straightforward and a perfect addition to your summer grilling rotation. The kebabs are delicious, smoky, fragrant and juicy!

Koobideh Recipe!

Beef kofta on a plate with a side of vegetables.

Beef Kofta (Easy Kafta Kebabs)

This beef kofta recipe combines accessible ground beef with aromatic Middle Eastern spices and fresh herbs. It’s a perfect recipe for a quick and easy lunch or weeknight dinner.

Beef Kofta Recipe!

Shish Kabob Bases and Starches

Here you will find some recipes for homemade pita (both Lebanese and Greek) as well as Vermicelli rice, which is a very flavorful and traditional rice recipe from the Levant. You can of course use standard steamed rice or even cauliflower rice if you prefer.

Lebanese Pita Bread (Traditional Khubz)

Making your own Lebanese Pita Bread is not as difficult as you may think! This recipe includes 3 different methods to make this quintessential Levantine flatbread.

Lebanese Pita Recipe!

A bowl with a stack of freshly made Greek pitas.

Homemade Greek Pita Bread Recipe

Homemade Greek Pita Bread is incredibly easy to make and so rewarding. The whole process can be done in under 90 minutes. This recipe uses standard pantry staples. Enjoy with your favorite dips or make your own wraps.

Greek Pita Recipe!

A plate with saffron rice garnished with pomegranate seeds, parsley and nuts.

How to Make Saffron Rice (Middle Eastern Recipe)

This Middle Eastern-style Saffron Rice recipe is delicious, fragrant, and incredibly versatile. It pairs well with many of my other recipes (stews, grilled proteins, and fish). Best of all, it comes together in less than 30 minutes, and most of the time is inactive!

Saffron Rice Recipe!

Vermicelli Rice

Whether you call this Lebanese Rice or Vermicelli rice, this an extremely flavorful, versatile and easy-to-make Middle Eastern rice side dish. Vermicelli pasta is toasted in butter with a cinnamon stick and cooked with long grain Basmati rice to make a fluffy and delicious side to serve with stews, curries, and grilled or roasted proteins.

Vermicelli Rice Recipe!

Shish Kabob Sides and Salads

When serving shish kebabs, consider including sides like French fries or roast potatoes and salads to help complete a meal. Batata Harra (spicy Lebanese potatoes are a must). I've also included some salad recipes that will pair well with homemade kebabs.

Bowl of spicy and herby potatoes with lemon wedges on the side.

Batata Harra (Spicy Lebanese Potatoes)

This 5-ingredient recipe for Spicy Lebanese Potatoes, also known as Batata Harra, is incredibly easy to prepare and comes together in under 30 minutes. It works great as a side dish or as part of a meze board.

Batata Harra Recipe!

Bowl of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and herbs.

Jerusalem Salad (Cucumber Tomato Salad)

This Palestinian Cucumber Tomato Salad, also known as Jerusalem Salad is a delicious and simple chopped salad that comes together in under 20 minutes! It's a perfect side for heavy and rich mains.

Jerusalem Salad Recipe!

Chopped salad with lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes in a bowl with crispy pita chips.

Authentic Lebanese Fattoush Salad

Fresh, refreshing and delicious, this authentic Lebanese Fattoush salad recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with its tangy dressing. Enjoy it as a side dish, an appetizer, or on its own. Best of all, it can be prepared in under 30 minutes!

Fattoush Salad Recipe!

Bowl of tahini chopped salad with sumac garnish.

Tahini Salad (Levantine Salata with Cucumber and Tomato)

This tahini salad recipe is so incredibly easy to make it comes together in under 15 minutes. Pair it with a hearty main dish or grilled and fried seafood. It’s also very adaptable and you can modify it to suit your tastes.

Tahini Salad Recipe!

Caramelized Eggplant Hummus

A classic hummus base topped with caramelized eggplant, this eggplant hummus has a great rich flavor without losing the traditional hummus taste. Serve this with pita or flatbread, crackers, or crudité for a tasty snack or fun main.

Eggplant Hummus Recipe!

Shish Kabob Sauces and Condiments

In terms of sauces, tahini lemon sauce works really well but yogurt-based sauces like tzatziki sauce and Turkish Cacik are also popular. Depending on the recipe, shish kebabs can be greasy so think about serving them with some pickles and other tangy sides to help cut through the fat.

Pink pickled turnips in a bowl on a board.

Lebanese Pickles (Pickled Turnips)

Lebanese pickles, or as I like to call them, shawarma pickles or pink pickles are a Middle Eastern staple that brings color and a sweet and sour touch to any dish. If you’ve ever had a shawarma or falafel wrap, chances are you have tried, and loved these pickled turnips!

Pickled Turnips Recipe!

Sumac Onions (Turkish Marinated Onion Salad)

Sumac Onions (Turkish Marinated Onion Salad) is a traditional Middle Eastern condiment perfect for grilled meats, fish, or a mezze platter. It’s not only popular in Turkey, but in The Levant as well. Best of all, it comes together in less than 15 minutes!

Sumac Onions Recipe!

A bowl with pickled pink cauliflower florets.

Levantine Pickled Cauliflower (Refrigerator Pickle)

Levantine pickled cauliflower is an easy and delicious entry into the wonderful world of preservation and pickling. This recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients. The deep pink color is so gorgeous and fun you might even get your kids to eat cauliflower!

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe!

Creamy tahini sauce garnished with sumac in a bowl with a spoon.

How to Make Lemon Tahini Sauce (Authentic and Easy)

A classic Middle Eastern condiment, Lemon Tahini Sauce is used to dress shawarma, grilled meats, falafels, and more. It’s rich, unctuous and nutty. And best of all, this creamy sauce comes together in under 5 minutes and with only 5 ingredients!

Lemon Tahini Sauce Recipe!

Mint yogurt sauce in a bowl with mint garnish.

Mint Yogurt Sauce (with Garlic and Lemon)

This mint yogurt sauce with garlic and lemon is a refreshing side or dip. It comes together in under 10 minutes and with 5 ingredients. The perfect accompaniment for heavy dishes like pulled lamb, beef kebabs, chicken shish tawook, Musakhan rolls

Mint Yogurt Sauce Recipe!

Turkish cacik in a bowl garnished with mint and olive oil.

Cacik (Turkish Cucumber Yogurt Dip Recipe)

Cacik (Turkish cucumber and yogurt dip) is a classic side dish, closely related to tzatziki and other yogurt dips from the Eastern Mediterranean. This refreshing and delicious dip pairs perfectly with rice dishes and grilled meats and vegetables. And it comes together in under 15 minutes!

Cacik Recipe!

If you make any of these recipes, please make sure to leave a rating and review. It's so helpful to other readers.

For more Urban Farm and Kitchen, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, visit the Urban Farm Shop, or subscribe for new posts via email.