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!
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.
5 from 7 votes
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!
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!
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.
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.
4.50 from 4 votes
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.
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.
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!
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.
If you’ve never had Tahdig (Crispy Persian Rice with Saffron) before, get ready for a real treat. This golden, crispy-bottomed rice dish is a Persian classic and the crown jewel of any meal. I still remember the first time I flipped a pot and revealed that perfectly crunchy layer.
Level up with this Mediterranean Yellow Rice Recipe. It's easy to make, incredibly flavorful and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or even a simple fresh salad. It gets its gorgeous golden color from ground turmeric.
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). Also try my garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes. I’ve also included some salad recipes that will pair well with homemade kebabs.
5 from 5 votes
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Also, try serving with Turkish Ezme (a condiment made of finely chopped vegetables).
5 from 4 votes
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
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!
