Are you looking for some ideas for what to serve with kabobs for dinner? In this article, we’ll explore some ideal side dishes for inspiration. In addition, you’ll find out what foods go well with kabobs as well as what to serve together.
Famous in middle-eastern cuisine, kabobs, sometimes known as kebabs are a unique dish that can couple various herbs and spices, meats, and vegetables together.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best sides that you can serve with any type of kabob that you’re thinking of making.
Best Side Dishes for Kabobs
1. Rice
Boiled white rice is fresh and straightforward, which works well with kabobs. In addition, the flavor of white rice is quite mild, meaning it will complement the flavors of the kabobs nicely by allowing those more robust flavors to remain in the forefront.
Add a little garnish to your rice to spice it up a little, such as fresh cilantro, cherry tomatoes, or even diced and cooked zucchinis.
2. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a dip made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and other ingredients. This middle-eastern dip goes so well with kabobs – especially lamb. It goes well with salads, pittas, and boiled white rice with a little coriander. That combination might be the perfect pairing for what to serve up with your kabobs.
3. Pitta Bread
You can choose regular wholemeal pitta bread, white pitta bread, or even mini pitta bread. It doesn’t matter which you choose. Any pitta will go great with kabobs and help make the entire dish more filling for the whole family.
Make sure to warm your pitta bread to unlock all of the flavors and the actual texture. Just pop them in the toaster or under the grill until they are hot but not crisp.
4. Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad is a delicious crunchy salad that can freshen up the whole dish on a hot summer’s day. Combine this with some pitta bread and tzatziki, and you have a complete meal. There are hundreds of cucumber salad recipes on the web, so choose what appeals to you the most, or go with something simple like romaine lettuce and cucumbers.
5. Couscous
Couscous is an excellent alternative to rice when serving kabobs, and plenty of people will prefer it. Ensure that you wash your couscous before cooking to remove excess starches and then leave it aside to cool as you will enjoy it best cold.
Once cooled on the side or in the refrigerator, squeeze some lemon over the couscous, add a sprig of black pepper, then top with a bit of cilantro to complete a delicious couscous for kabobs.
6. Chickpea Salad
If cucumber salad is not your thing or you want something more substantial, then another excellent salad for serving with kabobs at the dinner table is chickpea salad.
All you have to do is cook your chickpeas and then cool them off in some ice water to bring them down to a temperature where you can combine them with your salad. Adding hot chickpeas to your salad can be a bit stomach-churning, so don’t skip this step.
There are some excellent chickpea salad recipes on the web, but you can also combine chickpeas with almost any salad you want. Just add a little extra virgin olive oil and mix well.
7. Chickpeas
If you like the idea of chickpeas, but you’re not such a fan of the chickpea salad then you can serve them either hot or cold on their own.
These make a good alternative to rice when serving up a side dish for kabobs. Just add a little salt and some other seasonings and mix well before letting them cool a little.
8. Quinoa
Quinoa is another good alternative to both rice and couscous as a side dish for kabobs. However, you’ll have to wash it thoroughly before cooking to remove any excess bitterness from the natural starches that are naturally high with quinoa.
You can liven up your quinoa by adding vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, and sun-dried tomatoes. Or you could use herbs and spices such as garlic or chilis. You could even choose to go simple and use some lemon zest with a bit of sugar for a tangy and fresh hoppy side dish.
9. Boiled Eggs
Boiled eggs are fantastic for serving with kabobs alongside rice, salad, couscous, or quinoa. They add in a different texture, and extra protein and the flavors work better than you’d think.
You can serve boiled eggs up whole or cut into halves, and some people like to toss quarters into their salads, like a caesar salad. Whatever your preference for your boiled eggs, they will work well.
10. Falafels
How about some delicious savory falafels? Combine fresh falafels with boiled eggs, chickpea salad, tzatziki sauce, and kabobs for a uniquely delicious fusion of the Mediterranean and middle-eastern classics.
Tip: If you can’t make your own then store-bought falafels can still be delicious, but look for ones that don’t look dry as they should not be dry.
Conclusion
If you are looking for some ideas for what to serve with kabobs then the above side dishes and foods will give you something to think about. No matter what type of kabob you serve, these options will give you something tasty to think about for next time.