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What To Serve With Kabobs – 42 BEST Side Dishes

If you’re wondering what to serve with your kabobs, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 42 of the most popular side dishes for kabobs.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with kabobs are pita bread, fattoush salad, Persian rice pilaf, and spiced potatoes. You can also serve herbed smashed cucumbers, Mediterranean pasta salad, apricot couscous, or grilled pineapples. For condiments, try garlic sauce or pickled red onions. 

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Fattoush salad

The toasted pita chips add a satisfying crunch to this salad and its bright lemon vinaigrette brings a tangy flavor.

Psst… don’t skip the ground sumac in the dressing. It makes the salad with its uniquely floral notes.

For an extra sweet boost, add pomegranate molasses or fresh pomegranate seeds. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s a tasty way to use up the veggies you have on hand.

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Jeweled Persian rice pilaf

Level up your plain white rice with this rice pilaf.

The rice is cooked in a mixture of broth and warming spices, then dried fruit and nuts are mixed in.

The result is a delicious mixture of mellow flavors and textures that will go great with any kind of kabob.

Why we love this recipe: it’ll make your plate Insta-worthy.

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Spicy Lebanese potatoes

Also known as batata harra, this is a Middle Eastern dish commonly seen in Lebanese restaurants. 

It involves golden, fluffy potato cubes tossed in a spicy cilantro garlic sauce and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice. 

These spuds’ crisp texture and zesty flavors pair superbly with smoky grilled kabobs. 

Why we love this recipe: it transforms a simple ingredient into something amazing.

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Quick pickled red onions

These pickled red onions are the perfect side dish when you want your kabobs to be the star of the meal. 

They’ll add a splash of color to the plate, and provide a fresh bite to cut through the heavy meat.

And the best part? There’s only 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time involved.

Why we love this recipe: it’s rated 4.98 stars from 189 votes.

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Pickled red onions
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Pearl couscous with vegetables and apricots

Looking for something light but satisifying?

This couscous dish has your back.

The pearl couscous will fill you up without weighing you down. And the added spinach, butternut squash, and dried apricots makes the side super nourishing.

It’s not lacking in flavor either thanks to spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and cloves. 

Why we love this recipe: it celebrates delicious Middle Eastern flavors.

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Herbed smashed cucumbers

You might be thinking – “can I get away without smashing the cucumbers?”

The answer is no! 

Smashing the cucumbers breaks them down and means they can soak in so much more of the creamy dressing.

The result is a cool and refreshing palate cleanser for your heavily spiced kabobs.

Why we love this recipe: it’s really fun to make.

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Mediterranean pasta salad

You can’t go wrong with this Mediterranean pasta salad at a cookout.

It’s simple but flavorful, thanks to all the fresh veggies, feta cheese, and the homemade Greek salad dressing.

Pro tip: make it a few hours ahead of time to give all the flavors a chance to meld and develop.

Why we love this recipe: it’s completely customizable.

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Pita bread

Homemade pita bread and dips is my go-to accompaniment for kabobs.

They’re super soft and puffy, and go with pretty much any dip you can think of.

I like the classic trio of hummus, tzatziki, and babaganoush.

Why we love this recipe: it explains two different methods of making the pita bread.

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Toum (garlic sauce)

This isn’t technically a side dish, but it’s a must-have with grilled kabobs.

The sauce is rich and creamy, with a prominent garlic flavor that holds up well next to boldly spiced kabobs.

The key to perfecting this sauce is to slowly emulsify the garlic and oil with lemon juice and cold water. This will give you a smooth, silky texture without adding any dairy. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s a healthier, dairy-free version of garlic mayo.

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Sweet and spicy grilled pineapple

Fruits get extra sweet and sticky on the grill.

But this recipe keeps things from getting too sweet by glazing the pineapple with a mixture of sesame oil, chili sauce, lime juice, and a dash of cinnamon.

This gives the pineapple spears a delectable sweet-but-spicy combo. 

Why we love this recipe: it works as a starter, side, or dessert!

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Israeli cucumber and tomato salad

Salads don’t always have to include leafy greens.

Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sharp onions are the base of this salad and then fresh herbs give it tonnes of flavor.

This version uses parsley, but mint and cilantro would also taste fabulous.

Why we love this recipe: it lets the produce’s natural flavors shine through.

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Brown butter parsnip puree

Skip your usual mashed potatoes and try serving your kabobs with this parsnip puree.

It’s velvety and buttery, with a hint of nuttiness thanks to the brown butter. 

This recipe also uses dijon mustard and lemon, which help offset the parsnips’ natural sweetness.

Pro-tip: to achieve a silky smooth mash, remove the woody stems or pass your mash through a sieve. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s a fantastic dish to highlight and underrated veg.

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Brown butter parsnip puree
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Grilled bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts

A grilled vegetable side I can’t get enough of are these bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts.

The sprouts get delightfully charred and absorb the bacon’s savory flavors as you grill them, making them super tasty. 

You’ll never want to eat plain old boiled sprouts again!

Why we love this recipe: it looks as good as it tastes.

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Red cabbage slaw

Slaw is a classic addition to any BBQ meal. But skip the store bought stuff, homemade slaw is SO much better.

It’s crunchy, creamy, and endlessly customizable.

I like adding in jalapeños for a spicy kick.

Why we love this recipe: there’s notes for how to make a mayo free version.

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The best side dishes to serve with kabobs

  • Fattoush salad
  • Jeweled Persian rice pilaf
  • Spicy Lebanese potatoes
  • Quick pickled red onions
  • Pearl couscous with vegetables and apricots
  • Herbed smashed cucumbers
  • Mediterranean pasta salad
  • Pita bread
  • Toum (garlic sauce)
  • Sweet and spicy grilled pineapple
  • Israeli cucumber and tomato salad
  • Brown butter parsnip puree
  • Grilled bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts
  • Red cabbage slaw

What To Serve With Kabobs

In this short recipe, I show you exactly what to serve with your kabobs.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek, Middle Eastern
Keyword: kabobs side dishes, what to serve with kabobs
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 151kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 portion kabobs

Instructions

  • Prepare your kabobs according to your favorite recipe.
  • In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
  • Side dishes include: fattoush salad, Jeweled Persian rice pilaf, spicy Lebanese potatoes, quick pickled red onions, pearl couscous with vegetables and apricots, herbed smashed cucumbers, Mediterranean pasta salad, pita bread, toum (garlic sauce), sweet and spicy grilled pineapple, Israeli cucumber and tomato salad, brown butter parsnip puree, grilled bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts, and red cabbage slaw.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 151kcal

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