Wondering what to serve with kebabs for dinner? This handy guide covers all of the best sides for these grilled skewers – from veggies, to salads, and more!
Kebabs are a grilling season staple, their versatility and smoky goodness making them a crowd-pleaser. But the true heroes of a kebab dinner often lurk beneath the sizzling skewers – the sides!
From refreshing salads to creamy dips and hearty grains, the right accompaniments can elevate your kebab experience from good to unforgettable.
So, fire up the grill and get ready to skewer some serious flavor. Here are 35+ side dishes that will have your guests reaching for seconds (and maybe thirds)…
PS – Be sure to check out these 23+ Dipping Sauces for Kebabs too!
The BEST Sides for Kebabs
Salads
Shirazi Salad
This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!
Shirazi Salad
Simple Arugula Salad Dressing
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.
Tabbouleh Salad
Crispy Rice Salad
This easy Crispy Rice Salad is the best way to turn day-old rice into an exciting meal! Fresh vegetables, crispy baked rice, and nuts are tossed in a punchy tahini dressing to leave you with a refreshing and satisfying lunch, dinner, or side dish.
Crispy Rice Salad
Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad
This Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad tosses cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a delicious, Mediterranean-inspired vinaigrette dressing. Topped with creamy feta and Kalamata olives, it’s the perfect healthy summer side dish or light meal.
Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta
Snap Pea Salad
This Snap Pea Salad is the best warm-weather side dish. Crunchy and sweet snap peas, fresh basil, and almonds are tossed in a tangy lemon and Dijon dressing, giving you a simple meal that’s incredibly refreshing and flavorful!
Snap Pea Salad
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.
Cherry Tomato Salad
Zucchini Pasta Salad
This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.
Zucchini Pasta Salad
Fattoush Salad
This Lebanese-inspired fattoush salad tosses vibrant vegetables and homemade pita chips in a tangy-sweet dressing. Enjoy it as an ultra-refreshing side dish with your favorite Middle Eastern or Mediterranean meals!
Fattoush Salad
Italian Radicchio Salad
This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!
Radicchio Salad
Shaved Fennel Salad
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.
Shaved Fennel Salad
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Thai Quinoa Salad
This Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad tosses quinoa, kale, edamame, and a medley of fresh vegetables in the best homemade peanut dressing. It’s a light yet satisfying dish you can make for meal prep or a nourishing dinner.
Thai Quinoa Salad
Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad
Make this copycat Costco Quinoa Salad at home for a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad studded with fresh veggies and fresh lemon dressing.
Quinoa Salad
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Jennifer Aniston Salad
One bite of the viral Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad and you’ll be hooked! It was the actress’ top choice for lunch during her time on Friends for good reason – it’s easy to make, loaded with healthy grains and veggies, and perfect for meal prep.
Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
Cauliflower Potato Salad
This Cauliflower Potato Salad is just like potato salad, but without the potatoes! Steamed cauliflower and crisp veggies are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, leaving you with a low-carb and keto-friendly side dish for cookouts, potlucks, or any quick dinner.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Grains and Starches
Greek Lemon Rice
This 30-minute Greek Lemon Rice is a simple side dish bursting with bright lemon flavors and garlicky goodness! You’ll love it next to your favorite grilled meats and Mediterranean mains.
Greek Lemon Rice
How to Cook Israeli Couscous
Learn how to cook perfect Israeli couscous, AKA pearl couscous, every time with this thorough guide. It’s a quick and convenient side dish you can dress up or down and pair with endless main dishes.
Israeli Couscous
Grilled Potato Salad
Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious!
Grilled Potato Salad
Pesto Couscous
This Pesto Couscous Recipe combines fluffy and chewy Israeli couscous with basil pesto to give you an easy yet sophisticated side dish or light main course. You’ll love its addictive Italian flavors!
Pesto Couscous
Coconut Lime Rice
This Coconut Lime Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and easy to make. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curries, stir fry, stew, and more. Rice cooker, Instant Pot, and stovetop directions included.
Coconut Lime Rice
Pearl Couscous with Tomatoes
Tomato Couscous is an amazing side dish full of flavor. Toasted pearl couscous is tossed with a burst tomato sauce and finished with a squeeze of lime for a delightful tang. Yum!
Tomato Couscous
Air Fryer Pita Chips
These Air Fryer Pita Chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried pita chips but don’t skimp on flavor or crunch! Easy to make with customizable flavors, they’re the perfect party snack to pair with your favorite dips and spreads.
Air Fryer Pita Chips
Greek Roasted Potatoes
These Greek Roasted Potatoes are generously seasoned with oregano, lemon juice, and garlic, then roasted until they’re pillowy soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Make them for a mostly hands-off and addictively delicious side dish!
Greek Roasted Potatoes
The BEST Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Vegetables
Minted Peas
Looking for a fresh, flavorful, and oh-so-simple side dish? Try Minted Peas! Sweet green peas are upgraded with butter, savory aromatics, fresh mint, and zesty lemon to give you a vibrant dish that pairs beautifully with any meal.
Minted Peas
Grilled Bell Peppers
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
Grilled Bell Peppers
Traeger Grilled Asparagus
Learn how to smoke asparagus on a Traeger or pellet grill/smoker! This Traeger Asparagus recipe is foolproof and yields tender-crisp, delightfully smoky asparagus every time.
Traeger Asparagus
Briam (Greek Roasted Vegetables)
Learn how to make Briam, a traditional Greek roasted vegetable dish made with seasoned tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini. Perfect as a meatless main or a hearty side with your favorite Mediterranean-inspired meals!
Briam
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Grilled Broccolini with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect side dish for autumnal menus or Thanksgiving.
Recipe
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
Sauces & Dips
Tzatziki Sauce
Learning how to make Tzatziki Sauce at home is easy and takes less than 10 minutes! Using grated cucumbers, Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs, you get the creamiest and most refreshing sauce that goes well with not only gyros, but also all kinds of meats and vegetables.
Tzatziki Sauce
Grilled Eggplant Baba Ganoush Recipe
This Baba Ganoush recipe with grilled eggplant is amazingly smooth and creamy with a delicious smoky flavor. Serve it alongside some fresh pita bread and vegetables for a delicious Mediterranean spread.
Baba Ganoush
Easy Cucumber Raita
This Raita Recipe is a popular Indian dip that’s creamy, crunchy and a perfect pair for warming and spicy foods.
Raita Sauce
Whipped Feta Dip
Whipped Feta Dip is seriously addicting! Whipped together with oil, greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and cream, feta cheese transforms into a light and airy Mediterranean dip. Serve it at parties, celebrations, or enjoy it all for yourself!
Whipped Feta Dip
Romesco Sauce + How to Use It!
Romesco Sauce is packed with flavor and easy to make with simple ingredients & your blender or food processor. This roasted red pepper based Spanish sauce is delicious with chicken, pork, seafood and roasted vegetables.
Romesco Sauce
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these kebab side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Kebab + Skewer Recipes to Try
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Kebab Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with kebabs. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Full Recipe
What to Serve with Kebabs: 35+ BEST Sides
Wondering what to serve with kebabs for dinner? This handy guide covers all of the best sides for these grilled skewers – from veggies, to salads, and more! Try this Tzatziki Sauce. It's easy and takes less than 10 minutes!
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Serves 6 people
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber (about 10-ounces)
- 1 ½ cups full fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh mint (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic (grated or minced)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Scoop seeds out of the cucumber with a small spoon. Place cucumber in a mini food processor or grate with a box cheese grater. Drain the liquid from the cucumber in a metal strainer and sprinkle with a little salt (this helps release the liquid). You may want to use the back of a spoon to help squeeze out any excess liquid.
- Place the drained cucumber in a large bowl. Add the yogurt, olive oil, herbs, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to the bowl, and stir to blend. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and add additional chopped fresh herbs, lemon juice, and/or salt, as necessary.
Notes
The leftover tzatziki will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days when it’s stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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