This year, we’re breaking out of the routine and rediscovering the grill and, more specifically, the art of meatless skewers.
When it comes to grilling, there’s a place for everyone. Gone are the days when only sausages and cuts of meat were the queens of grilling. Now, barbecues are adopting new codes and also inviting grilled vegetable skewers and seafood onto the grill.
How to make meatless skewers?
The vegetarian skewer
With the arrival of the beautiful days, there is no shortage of possibilities for vegetable skewers! Between zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and certain fruits, like watermelon and pineapple, which stand up wonderfully to being grilled over a flame, you will enjoy yourself.
To assemble on the skewers, take care to cut the largest fruits and vegetables into cubes or thick slices. The peppers, for their part, should be cut into wide strips or halves depending on the size of the skewers. And if you want to include tomatoes, choose cherry tomatoes, which you will slide in whole.
Alternatively, tofu and tempeh can also be cooked on the barbecue. If you’ve never tried them, this is the chance to try them.
Read: Ideas for a vegetarian barbecue
The skewer of the sea
During the summer season, the desire for seafood flavors is generally felt. Rather than opting for steamed or oven-roasted fish, we opt for grilling. Diced salmon or tuna, whole prawns, squid… There is still a wide choice of recipes available to you.
The only difficulty to take into account is that some seafood requires particularly delicate cooking. Octopus, for example, requires a long pre-cooking in water before it can be grilled, while scallops are fragile and cook very quickly. Do not leave them for more than 2 minutes on each side on the barbecue grill, and 1 minute on the griddle.
The cheese skewer
We rarely think about it, but cheese also has its place on the grill. Especially if we know how to choose it. In fact, not all varieties are suitable for the format of skewers. Take camembert, excellent roasted whole on the flame. But try to slip it in pieces on skewers and it’s a disaster guaranteed. With the heat, the center will leak and flood the grill. So, for the sake of your appliances, we recommend grilling cheeses, such as halloumi and feta.
The art of enhancing your skewers: in marinades and sauces
Marinades transcend chicken breasts, but not only. Based on soy sauce, lemon or coconut milk, let your inspiration of the moment take over. Unless you prefer dry marinades, which will form a delicious crust of caramelized spices when cooked.
Finally, for the service, we do not hesitate to offer homemade sauces. Mayonnaise, sesame or yogurt dip, and peanut sauce will certainly brighten up the meal.
Let’s get inspired, we offer you 19 ideas for meatless skewers that are different.
Spicy pineapple barbecue with rum chantilly
© Jan Hendrik Van Der Westhuizen
Desserts are also made on the grill. This one is top-notch, to impress your guests!
Discover the recipe for spicy pineapple on the barbecue
Scallop skewers with parsley, yogurt sauce
© Gerry from the Foodnessgracious blog
Before grilling the scallops, pat them dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. This will help them sear better under the flame.
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Apricot skewers with nougat and rosemary
© Pierre Baëlen
Summer skewers, to cook on the barbecue.
Discover the recipe for apricot skewers
Garlic Shrimp Skewers
© Lisa from the Downshiftology blog
2 to 3 minutes of cooking on each side is enough for the shrimp.
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Grilled asparagus skewers with sesame and parmesan
© Valéry Guedes with Sophie Dupuis-Gaulier
Remember to peel the asparagus before placing them on the skewers.
Discover the recipe for Grilled asparagus skewers with sesame and parmesan
Grilled Corn and Chili Butter
© Pierre Baëlen
Do you prefer spicier recipes? Use chili spices instead of Espelette pepper. Conversely, if you can’t stand chili peppers but want the recipe to remain tasty, choose smoked paprika.
Discover the recipe for Grilled Corn and Chili Butter
Tempeh, orange pepper and red onion skewers with peanut sauce
© Maddie from the Maddie Augustin blog
When the tempeh is golden on all sides, and the pepper is tender, it’s ready!
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Grilled Potato Skewers with Garlic and Herbs
© Jennifer from the Seasons and suppers blog
Microwaving the potatoes for 45 seconds before grilling them will give you a better texture.
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Zucchini and Halloumi Skewers with Lemon
© Cindy from the blog Salt and serenity
Cut zucchini strips 2 mm thick to fold them easily.
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Skewers of vegetables marinated in soy sauce and honey
© Samantha from the blog Wholesome patisserie
Do not choose overripe vegetables for your vegetable skewers. They may disintegrate during cooking.
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Marinated mushroom skewers
© Bianca from the Bianca Zapatka blog
This recipe is possible with all kinds of mushrooms. Try different varieties to find your favorite.
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Vegan kefta skewers with tahini sauce
© Brittany A healthy slice of life
Koftas are traditionally prepared with lamb or beef, but in the vegetarian version, this is replaced by a mixture of lentils and black beans.
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Vegetarian curry skewers
© Lovely Jubley
A yogurt sauce will pair wonderfully with these Indian-inspired skewers.
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Eggplant skewers with sesame satay sauce
© Nicole from the blog Delicious everyday
Sesame and eggplant always work well together.
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Tofu, vegetable and sweet potato skewers
© Pick up limes
Marinate the tofu the day before, to give it time to absorb the flavors.
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Salmon skewers with paprika and zucchini
© Jo from the Modern food stories blog
For fish cubes, allow about 2 minutes cooking time on each side, or about 12 minutes in total.
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Watermelon and halloumi skewers
© Jessica from the blog How sweet eats
Dare to go sweet and salty with the combination of fruit and cheese.
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Spicy fish skewers
© Emily from Jelly toast blog
Alternate your different elements when you compose the skewers. The result will be more visually pleasing, and the flavors and textures, better distributed.
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Vegetable Skewers
© Jessica from the blog The forked spoon
Try to cut the vegetables into uniformly sized pieces. This will make cooking easier.
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