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What Are the Best Tips for a Beef Kabob Marinade?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

When people are cooking kabobs, marinating them first can be a good idea. Generally, the longer a beef kabob is allowed to marinate, the more flavors the finished product will have. This should be done in a refrigerator in order to keep the meat from spoiling. The beef can be marinated along with the vegetables; both can be marinated on or off the skewer. A beef kabob marinade that contains vinegar will also help to tenderize the meat, but will not usually make it taste acidic.

There are many different types of beef kabob marinade, and the one a cook chooses can depend on her own personal taste. Some of the main ingredients could include soy sauce, white wine vinegar, or ketchup. A little bit of brown sugar or corn syrup could be added to give the beef kabob a sweet flavor, or hot sauce could be added for a spicy taste. People can buy a marinade for their shish kabob or make one from scratch if they are unable to find one they like in the store.

Beef kabobs being cooked on a charcoal grill should be basted with a little marinade as they cook.
Beef kabobs being cooked on a charcoal grill should be basted with a little marinade as they cook.

Beef and vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, and peppers can all be marinated; however, some people like to marinade only the meat. The ingredients of a shish kabob can all be placed on a skewer or in a large bowl if they are being marinated together. This should be big enough for the beef kabob marinade to completely cover both the meat and vegetables, and then covered and placed in the refrigerator.

Beef kabob cubes should be cut into even sizes to ensure even cooking.
Beef kabob cubes should be cut into even sizes to ensure even cooking.

Generally speaking, a beef kabob will taste best when it is marinated overnight. If this is not possible, the shish kabob should be marinated for at least four hours in order to allow the meat to absorb the flavor of the sauce. Inexpensive cuts of meat may sometimes be tough, but this can often be eliminated by marinating for a long period, especially if the marinade contains some type of vinegar. When grilling kabobs, it can be a good idea to baste them with a little bit of marinade while they are cooking, especially if using a charcoal grill.

Beef kabobs are best when marinated overnight.
Beef kabobs are best when marinated overnight.

Cooking with a beef kabob marinade can be fun and easy to do. This sauce could also be used on a veggie kabob or one made with other meats such as chicken. There are many different types of marinade, so finding the right one can be easy to do whether this sauce is made from scratch or purchased at a grocery store.

Discussion Comments

whitesand

I use a store bought marinade for my steak kabobs. It works in only thirty minutes and tastes great on the vegetables too, especially onions. I've found that leaving most marinades on overnight makes the meat too salty.

MsClean

@Sierra02 - I've tried the cola beef marinade before. It does wonders at tenderizing the meat usually in less than four hours. I think it has something to do with the carbonation in the soda. The ingredients are simple and you can add more or less seasonings to suit your taste.

Mix together one twelve ounce can of cola with a half cup of orange juice. Then add onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, cracked black pepper and one bay leaf. Stir until well blended and then pour over the steaks. Let it sit for at least four hours or overnight at best.

Sierra02

Has anyone ever heard of using a twelve ounce can of cola as a beef kabob marinade? I've been tempted to try it at times but I always talk myself out of it for fear that I'll ruin a good piece of steak.

If you've done this before and have been successful with it, please share your recipe and maybe I'll try it out on a cheaper cut of meat. Thanks in advance.

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    • Beef kabobs being cooked on a charcoal grill should be basted with a little marinade as they cook.
      By: senk
      Beef kabobs being cooked on a charcoal grill should be basted with a little marinade as they cook.
    • Beef kabob cubes should be cut into even sizes to ensure even cooking.
      By: margo555
      Beef kabob cubes should be cut into even sizes to ensure even cooking.
    • Beef kabobs are best when marinated overnight.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      Beef kabobs are best when marinated overnight.
    • A flavorful beef marinade can also be used to baste grilled chicken.
      By: marrakeshh
      A flavorful beef marinade can also be used to baste grilled chicken.
    • Kabob marinade may feature vinegar.
      By: hsagencia
      Kabob marinade may feature vinegar.