Build Your Own Kabob Party (Check Lists & Recipes)

Is it Kabobs or Skewers? I don’t know. 

Whatever you call it, the impressive meals you can put on a stick are endless.

We like to entertain, but I don’t like to be stuck in the kitchen the whole time and not enjoying the company and conversations.

A Build Your Own Kabab Party lets you do almost everything before your company arrives, freeing you up to have fun too.

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Another great thing about having a Build Your Own Kabob Party is that you don’t have to worry about everyone’s food preferences. You will have something for everyone.

Kabobs can be gluten-free, low-carb and meatless.

Everyone has fun making the “perfect kabob” and can easily make more than one combination to enjoy or share.

I can even serve mushrooms and not have to eat even one.  Yuk.

Side dishes?  No worries there. You already have vegetables, appetizers and dessert done!

To get started you are going to need LISTS of course.

• Menu List
• Cooking Equipment List
• Grocery List- I’ll Get You Started
• Preparation List

Menu List

Let’s start with the menu list. The possibilities are endless of course, but here is a list to get you started. 

Menu List for Build Your Own Kabobs

Cooking Equipment List

Some things to think about here are:

• How will you keep flies off the food? There is absolutely nothing that will ruin and outside dinner party faster than buys. Investing in Food Covers Nets
• How will you keep the food cold?
• Are you using sturdy paper plates or your own dishes?
•  I use Solo Plates so I don’t have to worry about

Step 1:  2-Weeks Before the Party

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see if you have all the needed equipment.

Even though this dinner party is impressive and comes together great in the end. It requires a lot of organization and attention to details from you.

I have actually thrown this shindig a couple of times, so you’ll be good if you follow along.

You Will  Need:

• A Grill!  If your party is around Father’s Day, maybe a new one?
• Skewers: Bamboo or Metal.
• Pyrex Bowls or clear bowls with covers
• Tongs
• Oven Mitts
• Silverware( not cheap plastic)
• Zip-loc bags
• Clean cutting boards
• Inflatable serving bar. WHAT? Look at this inflatable food table o keep food cold for a party!

• The pyrex will be to hold all the meats & vegetables.
• Have a tong for each bowl. Tongs work well for adding foods to skewers.

• Cut the meats on different cutting boards than the vegetables.
• Have a container of Clorox wipes to wipe hands if needed.

Grocery List

Of course, the grocery list depends on what Kabobs you plan on serving.

However, your biggest challenge will be how MUCH to buy of each thing. I am the first to admit, I always cook a lot.

I love leftovers. The thought of not having enough food terrify me, so I will never run short.

Here is what I do if I were going to plan for 6 adults and a few kids:

• Steak- 3 lbs.
• Shrimp 2 lbs.
• Chicken 4 lbs.
• Peppers & Onions  – 3 large each
• Potatoes- 5lbs of little Yukon Golds
• Mushrooms – 1 lb.

When you decide on which appetizers and desserts you are going to serve, the recipes have all the ingredients there for you.

Don’t forget beverages! Have plenty of water and sodas along with any beer, wine or alcohol you plan on serving.

Buy several bags of ice. You are going to need ice for the coolers holding the beverages , and the Inflatable Food Table

Preparation List – Party Day

Step 2: Early Afternoon

1. If using bamboo skewers place them in water for at least 30 minutes.
2. Assemble 2 appetizer kabobs & 2 dessert Kabobs. ( you can assemble them later, but be ready). Keep in the refrigerator. Recipes for all appetizers and desserts below.

Appetizer Kabobs

Caprese Kabobs 

Skewer fresh Mozzarella Pearls with a fresh leaf of basil and a cherry tomato. Arrange skewers on platter and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar

Antipasto Kabobs.

These delicious skewers are kind of like a Charcuterie Board on a stick!!  

You can really add and subtract ingredients you like. This is an appetizer that really has the “love or hate” foods. Notice, mine does not include mushrooms.

• 2 c. marinated artichoke hearts
• 10 oz cheese tortellini cooked and chilled. Mix with 1/2 cup Italian dressing
• Marinated mozzarella pearls
• Grape tomatoes
• Basil or spinach leaves
• Green olives
• Kalamata olives

Dessert Kabobs

Fruit Skewers:   

Thread your favorite sliced fruits. Some good choices include strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, bananas, pineapple, blueberries, pineapple or grapes.

Strawberry Shortcake with a Twist of Chocolate:

Alternate Angel Food cake cut into chunks with fresh strawberries on a short skewer. Drizzle with melted chocolate. EASY!

Feel free. To throw a slice of brownie into the mix.

Step 3: Mid Afternoon

1. Prepare Marinades and refrigerate
2. Cut meats into 1-inch pieces
3. Cook baby sized potatoes until tender
4. Cut peppers, onions, zucchini in 1-inch chunks

Put meats and vegetables all in their own ziplock bags. Add marinade to meats for at least 1 hour before the party.

Step 4: Time for the Kabobs Party 

• Transfer foods from baggies to pyrex bowls
• Serve your cold meat and shrimp in this inflatable serving table! 
• When guests arrive, bring out appetizer kabobs and snacks.
• Keep food covered until kabob assembly begins.
• Have fun!

You Have Another Option

I wasn’t going to bring this up, but I have another way of serving the kabobs.  If it just seems like TOO MUCH work and stress.

You make all the kabobs ahead of time- I know, but stick with me here. Meats and vegetables can be tricky to cook together, so you can

• Make about 4 skewers each of steak, shrimp, and chicken.
• Put the other vegetables on the skewers together.
• Grill the vegetables about 15 minutes, including the precooked potatoes.
• Grill the chicken first, put on the steak and cook shrimp last.
• Now for serving, you can just push all the cooked food off the skewers on to platters or cookie sheets and let everyone help themselves

Ready for more entertaining? Try:

6 Great Macaroni and Cheese Recipes for a Mac and Cheese Bar

Six Detailed Steps to Plan a Wine Tasting Party

Best Lists for Planning a Family Event-with Menus