The snow has melted, the frost has come and gone, and now is the time to fire up the grill! Cooking on the grill is a classic fair-weather pastime that is enjoyable and delicious. If you are looking for a new favorite recipe, try these easy grilled skewers. With a bit of prep work, you can have a flavorful dinner ready in under 20 minutes.

Use these recipes as a starting point and then explore different flavor combinations and ingredients. You can mix and match your choice of meat and vegetables and try different marinades and spices. 

These grilled skewers make for a perfect light meal or can be served with your favorite rice or potato dish to make it more hearty.

Our chicken, steak and vegetable skewers were served with a bed of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives and a drizzle of homemade lemon dressing, alongside grill-warmed pita bread and a simple yogurt cucumber dip.

Pair your grilled fare with spiked Arnold Palmers. Omit the vodka for a fun and refreshing alcohol-free beverage.

If you’d like to broaden your grilling experience, try a grilled dessert recipe like cinnamon apple foil packets. The warm, gooey apples served with a side of vanilla ice cream are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. ::

10 Surprisingly Easy Things to Cook on the Grill

1. Frozen pizza
2. Corn in the husk
3. Tofu skewers
4. Pineapple slices and peach halves
5. Skillet s’mores
6. Romaine lettuce hearts
7. Stuffed portobello mushrooms
8. Foil packet banana split
9. Flatbread pizza
10. Watermelon slices

Steak Skewers

makes 4 skewers

1½ lbs. top sirloin steak, 

cut into 1 – 1½ inch pieces

Marinade

½ cup olive oil

⅓ cup soy sauce

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1½ Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp. pepper

Mix marinade ingredients together and place mixture and steak in a gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours. If you are using wooden skewers, soak in warm water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Add the steak pieces to the skewers. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from the grill once the steak has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit or until desired doneness. Let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes under aluminum foil before serving.

Chicken Skewers

makes 6 skewers

2 lbs. chicken breasts, 

cut into 1- to 1½-inch pieces

Marinade

½ cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning

Mix marinade ingredients together and add them to the chicken in a gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours. If you are using wooden skewers, soak in warm water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Add the chicken pieces to the skewers. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Cook for about 12 to 14 minutes, turning occasionally. Time may vary depending on your grill and meat piece sizes. Remove from the grill once chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes under aluminum foil before serving.

Veggie Skewers

makes 10-12 skewers

2 large green bell peppers

1 large red bell pepper

1 large orange bell pepper

1 large yellow onion

1 large red onion

1 large zucchini

8 oz. package whole button mushrooms

3 Tbsp. vegetable or sunflower oil

Vegetable seasoning, to taste

Cut vegetables into 1 – 1½-inch sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss vegetables, oil and your favorite seasonings. If you are using wooden skewers, soak in warm water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Add the vegetables to the skewers. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning frequently until desired tenderness is reached. 

Grilled Cinnamon Apple Foil Packets

makes 4 servings

2 cups Granny Smith apples, sliced (peeled optional)

2 cups Honeycrisp apples, sliced (peeled optional)

¼ cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Dash nutmeg

1 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter

2 Tbsp. toasted walnut pieces (optional)

Combine sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl and set aside. Place four equal rectangular sheets (approximately 8 by 10 inches) of heavy aluminum foil onto your prep surface. Place equal amounts of the apples onto the center of each sheet of foil. Divide sugar mixture evenly among the four foil sheets and sprinkle on top of the apples. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and place an even amount around the apples. Fold the edges of the foil in on itself and seal packets firmly so no juice escapes during the cooking process. Grill over indirect medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until the apples are tender. Steam will build up on the inside of the packet, so open with caution. Optional, sprinkle toasted walnuts evenly among the apples. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. 

Garlic Lemon Dressing

½ cup sunflower oil or olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. grated parmesan

Juice of 1 lemon

Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar and close with the lid. Shake vigorously until combined. Drizzle over mixed greens.

Cucumber Yogurt Dip

¼ cup cucumber, finely diced

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. white vinegar

Salt/pepper

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together cucumber, yogurt, vinegar and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with your favorite vegetables or with pita bread.

Spiked Arnold Palmers

serves 6

3½ cups unsweetened black tea 

3½  cups lemonade

1½ cups vodka

Pour unsweetened tea, lemonade and vodka into a large pitcher and stir. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve chilled over ice.