Grilling Beef Kabobs to Perfection: How Long Does it Really Take?

As a backyard grill master nothing beats the taste of tender juicy beef kabobs hot off the grill. The beef gets wonderfully caramelized and smoky, while the veggies provide a nice crunch and burst of flavor. But to achieve kabob greatness, you need to know exactly how long to grill them. Undercook them and the beef will be tough and raw. Grill them too long and you’ll end up with a dried out, chewy mess.

So how long does it really take to make perfectly cooked beef kabobs on the grill? I’ve grilled hundreds of kabobs over the years and have nailed down the ideal times for foolproof results. In this article I’ll share my grilling timeline so your kabobs turn out tender and delicious every single time.

The Keys to Great Kabobs

Before jumping into the grill times, let’s quickly go over the keys for amazing kabobs:

• Use tender beef cuts: Flank steak, sirloin, or fillet work best. They stay tender when grilled.

• Partially freeze the beef This makes slicing easier and gives you nice uniform cubes.

• Marinate that meat: At least 2 hours, but overnight is best. This enhances juiciness.

• Par-cook hard veggies: Potatoes, carrots, etc. should be partly cooked first. This allows them to finish at the same time as the beef.

• Use metal or soaked wood skewers: Prevent burning and make flipping easier.

Okay, now let’s get grilling! Here’s exactly how long beef kabobs need on the grill.

Grill Times for Beef Kabobs

Cooking times depend on a few factors, including kabob thickness, beef doneness, grill temperature, and more. Here’s a general timeline:

For 1-inch cubes:

• 6-8 minutes for rare
• 8-10 minutes for medium-rare
• 10-12 minutes for medium
• 12-14 minutes for well-done

For 1.5-inch cubes:

• 8-10 minutes for rare
• 10-12 minutes for medium-rare
• 12-14 minutes for medium
• 14-16 minutes for well-done

These times are based on a hot grill around 450-500 ̊F. The thicker the cubes and higher the desired doneness, the longer the grill time.

Always use a meat thermometer to be sure. For medium-rare, aim for 135 ̊F internally. Let kabobs rest 5 minutes after grilling before eating.

Handy Grilling Timeline

To ensure perfect doneness from the first bite to the last kabob, follow this timeline:

• 0:00 – Light grill, preheat to high heat

• 5:00 – Grill veggies 2 minutes per side

• 8:00 – Place kabobs on grill

• 10:00 – Flip kabobs, grill 2 minutes more

• 14:00 – Flip again, grill 2 minutes more

• 18:00 – Final flip, grill 2-4 minutes until done

• 22:00 – Remove kabobs, let rest 5 minutes

• 27:00 – Enjoy your perfectly grilled beef kabobs!

This timeline ensures the veggies get a head start since they take longer. Then the beef cooks to juicy perfection in about 8-10 minutes total.

More Grilling Tips and Tricks

Here are some bonus tips to take your kabobs from great to extraordinary:

• Brush on a glaze of BBQ sauce or teriyaki when almost done for irresistible caramelized flavor.

• Switch up the beef – try chicken, shrimp, or halloumi cheese for variety.

• Get creative with bold marinades like Greek, chimichurri, or chipotle.

• Use 2 skewers per kabob for easy flipping. Just don’t crowd them.

• Preheat grill 10-15 minutes and clean grates for prime heat.

• Char some lemon halves or limes along with the kabobs for a bright finish.

• Opt for grilled pita, naan, or rice as an accompaniment to soak up the juices.

• Freeze any extras pre-skewered for easy grilling anytime. Thaw before cooking.

With the proper grilling times and techniques, you’ll be serving up restaurant-worthy kabobs bursting with smoky, succulent flavor in no time. Just beware – once your family and friends taste how amazing they are, you’ll be asked to fire up the grill for kabobs again and again!