36 Killer Keto Kebabs Recipes
Whether you call it kebabs, skewers, or satay, food on a stick is probably the oldest form of cooking around. They’re also among the easiest recipes: all you need is fire and a stick! Although most folks think of kebabs as meat-heavy dishes, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a little-grilled seafood or even some delicious veggies using the same method.
And thankfully, most kebab recipes are naturally Keto-friendly! We’ve put together some of our favorites on this list, from simple grilled shrimp to party-friendly antipasto kebabs.
The term kebab is believed to be loosely based on the Arabic word for roasted meat, but there’s no reason you can’t use a whole range of veggies or seafood as part of any kebab dish. Make sure to take a look at some of the delicious sauces that go with these Keto-friendly recipes: from creamy cucumber yogurt sauces to spicy chimichurri dips, they’re the perfect accompaniment for any grilled meat, seafood, or veggie!
Here are just a few of the Keto Kebabs Recipes we’ve included:
- Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Sauce
- Chili-Lime Grilled Prawns With Avocado-Feta Salsa (Contains Dairy)
- Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp
- Seekh Kebab
- Lamb Kebabs With Coconut Curry Dipping Sauce
- Persian Kefta Lamb Kebabs
- Chorizo Meatballs
- Grilled Lamb Kabobs With Tahini Sauce
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
Chicken Keto Kebabs
Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Sauce
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: chicken breast, onion, bell peppers, zucchini, garlic, salt, lemon juice, olive oil.
The garlic sauce in this keto recipe can also be used as a dip for veggie sticks and tastes amazing! If you want more color on these skewers then use red and yellow peppers, or for a slight difference, roll up strips of bacon instead of some of the chicken. It might be a good idea to use metal skewers for chicken as they help to make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly.
Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Sauce
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: boneless chicken, granulated erythritol sweetener, 5-spice powder, rice wine vinegar, avocado oil, sesame oil, gluten free soy sauce/fish sauce/coconut aminos, cayenne pepper (optional), red bell pepper, lime and cilantro (optional, for garnish), 12 skewers.
Try these tasty Asian-inspired chicken skewers and you’ll soon have a new family favorite. Not a fan of peppers? Sub in whatever veggies you like – zucchini and mushrooms would both pair well with these flavors.
BBQ Chicken Livers and Hearts
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: chicken hearts and livers, sea salt, black pepper.
We all know that offal should be included in our ketogenic diet as it is rich in nutrients, but some of it just has too much of a ‘metal’ taste. That’s why using chicken livers and hearts makes a great introduction – the flavors are much more subtle and are a great way to encourage the whole family to try them. The only drawback is that the livers can easily stick to the grill and fall apart, so one suggestion would be to place them on a foil tray on the grill.
Crazy-Good Kebabs
– Eat Heal Thrive
Ingredients: boneless meat (a combination of chicken breasts and thighs), fresh mint leaves, fresh rosemary, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt.
This classic combination of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs comes together to create a crazy-good dish! You’ll have to plan ahead a bit to marinade the meat before grilling, but it’s worth the effort. Pair these kebabs with a side of cauli-rice or a salad, and you’ve got the perfect meal for the next barbecue.
Low Carb Chicken Fajitas on Skewers
– Low Carb Yum
Photo Credit: Lisa from Low Carb Yum
Ingredients: chicken thigh fillets, chili powder, cayenne powder, ground cumin seed, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, Sukrin Gold or SweetLeaf stevia, garlic, red and green bell pepper, jalapeño or green chili, celery leaves, water, salt, pepper.
If you are planning a barbecue for the family, these amazing fajita skewers would be a great idea as they can be prepared the day before and left to marinate overnight, then all you have to do is thread the meat and veg on and cook them on the day. These low-carb skewers are cheap to make because you are using thigh meat, and if you don’t like things too spicy you can cut back on the chili.
Pinchos de Pollo
– Ditch The Wheat
Photo Credit: Carol from Ditch The Wheat
Ingredients: garlic, Himalayan salt, ground black pepper, fresh or dried oregano, extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, chicken breast.
This keto-friendly recipe comes originally from Puerto Rico and you will often find these tasty skewers being sold as street food. This is another example where thigh meat wins over breast meat, as it has a stronger flavor and holds together well on the skewers. The flavor of the chicken is spiced, and tangy because of the lime juice and tastes so good eaten straight away, but could also be allowed to cool and serve with a salad.
Lemon Thyme Chicken on Rosemary Skewers
– Wicked Stuffed
Photo Credit: Amanda from Wicked Stuffed
Ingredients: rosemary skewers, chicken tenderloins, fresh thyme, garlic salt, lemon pepper seasoning, rosemary olive oil or regular.
This is quite a simple recipe, but using the rosemary stems as skewers is such a good idea as the flavor infuses into the meat. The skewers are baked in the oven which means the rosemary stems don’t burn like they would on the grill. There is a great combination of flavors from the lemon and thyme that makes this keto skewers a tasty meal for lunch or a really good appetizer.
Lemon Herb Chicken Kabob
– Healy Eats Real
Photo Credit: Hannah from Healy Eats Real
Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dried oregano, dried rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, cayenne, chicken breasts, bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes.
Chicken and citrus go really well together and this dish is no exception. The garlic, lemon, and oregano give the meat a real Mediterranean flavor. This low-carb dish would be ideal for a summer barbecue and the recipe is versatile – change the veggies for your favorites, or use pork or shrimp instead of the chicken. Just remember to soak wooden skewers before loading them or they can burn.
Achari Chicken Kebab
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: chicken thighs, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, kalonji (onion seed), black peppercorns, cardamom pods, coriander powder, sea salt, Kashmiri chili powder, paprika, garlic, ginger, turmeric powder, mustard oil, coconut cream.
Kebabs can be a great idea for a barbecue as they are easy to make and the flavor can be so good if you marinate the meat first. These ones have the classic taste of fenugreek and cardamom which are both common spices in Indian cuisine. This is another low-carb lunch idea that tastes just as good hot or cold, so these can be packed in a lunchbox for work, served with a side salad.
Beef Keto Kebabs
Thai Beef Satay With Spicy Sunflower Seed Sauce
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: beef steak, coconut milk, fish sauce, curry powder, ground turmeric, ground ginger, Thai red curry paste, chili oil, ground cayenne, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, coconut cream, sunflower seed butter.
Although we associate satay with a smooth peanut sauce which is not keto-friendly, satay actually means skewers of meat served with a sauce, so the choice of flavors is up to you! The sauce in this recipe actually looks like the peanut-based one, but it is a great nut-free alternative if there are allergies in the family. These satays would be great to serve for lunch with a range of sides, slaw or salads.
Keto Teriyaki Beef on a Stick
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: lean beef, sesame oil, avocado oil, gluten-free tamari sauce, rice wine vinegar, erythritol granulated sweetener.
Traditional teriyaki dishes use sugar to give the sticky sweetness to the meat, so it is great to find a keto alternative that still gives the flavor you expect! The beef in this recipe is quite thin and will cook quite quickly, so don’t be tempted to load the skewers with chunks of vegetable as they won’t be ready in time. Allowing the meat to come to room temperature before cooking will ensure it cooks evenly.
Peruvian Anticuchos – Marinated Beef Heart Kebabs
– The Curious Coconut
Photo Credit: The Curious Coconut
Ingredients: lime juice, aji panca paste, garlic, unrefined salt, black pepper, cumin powder, beef heart.
Organ meats are a wonderful source of B vitamins and other elements such as magnesium and copper which is why it is important on the keto journey to include them in your diet. So this kebab recipe can be very helpful, especially if the family are skeptics! The marinade takes away any metallic taste from the heart and turns it into a deliciously spiced meat that can be stir-fried or grilled.
BBQ Meatball Skewers
– Keto Diet Blog
Ingredients: ground beef, red onion, garlic, egg, paprika, fresh or dried oregano, fresh or dried basil, lemon zest, salt, Spanish chorizo.
These low-carb meatball skewers would be perfect for a ketogenic family barbecue lunch! You have a great blend of flavor from the seasoned beef and the chorizo, and these would taste great served with a tomato-less sauce or with a fresh salsa on the side. Not grilling weather? These skewers can be cooked in the oven instead, so no need to miss out on the great taste!
Reuben Salad Kabobs (Contains Dairy)
– Maria Mind Body Health
Ingredients: butter lettuce, roast beef or corned beef, cherry tomatoes, dill pickles, Swiss cheese, mayo, tomato sauce, swerve confectioners.
This recipe is a simple idea but is absolutely amazing to eat! The kabobs are threaded with salad ingredients and served with a keto sugar-free Thousand Island dip and any parents with picky eaters will find that kids are much more likely to eat veg if it is served raw this way! I absolutely love Thousand Island and this version is so good I will not be buying store-bought ever again!
Beef Satay
– Low Carb Maven
Ingredients: flank steak or skirt steak, Red Boat fish sauce, tamari sauce or coconut aminos, Sukrin Gold powdered, ground coriander, almond butter, coconut milk, chili garlic sauce, Thai red curry paste, olive oil.
As peanuts are not really advised on the ketogenic diet, this recipe should be used only as a treat now and then. However, when you try it you will find it has the true taste of original satay sauce. The seasoned beef is tender and delicious and this dish would be perfect served with a fresh cucumber-based salad. The whole dish can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a quick lunch.
Beef Kebabs with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce (Contains Dairy)
– Keto Vale
Ingredients: ground beef, coconut flour, eggs, garlic, pine nuts, fresh mint, olive oil, salt, black pepper, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cucumber.
Sometimes you will find that kids can be put off by chunks of beef, and they would rather eat it in this way, formed onto skewers. This is a low-carb Greek-inspired meal with all the flavors of garlic, mint and pine nuts giving you a really tasty dish. The cooling yogurt sauce goes well with these kebabs and would also be great to serve with spicy dishes as it can counter the heat well.
Keto Beef Kebabs
– LIHF Living
Ingredients: “high fat” minced beef, Himalayan salt, green/ black pepper, garlic, fresh thyme, fresh basil.
Living the keto way means cutting out food that causes inflammation to your body, so these delicious beef kebabs would be the best meal to fill you up without causing any issues. Most stores now sell a range of ground beef with different fat levels, so these taste best if you use a higher fat content as it helps to keep the meat moist and juicy and increases the flavor.
Paleo Steak Kebabs
– Once A Month Meals
Ingredients: beef round steak, olive oil, garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, onion, whole mushrooms, yellow bell pepper.
Kebabs can be a lovely dish to serve to friends as the range of colors and flavors can be quite impressive, so next time you have people over, why not fire up the grill and serve these delicious paleo steak kebabs! The colors come from the different veggies, but if you want to cut down the carbs and make this keto-friendlier, you could use just one type of vegetable.
Fish & Seafood Keto Kebabs
Swordfish Skewers with Cilantro-Mint Pesto
– My Recipes
Ingredients: grated lime rind, grated orange rind, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice, sugar, garlic, swordfish, cherry tomatoes, salt, pepper, fresh cilantro leaves, fresh mint leaves, green onions, olive oil,
Swordfish is a perfect fish to use on kebabs as it is meaty and holds its shape really well. It does have a strong flavor, so you don’t really need much seasoning to set it off – simple salt and pepper will be ideal.
Shiso Shrimpy and Grilled!
– Cavegirl Cuisine
Photo Credit: Michelle from Cavegirl Cuisine
Ingredients: Shiso leaves or mint leaves, parsley, pistachios, sea salt, garlic, coconut aminos, sesame oil, lime juice, olive oil, shrimp.
When we have a barbecue I find that shrimp skewers are the best to start with as they cook really quickly and will give you time to cook the rest without being hurried by hungry folks! In this low-carb shrimp recipe, you use shiso leaves and they are part of the mint family, so if you can’t source them anywhere you can use regular mint leaves instead.
Shrimp can be a great way to get the minerals you need on Keto. Naturopathic physician and Sports Nutritionist Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND, CISSN, says, “If you’re starting up (or already following) a keto diet, it’s important to make sure you keep your electrolytes in balance; boost sodium levels by adding Sea salt to meals and a bone broth drink, and keep potassium and magnesium levels up via nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, fish and shellfish.”
Chili-Lime Grilled Prawns With Avocado-Feta Salsa (Contains Dairy)
– Peace, Love and Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: prawns, garlic, coconut aminos, olive oil, chili powder, lime juice, lime zest, avocado, Roma tomato, artichoke hearts, capers, feta cheese, red onion, sea salt, pepper.
This delicious recipe has the flavors of Asian cuisine from the lime and chili and the soy sauce, so this would be a lovely appetizer for an Asian-inspired dinner, or served on their own as finger food for a party. The avocado and feta salsa has a fantastic combination of flavors and colors and makes this a summery dish that the whole family will love!
Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: uncooked shrimp, olive oil, Italian parsley leaves, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, garlic, sea salt, ground pepper.
Chimichurri sauce originates from South America and the outstanding flavors come from parsley and garlic. It is ideal for low-carb dishes and can add a lovely fresh flavor to shrimp or chicken. It is great as a marinade but can also be served as a dipping sauce. Because shrimp cook in just a few minutes, this would make a great main for a busy day served with a salsa or salad.
Easy Shrimp Skewers with Chard Cilantro Pesto
– PaleOMG
Ingredients: shrimp, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, chard leaves, cilantro, tomatillos, jalapeño, pine nuts, olive oil, pepper.
Here is another paleo and keto recipe that is simple but packed with flavor and would be a great dish to make either for lunch after a busy day or as a family lunch. The recipe lets you use as much chili and garlic as you like to flavor the shrimp, so if you like things spicy you can up the amount of chili. The pesto is a heartier version with tomatillo and jalapeño adding a touch of Mexican flavor.
Mexican Shrimp Kabobs
– Maria Mind Body Health
Ingredients: shrimp, Maria’s Keto Kitchen Taco Seasoning, avocado oil, pico de gallo or salsa, guacamole, zucchini noodles.
Although shrimp have a flavor that is not too strong, they can take on some serious seasoning! In this ketogenic recipe, the shrimp are seasoned with taco spices and served with salsa, guacamole, and noodles, making this a great light dinner for a hot summer day. If you are cooking these on the grill, it is better to oil the grill first, which helps to avoid the shrimp from sticking and gets them cooking really quickly.
Baked Tandoori Salmon Skewers (Contains Dairy)
– Clean Eating
Ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, tandoori seasoning, salmon fillets, zucchini, ground cumin, sea salt, ground black pepper, fresh mint leaves, Greek yogurt.
On the ketogenic diet, it is important that the foods you eat are healthy and provide you with all the nutrients your body needs, so salmon is a perfect protein source as it is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids. It is also great for the grill as it is a meaty fish which holds together quite well and tastes so good! The flavors in this dish are simple, but served together with the yogurt dip they taste amazing!
Shrimp and Sausage Skewers
– All Day I Dream About Food
Ingredients: butter or coconut oil, red chili pepper, garlic, salt, pepper, spicy Al Fresco Fully Cooked Chicken Sausage, shrimp.
If you are used to grilling outdoors during the summer, you will probably agree with me that food tastes so much better eaten outside! So when you pair up shrimp with flavorful sausage you have a super-tasty low-carb meal to share with the family. This is also a quick gluten-free meal, and because you are using pre-cooked sausage, these skewers are ready as soon as the shrimp are cooked.
Easy Oven Baked Salmon Kabobs Skewers Recipe
– Melanie Cooks
Ingredients: salmon fillets, lemon, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
This keto recipe is another example of simple food being the star of the show! The salmon skewers are baked in the oven so you don’t have to fire up the grill or wait till the weather is good. The healthy fish is seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, keeping the taste simple and letting the salmon flavor shine through. These would be perfect served with a salsa or on a bed of roasted vegetables.
Other Keto Kebabs
Seekh Kebab
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: yellow onion, ground meat (lamb), garlic, ginger, Thai bird chili, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, sea salt, mint leaves, fresh cilantro, ghee.
These Indian kebabs are packed with flavor and would make a wonderful appetizer for an Indian meal, or served with roasted vegetables for a hearty meal. This keto recipe works just as well with ground beef or lamb, and these are really easy to eat so would be a good idea for a family barbecue. If you prefer, you could remove the sticks and serve these chopped, or turn the mixture into patties.
Rostelle – Grilled Lamb Skewers
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: hogget shoulder meat (lamb), salt, pepper.
This must be one of the simplest recipes around, but this method lets the flavor of the meat shine through! All you are adding to the lamb is salt and pepper, so there are no complicated seasonings to challenge you, and this is real food at its best. The meat gives you a source of protein that you can serve with vegetables, or simplify things and use a low-carb yogurt and mint dipping sauce.
Antipasto Kebabs (Contains Dairy)
– Peace, Love and Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: baby heirloom tomatoes, artichoke hearts, green olives, Kalamata olives, mozzarella balls, pepperoncini, salami.
Antipasto is a dish involving cooked meats, salad vegetables, and olives, with the choice of ingredients being totally personal. Because you are serving the different elements on skewers, you will find that youngsters are much more likely to eat these, especially if they are allowed to thread their own! These make an impressively pretty dish for a paleo or ketogenic dinner party too!
Lamb Kebabs With Coconut Curry Dipping Sauce
– Ditch The Carbs
Photo Credit: Libby from Ditch The Carbs
Ingredients: ground/minced lamb, spring onion, dried cumin, dried coriander/cilantro, turmeric powder, coconut cream, curry paste/powder.
If you are hosting a barbecue, it can be great to find a new recipe for something a bit better than simply burgers and drumsticks. So these lamb kebabs now feature at lots of our family meals! The ground lamb is seasoned with spices and served with the curry dipping sauce which can even be used with vegetable crudités. I usually add in a little-minced garlic to boost the flavor even more.
Persian Kefta Lamb Kebabs
– The Curious Coconut
Photo Credit: The Curious Coconut
Ingredients: white onion, ground lamb, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, paprika, fine sea salt, ground black pepper, fresh cilantro leaves, fresh parsley leaves, fresh mint leaves, unsalted butter, ghee, or coconut oil.
This recipe uses 100% grass-fed lamb which is ideal for the ketogenic diet as it has a good level of fatty acids and can be used to prevent inflammatory issues. The lamb is seasoned with Mediterranean spices such as cumin and cinnamon, making these delicious skewers ideal for a main when you are entertaining guests. This is a gluten and grain-free recipe that will also be compliant with the paleo diet.
Chorizo Meatballs
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: water, cream of tartar, baking soda, ground pork, garlic, red wine vinegar, dried ancho chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin, paprika, chipotle chili powder, salt, dried oregano leaves, dried thyme leaves, ground cinnamon, ground black pepper.
This has got to be one of the tastiest keto meatball recipes I have ever made! You have a ton of flavor from the spices used and a good kick from the chilis, and they really taste like chorizo because of the paprika. These would make a lovely meal served with some roasted vegetables. They can also be made smaller and used as party food when you have friends around.
Grilled Lamb Kabobs With Tahini Sauce
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: lamb, fresh mint leaves, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Himalayan salt, ground pepper, ground allspice, ground Ceylon cinnamon, tahini paste, water.
Lamb has traditionally been served with mint for centuries, and it is still a winning combination today. The meat in this low-carb recipe is marinated in lemon, garlic, and spices and served with a tasty tahini sauce. This would be a fantastic dish to make on the grill when you have a family barbecue, as it is a simple dish but packed with taste. Remember to rest the kabobs after cooking to allow the meat to tenderize.
AIP Lamb, Tarragon and Mint Koftas Guest Post by Jo Romero
– The Paleo Mom
Ingredients: lamb mince, garlic, fresh tarragon leaves, fresh mint, fresh parsley, salt.
Koftas have their origins in the Middle East, and usually, involve using minced lamb flavored with spices and grilling it on skewers. The ones in this recipe are keto and AIP-friendly and have the traditional pairing with mint, but with the surprise ingredient being the tarragon, which we normally team up with chicken. These can be served with a salad or coleslaw, or just with a simple dipping sauce.
Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Skewers
– PaleOMG
Ingredients: thick asparagus, prosciutto, olive oil, coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, sliced almonds.
This keto recipe is for a classic dish of asparagus wrapped in ham, and it makes the perfect side dish to serve with roast meats. However, the asparagus tastes so good that these would make a great dish for your next barbecue! The crowning glory has got to be the sauce – a mixture of balsamic vinegar and coconut aminos that is reduced down and drizzled at the end of cooking. Yum!
