Next time you crank up the grill, kick up your outdoor cooking options with a kaleidoscope of colorful skewers. Kebabs, sticks, brochettes—whatever you call them, skewered tidbits sizzled over fire is one of the world’s most beloved cooking methods. In fact, the technique is so efficient, versatile, and tasty, it dates back to early man (try as long as 300,000 years ago).

With nothing more than a few long metal or wood skewers and a hot grill, you can mix and match ingredients to create mouthwatering flavor and texture combinations. Marinades and sauces add moistness and zest, while easy accompaniments such as salad greens, toasted bread, and dipping sauces round out the offerings for a full meal.

Mini Burger Brochettes

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Get all the goodness of a grilled “burger” experience—including lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and “special sauce”—on a stick with these clever kebabs.

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Hoisin “Sausage” and Plum Kebabs

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Placing hot kebabs directly on a bed of baby spinach, then topping with warm sauce wilts the spinach, adding a tender texture.

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Tandoori Eggplant Kebabs

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If you use nonfat plain yogurt, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the sauce, or to keep it vegan, substitute soy yogurt.

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Grilled Panzanella Sticks

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Try this recipe with mini rosemary skewers made by stripping rosemary branches of all but the top leaves and threading half of ingredients onto each branch.

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Thai Lemongrass Tofu Skewers

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Pressing and draining tofu before marinating it gives it a chewy texture that goes well with barbecue flavors.

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Banana Skewers with Chocolate-and-Pistachio-Stuffed Dates

This is a great dessert to add to your grilling repertoire because the skewers cook best around the edges of the grill, away from direct heat.

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  Chopped Black Bean-Avocado Salad

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  Peach Cobbler

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  Mushroom, White Bean and Leek Ragoût

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  Summer Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

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  Malaysian Tropical Curry with Lemongrass and Shallots

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  Soy-Sesame Bok Choy Rolls

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  Strawberry Gazpacho with Lime Cilantro Cream

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  Vegetable Moo Shu Wraps

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  Carrot Dip with Crushed Walnuts and Olives