Chipotle Steak Kebabs

Fire up the grill and make these simple steak kebabs! Steak, veggies, and pineapple are kissed with caramelization, then dipped in an addictive chipotle sauce.

Steak Kebabs:

You can't go wrong with steak kebabs! They're fun to make and hard to mess up. Pair that with an addictively creamy sauce and magic happens.

For this recipe, I decided to forgo the typical steak marinade and replace it with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and chipotle sauce. It's simple and delicious!

These kebabs carry a subtle heat and nothing more! They're not meant to be spicy, just full of flavor. The combo of sweet, caramelized pineapple with the subtle heat from the sauce is TOO good.

Key Ingredients:

• Steak - I chose sirloin steak because it's lean and affordable. Make sure to trim any silver skin or excess fat. Silver skin is a thin, connective tissue that tightens and shrinks as it cooks. It doesn't taste good!
• Bell peppers - I chose red and yellow bell peppers for their natural sweetness. Green bell peppers are less sweet and slightly bitter.
• Pineapple - You can buy pre-cut chunks or a whole pineapple and cut it up. I prefer to buy the chunks to save time.
• Red onion - Try not to let the onion fall apart too much as you cut it.
• Chipotle sauce - I used my favorite brand, La Costena. Chipotle sauce is the pureed version of chipotles in adobo. If you can't find it, you can finely mince a chipotle instead.
• Sour cream - Sour cream creates a light and drizzable sauce!

How to Make Steak Kebabs:

Steak kebabs are easy, but there's a few steps you need to prepare ahead of time. For example, it's best to marinade the steak for at least an hour.

1. Marinade the steak:

• You can marinade the steak in a bowl or zip-top bag. I prefer a bowl because it's easier to remove the steak.
• Combine all the marinade ingredients to the bowl. Add your steak cubes and chill for up to 2 hours.
• Stir halfway through to make sure the steak is fully coated.

• Don't forget to soak your skewers so they don't burn up on the grill. I place them in a shallow pan and cover with water.

2. Skewer the meat and veggies:

• Cut the veggies into chunks. Lightly toss them with a little bit of olive oil and salt.
• Use your hands to alternate adding the bell peppers, pineapple, red onion, and marinated steak to the skewers. The order is up to you!
• Avoid packing everything too tightly. Give them a little space so they all get that hot heat from the grill.

3. Make the chipotle sauce:

• In a medium bowl, combine the mayo, sour cream, chipotle sauce, lime juice, and salt. Stir well.
• If you can't find chipotle sauce, just use pureed or minced chipotles in adobo.

4. Grill the kebabs:

• The grill should be hot! Don't put the kebabs on a lukewarm grill. It should be on medium-high to high heat.
• Grill the kebabs, rotating every couple minutes until the edges are caramelized, but the inside of the meat is still pink.

What kind of steak should I use?

Sirloin steak is a good choice because it's lean and affordable, but it's not as tender as other cuts. If you want to spend a bit more, tenderloin or filet can be used as well. Tenderloin is lean with a soft, buttery texture that's not as chewy.

Variations:

• Chicken - Swap the steak with chicken breasts or thighs. Cut them into chunks just like the steak. Just be sure to cook them all the way through.
• Veggies - Feel free to swap the bell peppers and onion with other veggies. Quick-cooking veggies like zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes all work great.

Storage:

• Use a fork to remove the steak and veggies from the skewers. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed through. Don't overheat the steak or it will get chewy!

Simple Dinner Recipes:

• Chimichurri Steak Bowl
• Healthy Ground Turkey Quinoa Bowls
• Grilled Chicken Marinade
• Juicy Honey Lime Shrimp
• Mustard Chicken Thighs