Good Food for a Crowd (Recipe: Cumin & Oregano Beef Kebabs)

Summer eating calls for food that gives maximum flavour for minimal effort. These Cumin and oregano scented beef kebabs deliver just that.

They are one of my go-to grilling suppers and make an excellent menu option for entertaining friends on warm evening.

At a recent backyard barbecue, these recipes stole the spotlight: tender sirloin kebabs that had been marinated in garlic, cumin and loads of fresh oregano.

I served my kebabs with a little grilled zucchini, steamed corn and fluffy rice.

The kebabs are also delicious sandwiched between grilled pita bread that had been bathed in a pungent garlic-infused olive oil. Dress this with fresh tomatoes and creamy Tzatziki. I could eat this way all month long!

An assortment of fresh summer salads make the perfect accompaniments to your simple grilling party. Try Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad with Lime & Basil, Classic Greek Salad, or just a mound of marinated tomatoes with shredded basil and a crumbling of feta.

Fresh flavours, little fuss, eating with your hands – that’s what summer dining is all about. I hope you give these recipes a try. And if you’re more into chicken then beef, try these Grilled Peach and Chicken Kebabs.

Cumin & Oregano Beef Kebabs

If any of you grow your own oregano, you’ll already be familiar with how it grows like a weed. Don’t be shy with this lovely herb for this recipe, but let the flavour shine through.
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 293kcal
Author: Aimee

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped oregano
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds sirloin flap steak or flatiron steak, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

Equipment

  • 12 12-inch wooden skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes.

Instructions

  • Stir together olive oil, oregano, garlic, spices, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl, then toss with beef. Marinate, chilled, at least 2 hours.
  • Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (high heat for gas);
  • Thread about 4 pieces of beef onto each skewer, leaving small spaces between pieces, then transfer to a tray.
  • Oil grill rack, then grill beef, covered only if using a gas grill, turning, until browned but still pink inside, 4 to 5 minutes.

Do Ahead

  • Beef can be marinated up to 8 hours

Notes

  • adapted from Gourmet Magazine
Serve with Garlic-Oregano Grilled Pita (recipe below), fresh Classic Greek Tzatziki and a summer salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 4mg

Garlic-Oregano Grilled Pita Bread

If you don’t quite have time for home made pita bread, this alternative is a wonderful way to liven up store-bought pita.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bakery
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 107kcal
Author: Aimee

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano
  • 8 rounds pocketless pita bread
  • kosher salt to taste

Instructions

For the Garlic-Oregano Oil:

  • Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
  • Cook garlic for a few minutes, turning once or twice, until pale golden.
  • Discard garlic and remove skillet from heat, then stir in oregano.
  • Reserve until ready to use. This can be done an hour or so in advance.

To Grill Pita:

  • Preheat grill to 400°F.
  • Grill pitas, 3 or 4 at a time, turning once, until grill marks appear.
  • Remove from grill and brush both sides with garlic-oregano oil.
  • Sprinkle with kosher salt and tuck into a square of aluminum foil to keep warm while you grill the other pitas.
  • Serve warm. Cut into wedges if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

June is definitely the month to get grilling! What are you cooking up?

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




24 Comments

  1. Such intersting dish.Thanks for your recipe sharing.I will try to make this on this wekkend with my family

  2. YUM – this looks divine. We are having people over for dinner on Monday, and I am going to make this. We don’t have a grill – I’m assuming I can just broil this in the oven?

  3. It look so good, simple and perfect for summer. The only thing missing is the smell… I can just imagine 🙂

  4. Aimee, my hubby made these for dinner last night and they were great. The kids loved them, and although I’m not quite sure why they felt the need to add strawberries to the dish (the kids, not Rob) I just went with it and everything was devoured. Thanks!

  5. I bet these are really sumptuous. I will definitely give it a try this upcoming weekend with the family & a few friends, in time for our victory celebration. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  6. The flavor of this was really nice, but my beef came out pretty chewy. We don’t have a grill, so I broiled it in the oven. Any tips on how to tenderize beef?

  7. I am so so glad you posted this last week, just as I was searching for a menu to make for our family gathering this weekend! It was the perfect meal! Everyone LOVED it and my husband says he is still “dreaming” about it 🙂 Thank-you!

  8. Pingback: Initial Ramblings « Chickpea Meets Kitchen
  9. This is great, easy to make and doesn’t take too long to prep either, you do need a seriously big pan to cook it in – be warned!!!! tastes delicous and any meat lover would be happy eating this. enjoy.