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Kebabs aren’t just something you get at Turkish restaurants – they are also an amazing thing to grill at home. For a bit of a healthier alternative to lamb, though, why not try these turkey kebabs?
Not sure what to serve with your turkey kebabs, so why not make Tex Mex Corn on the Cob? Or you try The Ultimate Jiffy Cornbread Recipe as a side dish!
Turkey Kebabs
Kebabs are the perfect way to combine meat and vegetables into one dish, and these turkey kebabs do just that in a surprisingly healthy way!
While you could just layer your favorite vegetables and protein onto a skewer, the extra step of marinating your meat really does make all the difference.
So, grab some skewers and fire up the grill for this healthy, filling, and satisfying kebab!
Could You Use Chicken In Place Of Turkey?
Chicken is often much easier to find and also tends to cost slightly less than turkey. Plus, some people prefer chicken to turkey, as they find it to have a softer texture and milder flavor.
If you are having trouble finding turkey breasts or are someone who falls into the category of preferring chicken, the good news is that you can absolutely use chicken in place of turkey to make your kebabs.
The main difference that you will notice if you use chicken instead of turkey is that your kebabs will have a slightly milder flavor. This could be a good or bad thing depending on your taste. Turkey has a much more distinct flavor than chicken, although the marinade will make the difference less noticeable than if you were just eating the meat on its own.
Chicken also has a softer texture than turkey and so will result in slightly less chew when biting into your kebab. This textural difference means that it is easier to overcook chicken, resulting in that chalky texture that often puts people off chicken breasts. So make sure to keep an eye on your kebab while they cook to help maintain its juicy texture.
What To Do If You Don’t Have A Container For Marinating
Using a glass container with an airtight seal is the best option for marinating your turkey. However, if you don’t have a suitable container, you probably have several other things in your kitchen that you can use instead.
One option is to use a freezer bag to contain your marinade and turkey. Just make sure that the bag can be completely sealed so that nothing leaks out while it is in the fridge.
Just pour your marinade into the bag and then add your turkey pieces. Once the bag is sealed, gently shake and move the pieces around through the plastic to make sure that they are submerged in the liquid.
Another option is to use an oven tray in place of a container and to cover the tray using plastic wrap. Press the plastic wrap down to ensure a tight seal and no spills in the fridge and you are good to go.
How To Tell When Your Skewers Are Cooked
Just like with any other meat, it is important to make sure that your turkey is fully cooked before removing it from the grill and serving.
The best and safest way to check that your turkey is cooked is by using an instant-read thermometer as it allows you to see the precise temperature.
The recommended safe temperature to serve turkey breasts is 165F, however, when left to rest this will result in a dry and slightly chalky texture. For this reason, some people prefer to cook turkey breasts until they reach 160F and then allow them to rest and continue to cook off the heat.
Obviously, it depends on whom you are cooking your turkey kebabs for and whether a slightly improved texture is worth the risk of only cooking your turkey to a temperature of 160F.
If you are making turkey kebabs for other people, especially children or older people, it is best to be cautious and cook them to 165F just to be on the safe side.
What To Serve With Your Turkey Kebab
Kebabs are best when served with a few sides, ideally at least one being a carb and the other being something that complements the flavors of your kebabs.
- Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are the perfect side dish to serve with your turkey kebabs, as they are in keeping with the summery, grilled vibes of the dish.
If you have extra vegetables from your kebabs, you can simply slice and grill them as a side. Alternatively, you could add different vegetables such as grilled corn on the cob or eggplants.
- Flavored Rice
For a carb-forward side dish, try making flavored rice to serve alongside your kebabs. For example, spicy rice works great with turkey kebabs and adds an extra layer of flavor to the meal. Or you could make tomato vegetable rice using the same vegetables that are in your kebabs.
- Salad
A side salad goes with almost anything and so if you’re looking for a quick, summery dish to serve with your kebabs why not try a simple salad?
Looking for more delicious Poultry and Turkey recipes? Try these out:
Happy Cooking!
Love,
Karlynn
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Turkey Kebabs
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Turkey Breast
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 medium red pepper
- 1 medium red onion
- 6-10 long wooden skewers
Marinade
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 3 green onions (minced)
- 1 Teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- ½ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the turkey meat into 1½ inch cubes. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and then slice into pieces about 1/2 inch thick. Slice the onion and Red Pepper into 1 inch pieces.
- Add the turkey, onion, zucchini and red pepper to the wooden skewers alternating.
- In a medium bowl add all the ingredients for the marinade and whisk well to combine.
- In a glass dish with a tight fitting lid add the skewers and 1/2 of the marinade. Roll the skewers around so they are coated on all sides. Refrigerate overnight. Refrigerate the remaining marinade in a separate sealed container in the fridge.
- Grill the skewers on a medium high heat for 10-15 minutes until the turkey is cooked through. Discard the excess marinade that the skewers were in.
- Serve the reserved marinade from the fridge drizzled over the cooked skewers. Serve with a dish of rice or your favorite cooked vegetable.
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