This Grilled Strawberry Kebab Recipe with Basil is a fabulous appetizer that doubles as dessert. It's sweet, savory and bursts with the essence of summer.
I love this grilled strawberry kebab recipe -- while it's certainly sweet enough for dessert, the fresh basil leaves make it suitable for an appetizer too.
The balsamic glaze gives it a bit of depth -- perhaps like a chocolate sauce might.
During the summer strawberries enter the peak of their season.
A perfect strawberry is intoxicating. And grilled strawberries are a fun way to mix things up a little.
Buying Strawberries at the Farmers Market
If it's convenient, buy your strawberries at your local Farmers Market. They'll be the best -- organic locally sourced and super sweet.
Any produce is best when it hasn't traveled too far to reach you.
You can find a Farmers Market near you here.
Always walk up and down the market having a sample at each strawberry booth before deciding where to buy. I have a favorite booth at certain markets -- and it's great to develop a relationship with the growers, too. You'll get a lot of information about your produce this way, and it makes shopping at the market much more fun.
What's in this recipe?
- strawberries
- basil
- honey
- balsamic vinegar
- vanilla
Truly, this is a treat than can also be a side for an outdoor barbecue dinner, over ice-cream for dessert, or just as a delightful snack. There's always a place for grilled strawberries.
Whenever you have it, I hope you enjoy this strawberry kebab recipe as much as I do.
More summer fruit recipes:
- Grilled Chile Lime Watermelon
- Mango-Manchego Basil Salad Recipe
- Fruit Carpaccio with Minty Strawberries
- Avocado Toast Recipes with Mint and Fruit
- Grilled Peaches with Cashel Blue and Honey
Grilled Strawberry Kebabs Recipe with Basil
Ingredients
- about 16 medium-large firm strawberries
- 1 small bunch fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- salt
- grapeseed oil
Instructions
- To clean the strawberries, use a damp paper to wipe each one off. Remove the stems and cut each one in half, lengthwise.
- One by one, gently slide each strawberry half onto a metal or wooden skewer (if you're using wooden, soak them in water for about 10 minutes first). Between each strawberry half, slide on one or two basil leaves. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, vinegar, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt. Set aside.
- Preheat a stove-top grill or your barbecue and drizzle or brush a bit of grape seed oil onto the flat surface of each strawberry. Once the grill is hot, place the strawberry skewers on it, flat side down. You should hear a sizzling sound -- if you don't the grill is not hot enough. Wait until it is! Grill until each side is marked from the grill, about 30 seconds per side. Place the skewers on a plate and while they're still hot, use a pastry brush to add the glaze to the kebabs. Remove them from the skewers to serve.
amee
Valentina, this looks great on skewers! I have a similar idea coming up but this is so so lovely with the presentation.
valentina
Thanks, Amee! 🙂 Can't wait to see yours!
Lillian
Saw this on kitchn.com, and love the idea. You could even do a simple balsamic reduction (slowly heating the vinegar until syrupy and sweet) instead of mixing in honey- if that's your style!
Yum.
valentina
Thanks, Lilian. Yes, reducing the vinegar is a great idea, too! 🙂 Yum!
Coby Dahlstrom
we are making this tomorrow for father's day! thanks for the GREAT recipe!
valentina
Coby - so happy you're trying this! It's especially yummy over ice-cream! 🙂
the wicked noodle
Just what I'm in the mood for 🙂
Megan
Looks delicious! A note about the prep - I can't imagine wiping each berry to clean it. A quick rinse in water should do. Even better - rinse in a strainer with a bowl underneath. Then use the collected water to water your plants.
valentina
Hi Megan, Yes, washing them all at once is a time saver for sure. Sometimes the flavor is superior though, if you just wipe them off. Time permitting, of course. 🙂 Enjoy and happy summer!