Shish kabob marinades…
When I think of summer, that’s what I think of. Along with fresh vegetables from our garden, watermelon, grilling, swimming in the river, family, and sunshine.
At meal time, we fellowship after a long day of work, recap our experiences, express our thankfulness, and enjoy a healthy meal together. But since our work days are so long, I can’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing the next meal. Instead, I plan ahead with foods that cook by themselves while I’m working — like with solar cooking… and marinades.
Our marinades are generally very nutritious and healthy anyway, but today I’m sharing 3 recipes with extra flavor from essential oils. (Skip the essential oils if you’re uncomfortable ingesting them.) Because the essential oils are most likely heated during grilling, I’m uncertain which health benefits remain.
Marinades work their magic while you’re busy elsewhere, so they’re perfect for those long days out of the house. Usually, we make shish kabob marinades. They marinate all day and then we grill at the end of the day.
What are kabobs? They are small pieces of seafood or meat — marinated for several hours — then skewered along with vegetables (like tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, zucchini, and mushrooms), seasoned, and grilled.
Now let’s get to my essential summer marinades! Mix one up, then marinate your seafood or meat chunks in it all day in the refrigerator. If you are in and out of the house, rotate the meat in it a few times during the day. In the evening, skewer them with an assortment of veggies and grill. And of course, enjoy!
Chili Lime Shish Kabob Marinade
What are kabobs? They are small pieces of seafood or meat — marinated for several hours — then skewered along with vegetables (like tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, zucchini, and mushrooms), seasoned, and grilled. Chili Lime Shish Kabob Marinade is recommended for shrimp.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons raw honey or organic sucanat
- 2 tablespoons pure water
- 8 drops lime essential oil or lime juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon grass minced
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients.
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Add seafood or meat chunks.
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Marinate day in the refrigerator.
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If you are in and out of the house, rotate the meat in it a few times during the day.
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In the evening, skewer them with an assortment of veggies and grill.
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Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Lime essential oil has a fresh, lively fragrance that's both stimulating and refreshing. Aromatically, lime oil is helpful in overcoming exhaustion, depression, and listlessness. Internally, lime oil is great for colds, fevers, energy, purification, and sore throats -- just to name a few.
Indian Shish Kabob Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 drop cinnamon essential oil or clove essential oil (or dried cinnamon or clove to taste)
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients.
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Add seafood or meat chunks.
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Marinate day in the refrigerator.
-
If you are in and out of the house, rotate the meat in it a few times during the day.
-
In the evening, skewer them with an assortment of veggies and grill.
-
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Cinnamon essential oil is an antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, light antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, immune stimulant, purifier, sexual stimulant, and it's warming. Now I know why I feel so good when I am making these kabobs and my pumpkin pies in the fall. 🙂
Clove essential oil is an analgesic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, strong antiseptic, anti-tumor, antiviral, disinfectant, antioxidant, and immune stimulant. Apply to a toothache for instant numbing affects.
Sweet and Sour Shish Kabob Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup sucanat packed
- 1/2 cup naturally fermented soy sauce
- 8 drops orange essential oil or orange juice or dried orange peel, to taste
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients.
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Add seafood or meat chunks.
-
Marinate day in the refrigerator.
-
If you are in and out of the house, rotate the meat in it a few times during the day.
-
In the evening, skewer them with an assortment of veggies and grill.
-
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Orange essential oil is calming and uplifting to the mind and body. It has anti-cancer, anti-depressant, antiseptic, and anti-spasmodic properties. It aids in digestion, and is a sedative and a tonic. Finally, it is often used for bronchitis, colds, to help appetite, complexion, digestive system, fevers, flu, to lower high cholesterol, mouth ulcers, muscle soreness, obesity, sedation, tissue repair, water retention, and wrinkles. (I'm excited about that last one!)
These are just a few of our marinades. Click here for more marinade recipes, including a Honey Lime Fruit Dip.
This post was featured in 98 Healthy & Easy 4th of July Recipes.
What’s your favorite marinade for kabobs?
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You are responsible for your own health and for the use of any remedies, treatments, or medications you use at home.
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Katie Mae @ Nourishing Simplicity says
I feel like I have to rush to the kitchen and make all of these for second breakfast this very minute! I never thought about using essential oils in marinades before, great tip! Now excuse me while I find something for my second breakfast!
Tammy Trayer says
Kathy Mae that is so funny and sounds like something I would do…. a 2nd breakfast just because something yummmy is screaming, but veggies in my book are ok all day long.. lol.. These recipes are delish and I have been incorporating my essential oils into EVERYTHING. The health benefits are endless and the flavor is amazing. I use them in my salad dressings also… I hope you enjoy!! Blessings lovely and thanks for commenting… <3
Jenny says
I had never thought of using essential oils in a marinade. Interesting. We’ll have to do some kabobs before the summer is over. We’ve got the veggies for them, I just get stuck in a rut and forget to make them.
Carole West says
This recipe looks wonderful – Been so busy lately haven’t had time to grill and boy this display is fantastic. Normally I just use lemon with garlic butter and herbs and sometimes just a simple teriyaki . Love grilling and living in the south it can be a year round thing if time allows.
Great post!
Carole West @ Garden Up green
Iryna Boehland says
Aah…! I love kabobs! Like them Georgian style (country, not the state). It is like your Chili Lime Marinade, with additions of tons of onion rings (they are yummy to grill on the skewer too), tomato slices (instead of lime) and spice mix called Khmeli-Suneli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmeli_suneli). I think coarsely ground coriander will do as a substitute.
Traditionally, they are done with lamb, but marbled pork is a good choice too.
Saving your recipes! Thank you