Beef Kebabs with Tzatziki

Okay so I have been obsessed with making kebabs at home lately and I finally cracked the code on getting that perfect char without a fancy restaurant grill. These beef kebabs with tzatziki have become our go-to for summer dinners, weekend cookouts, and honestly any night when I want something that feels impressive but comes together in under 30 minutes. The secret is in the spice blend — cumin, paprika, and garlic powder mixed right into the ground beef so every single bite is packed with flavor.

The tzatziki is the thing that takes this from good to absolutely amazing. I know it sounds fancy but it is literally just Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, and a squeeze of lemon. You can make it while the kebabs are on the grill and it stays good in the fridge for days (if it lasts that long, which in my house it definitely does not). I linked the metal skewers I use on Amazon below because they are a total game changer — no soaking, no burning, just easy grilling every time.

What You Need

The ingredient list is short and mostly pantry staples. Ground beef (I always go 80/20 for juicy kebabs), a handful of warm spices, and the yogurt sauce ingredients. That is genuinely it. If you want to make it a full spread, grab some pita bread and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers on the side.

For grilling I use metal skewers and a cast iron grill pan when I cannot get outside. Both work great. I will link the ones I have below so you can grab them if you need them!

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Grab my favorite metal skewers for grilling on Amazon and the cast iron grill pan I swear by.

Beef Kebabs with Tzatziki

Juicy grilled beef kebabs on skewers served with cool, creamy tzatziki sauce — the ultimate summer dinner that tastes like a Mediterranean vacation.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: middle eastern

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt for tzatziki
• 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

 

1. Mix ground beef with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into elongated oval shapes around metal skewers.
2. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill kebabs 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely charred.
3. While kebabs cook, stir together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, dill, and lemon juice for tzatziki. Season to taste.
4. Serve hot kebabs with tzatziki sauce alongside warm pita and fresh veggies.

Notes

Soak wooden skewers 30 minutes before using to prevent burning, or use metal skewers for easy cleanup.

Tips for Perfect Kebabs

Do not overwork the meat when mixing in the spices — just combine until everything comes together. Pack the meat firmly around the skewer so it holds its shape on the grill. And let the kebabs sear undisturbed for a full 6-7 minutes before flipping, that is how you get those gorgeous grill marks.

Make It a Meal

These kebabs are so versatile. Serve them over fluffy rice, stuff them in warm pita pockets, or lay them over a simple salad. The tzatziki works as a dip, a drizzle, and honestly a spread on everything. I made a big batch on Sunday and used the leftover tzatziki as a veggie dip all week. Zero complaints from anyone in this house.

More Grilling Favorites

If you love this one, you are going to want to explore more of our grilling recipes and entertaining ideas on the blog. There is always something new cooking around here!

xo, Pam