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13 best kebabs for BBQ season, from halloumi to smoky koftas
All Taste Approved by our panel
Tested by Callum Black, Joanna Anastasiou and Georgia Turnell
Burgers and sausages are barbecue stalwarts, but why not try adding a little extra flavour to the grill this summer with one of these top-rated kebabs.
From creamy halloumi to moreish spicy koftas, as part of our annual BBQ Taste Test, we’ve been busy selecting the best chicken, pork, beef, lamb, veggie and vegan kebabs for popping on the barbecue when the weather warms up (or not – because we're nothing if not resilient here in the UK).
Pre-marinated with herbs, spices and sauces, they also take minimal effort, meaning less time prepping and more time enjoying a gin in a tin in the sunshine. Serve with fresh salads, dips and warm flatbreads for summer on a plate.
Best kebabs to buy 2025
In a hurry to fire up the barbie? These are our top picks at a glance but keep scrolling for our full reviews.
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For more Taste Approved treats: Best burgers | Best sausages | Best ribs | Best chicken | Best steak | Best meat-free burgers | Best meat-free sausages | Best hot sauce | Best ice cream
How we test BBQ kebabs
Our tasting panel sampled 19 meat, vegetarian and vegan kebabs from the leading supermarkets and independent butchers in a quest to find this summer’s best skewers.
Each was cooked according to the packet instructions and blinded to avoid bias. Testers were looking for tender, delicately charred ingredients with aromatic and well-balanced seasoning.
Read on for the best kebabs to add to your barbecue line-up this summer.
Score: 85/100
Our winning kebab consists of tender, boneless chicken legs, marinated with 14 Middle Eastern-inspired herbs and spices and a creamy garlic yoghurt dressing. Our testers thought it could pass as homemade (we won’t tell). Serve it on a warm flatbread with hummus, salad and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Indian Butter King Kebab 715g
Score: 82/100
This juicy Sainsbury’s kebab was a hit with our testers, with rich spicing drawing on the comforting flavour of Indian butter chicken. Deliciously aromatic, with notes of fenugreek, coriander, ginger and garlic, it achieved a delicious char on the barbecue and had a delicate, buttery flavour. A real crowd-pleaser.
Available 30 April
Score: 81/100
Taking inspiration from Japan’s snacking skewers, the chicken is coated in a sweet and sticky teriyaki glaze that’s bursting with ginger, garlic and salty soy sauce. This ensures the meat stays moist, and it also caramelised nicely on the grill.
Score: 79/100
Add an Indonesian influence to your spread with ASDA’s tasty chicken skewers. The light, aromatic peanut sauce has notes of garlic, ginger and lemongrass; and while you’ll need to watch you don’t overcook them, they do make a quick and easy midweek meal.
Score: 79/100
Lamb and mint are a winning combination, and the herb has been used to great effect here, lifting the tender meat without overpowering. Pile into flatbread, drizzle with garlic yoghurt and top with pickles.
Score: 78/100
We adore the Greek influence in these juicy pork kebabs, which give a little taste of sun-drenched summer holidays right here in the UK. Beautifully seasoned with aromatic oregano and tangy feta, the succulent meat is particularly delicious with a dollop of tzatziki on the side.
Score: 78/100
Is it even a barbecue without a slice of halloumi slipping between the grills? This flavour-packed veggie skewer is also coated with the condiment of the season – hot honey. The spicy marinade perfectly complements the creamy cheese, and the halloumi retained a squishy but firm texture.
Score: 77/100
This soy and tamarind marinade ensures your chicken is super succulent, with a zippy lime note that’s ideal for a summer spread. Our testers found the kebabs well-seasoned and enjoyed the freshness of the garlic and parsley.
Score: 76/100
Made of pea protein, cumin and mint, this is a fully plant-based alternative to a classic lamb kebab. Our testers were impressed by how robust the lamb-substitute “meat” tasted, and thought the garlic seasoning was well balanced. They might just turn the most ardent carnivore...
Score: 76/100
Whether catering for vegans or not, these Asian-inspired, plant-based koftas deserve a place on your grill. They’re packed with veg – including peppers, beans, and onion – alongside punchy flavours of chilli, garlic, ginger, coriander, soy sauce and brown sugar.
Score: 76/100
These smoky beef skewers look to the Middle East for herbs and spices, including plenty of paprika. They also achieved an impressive char on the barbecue.
Score: 75/100
Feeding a crowd? You can afford to stock up with Lidl’s well-priced lamb kebabs. The meaty flavour is complemented by a touch of sweet mint. However, some found it a little too oily, so keep things light and serve with salad.
Score: 74/100
Our testers enjoyed the soft, tender meat lightly coated with tandoori spices, citrus and dried herbs, which some found reminiscent of a traditional kebab shop takeaway.
These also passed...
- Canvin & Gunner Tandoori Beef Kebabs with a Mango and Lime Chutney, £6.95 for 380g, Score: 74/100
- Morrisons The Best Tandoori Marinated Chicken King Kebab, £9 for 680g, Score: 72/100
- Exceptional by ASDA Middle Eastern Inspired Lamb Kebabs with a Spiced Mango Dressing, £5.88 for 460g, Score: 70/100
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
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