
Grilled Beef Skewers with Zucchini, Dates, and Cumin-Orange-Mint Marinade
Original grilled beef skewers featuring a savory contrast between smoky char, the natural sweetness of dates, and a fresh orange, cumin, and mint marinade. Zucchini adds juiciness and tender texture for a grill dish that feels elegant yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 700 g beef sirloin (1.25 inch)
- 300 g zucchini (en medias lunas gruesas)
- 8 units Medjool dates (boneless)
- 160 g red onion (cut en trozos large)
- 80 ml orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 cditas orange zest (fina)
- 45 ml olive oil (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic (chopped finely)
- 2 cditas ground cumin
- 1 cdita smoked paprika
- 12 g fresh mint (chopped, packed lightly)
- 8 g salt (or to taste)
- 1 cdita black pepper (freshly ground)
- 15 ml honey
- 15 ml red wine vinegar
- 5 g extra mint leaves (for terminar)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, 30 ml olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chopped fresh mint, salt, black pepper, honey, and red wine vinegar until well combined.
- 3
Add the beef sirloin to the bowl and toss until all the cubes are coated with the marinade. Let rest for 15 minutes in a cool spot or refrigerated while you prepare the vegetables.
- 4
In another bowl, toss the zucchini and red onion with the remaining 15 ml olive oil and an extra pinch of salt and pepper.
- 5
Build the skewers by alternating beef sirloin, zucchini, Medjool dates, and red onion until all ingredients are used. Gently press the dates so they stay securely between the meat and vegetables.
- 6
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 450 °F / 230 °C. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
- 7
Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until the beef is browned outside and cooked to your preferred doneness, and the zucchini and onion are tender and lightly charred.
- 8
Transfer the skewers to a platter, rest for 3 minutes, and finish with the extra mint leaves on top before serving.
Chef tips
For better browning, lightly pat the meat dry before skewering if the marinade seems very wet. Dates caramelize quickly, so turn the skewers often to keep them from burning.
Substitutions
You can use top blade or thick skirt steak instead of beef sirloin. Honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a different flavor profile. If you do not have fresh mint, use fresh parsley, though the result will be less aromatic.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
Illustrative imageTeakhaus Teak Cutting Board
Stable base for chopping
- Stable surface for chopping
- Gentle on your knife edge
- Hand-wash and let it dry
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