Doesn’t matter if it’s sweet or savory (or somewhere in between) — here at HelloFresh, we’re on team skewer all summer long. For its chic presentation, sure, but also for the easy prep, fun assembly, and slam-dunk flavor. 

Savor every last drop of sunshine by firing up the grill (or the broiler) and skewering all your favorite summertime staples. From meat and fish to fruit and veggies, there isn’t much we’d rule out. But before you make a mad dash for the kitchen, read up on these tips and tricks to set yourself up for skewer success.

• Keep an eye out for size: Each piece of food should be roughly the same size and chopped proportionally for consistent, even cooking.
• Don’t crowd the party: Try to leave some small space between each ingredient so they can heat fully on all sides.
• Soak, soak, soak: If you’re opting for wooden skewers, soak them in warm water before adding the ingredients and cooking. This way, they won’t char when in contact with the heat.
• Watch closely: Timing is everything with skewers, so don’t walk away while they’re cooking. A good rule of thumb is:
  • Veggies: cook until charred, about 8 minutes
  • Shrimp: cook until pink and crisp on the outside and white inside, 5-7 minutes
  • Steak: cook until slightly pink inside and reaches desired doneness, about 10 minutes
  • Chicken: cook until white inside, about 15 minutes
• Don’t be afraid to move ’em around: This is the best way to distribute heat throughout the skewers, ensure even cooking, and get the best grill marks for those #HelloFreshPics.

1. Strawberry S’mores Skewers

Enjoy every pop of juicy flavor, followed by rich, gooey marshmallow deliciousness.

Ingredients:

• 1 Carton Strawberries
• 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 1 Bag Marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Place skewers in water and let soak a few minutes.
2. While skewers are soaking, slice green leafy tops off strawberries, and combine vinegar with sugar in a medium bowl.
3. Lightly toss strawberries in bowl until thoroughly coated, adding 2 more parts vinegar and 1 part brown sugar as necessary.
4. Thread strawberries and marshmallows onto skewers and place over heat until marshmallows are golden, 1-2 minutes.

2. Rainbow Fruit Skewers

Corral the kiddos into the kitchen! This one’s simple enough for the little ones to get involved, but delicious enough for everyone to love.

Ingredients:

• Strawberries, cored and halved
• Apples Chunks
• Grapes
• Banana Coins
• Pineapple Chunks
• Kiwi Slices
• Blueberries
• Greek Yogurt
• Honey

Instructions:

1. Thread fruit onto skewers in rainbow order.
2. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt with honey (1/4 cup honey for every cup of yogurt). Serve alongside for dipping.

3. Vibrant Veggie Skewers

Don’t be afraid to get creative with the veggies. Not a fan of mushrooms? Swap ’em out for red onion. Love sweet potatoes? Toss ’em in! There’s no right or wrong.

Ingredients:

• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 1 Zucchini
• 2 Ears Corn
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1/2 Tablespoon Sherry Vinegar
• 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 8 Ounces Small Button Mushrooms
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

1. Place skewers in water and let soak a few minutes.
2. While skewers are soaking, core, seed, and cut bell pepper into 1-inch squares. Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds. Cut corn on the cob into 1-inch rounds.
3. Mince garlic. In a small bowl, combine garlic, sherry vinegar, mustard, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove skewers from water. Thread mushrooms, zucchini, corn rounds, and bell pepper onto skewers, alternating between each. Brush with marinade, then season with salt and pepper.
5. Broil until lightly charred and tender, 6-8 minutes per side. (TIP: If grilling, place skewers on grate directly over flame and cook 6-8 minutes per side.)

4. Jerk Chicken and Peach Skewers

This Jamaican-style recipe packs a punch of heat with the jerk seasoning balanced by a refreshing, cool bite from the juicy peaches.

Ingredients:

• 1 Onion
• 1 Peach
• 10 Ounces Chicken
• 1 Tablespoon Jerk Seasoning*
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 Lemon

Instructions:

1. Place skewers in water and let soak a few minutes.
2. While skewers are soaking, cut onion into 1-inch cubes. Halve, pit, and slice peach into wedges. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces.
3. Toss chicken in a medium bowl with jerk seasoning, peaches, onion, and a drizzle of oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.
4. Thread chicken, onion, and peach wedges onto skewers, alternating between each.
5. Broil or grill 10-12 minutes. Squeeze over lemon juice before serving.

*Jerk seasoning is easy to find at the grocery store, but if you’re in the mood to make it yourself, here’s what you’ll need:

• 12 parts garlic powder and dried thyme
• 8 parts onion powder and dried oregano
• 4 parts sweet paprika, white sugar, and allspice
• 2 parts ground cinnamon and white pepper
• 1 part cayenne

Watermelon isn’t too far behind skewers on the list of summertime staples, and we’ve got 10 bright and beautiful recipes to prove it.