These sweet and spicy steak kebabs marinated in a fiery roasted pepper sauce and dark molasses are bold and smoky for the hungriest orc warrior! For another grilled meat recipe from Middle Earth, try our Stout Glazed Steak and Onion Skewers, or explore more summer recipes from Middle Earth.
If you love Middle Earth-inspired preserves and pantry recipes, try our Hobbit's Pantry e-cookbook for a compilation of many of our favourite recipes from the Shire.
At a Glance: Sweet and Spicy Steak Kebabs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 1 to 4 hours
- Grilling Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 35 minutes to 4 hours
- Servings: 6
- Flavour: Spicy, slightly smoky with a hint of sweetness
- Skill Level: Easy
- Why this Works: Tender cubes of steak are marinated with a fiery pepper sauce and sweet molasses before grilling with peppers and onions until charred for a delicious orc-inspired dish.
Steak Kebabs with Fiery Roasted Pepper Sauce
There is perhaps no food more beloved to a mighty orc warrior than a hunk of meat roasted over an open flame. As the hordes of orcs gather around their evening fires and begin to prepare the spoils of their raiding and hunting, they pull out a jar off their favourite spicy condiment to flavour the meat. With the charred flavour of peppers and onions along with hints of smoky paprika, our fiery roasted pepper sauce is the perfect way to add a punch of spice to these steak kebabs. A spoonful of dark molasses adds both a hint of sweetness and slight edge of bitterness to the marinade.
If you're looking for more delicious orc cuisine then you should try our sweet and spicy oven baked ribs or our balsamic bourbon short ribs. As much as orcs love meat, they are sometimes forced to expand their diet. They may not have a conventional sweet tooth, but we think they would enjoy the sweetness of molasses paired with its bitter edge, such as in our 'maggoty' molasses oat bread and molasses brown soda bread. Finish your orc feast with a fiery blackberry orc draught.
Ingredients for Sweet and Spicy Steak Kebabs
Steak: I recommend using sirloin steak for this recipe. It is an economical cut of beef, easy to source, and remains tender after marinating and grilling. You could substitute with a different steak such as strip loin or even tenderloin if you prefer.
Fiery Roasted Pepper Sauce: The marinade gets its heat from a dollop of our fiery roasted pepper sauce. You can adjust the level of spice in the marinade by adding more or less of the sauce. One tablespoon should give a mild medium heat level to the grilled steaks. You can certainly use another type of hot sauce but you may need to adjust the amounts depending on how hot the sauce is. Taste the marinade before adding to the beef to make sure you are happy with how spicy it is. Keep in mind, the flavours will be a bit muted after marinating so it's preferable to ensure the marinade is strongly flavoured.
Molasses: Molasses adds sweetness to this dish and balances the tangy, spicy flavours of the marinade. The earthy, slightly bitter flavour of the molasses pairs well with the charred flavours in both the sauce and the grilled steak. You can substitute with honey or brown sugar instead.
Light olive oil: I like using a light olive oil in this marinade. You can use any type of neutral oil instead, such as avocado, vegetable, or grapeseed oil.
Malt vinegar: This recipe uses malt vinegar which has a tangy, slightly sweet and nutty flavour. Apple cider vinegar would make a great substitute.
Peppers: I chose to use red bell pepper simply to complement the red peppers in the pepper sauce, however, you could use any type of bell pepper you prefer.
Red onion: I particularly like the flavour of red onion when grilled but you could substitute a sweet or yellow onion if you prefer.
Tips for Grilled Steak Kebabs
Kebabs have a long history in Middle Eastern cuisine where seasoned meat grilled over an open flame has been enjoyed for centuries. Today, steak kebabs are a beloved summer grilling favourite where tender marinated meat is threaded with fresh vegetables and grilled to perfection. Here are a few tips for grilling the perfect steak kebab!
- Cut evenly - Be sure to cut the steak into evenly sized pieces. This will ensure that each piece cooks evenly and to the same level of doneness. Similarly, evenly cut onions and peppers will ensure that the vegetables are also evenly cooked.
- Don't overcrowd the skewer - Thread the steak and vegetables on the skewer so that they are close together but still have a slight gap between them to allow for better air circulation. You want to avoid squishing everything tightly together which will lead to uneven cooking and browning.
- Marinate the steak - The relatively small steak pieces don't need to be marinated for too long. I recommend marinating the meat between 1 to 4 hours. Marinating too long can affect the texture of the meat, as the fibres continue to breakdown, and results in a mushy or mealy texture.
- Type of skewer - I like using metal skewers which has the added benefit of good heat conduction, helping to cook the meat from the inside. Wooden skewers are another option, although I recommend soaking them for at least 1 hour before using to prevent them from burning too much.
- Grilling temperature - Grill the kebabs over a high heat to ensure they brown evenly on the outside before they overcook. I recommend grilling the kebabs until the steak has an internal temperature of 140°F which is medium doneness. This will ensure the steak remains tender and juicy. However, you can certainly cook them longer if you prefer a more well-done steak.
How to make Sweet and Spicy Steak Kebabs
1. Marinate the beef
Trim any fat from the steak and cut into 1 ½" cubes. Transfer the steak cubes to a large resealable bag. In a small bowl, combine the light olive oil, malt vinegar, molasses, fiery roasted pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Whisk together until combined.
Pour the marinade over the beef in the bag. Seal the bag, removing as much as you can. Massage the marinade into the steak cubes making sure each piece is coated. The steak should be marinated in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. If using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 1 hour before using.
2. Assemble the kebabs
Cut the onion and peppers into 1 ½" pieces. Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread a steak cube onto one of the skewers followed by one piece each onion and bell pepper. Repeat 4 or 5 times to fill up the skewer, beginning and ending with the steak. Repeat with the remaining steak, onions, and peppers.
3. Grill the kebabs
Preheat the grill to about 425°F. Spray the grill with non-stick spray. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the skewers and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Grill the skewers until the steak reaches an internal temperature of around 140°F for medium doneness, or until your desired doneness. Remove from the heat.
4. Serve the Sweet and Spicy Steak Kebabs
When the steak has reached your desired doneness, remove from the grill. Let the steak kebabs rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve the kebabs with more fiery roasted pepper sauce on the side and enjoy!
More Pantry Recipes from Middle Earth
- Blackberry Mead Jam
- Rhubarb Shallot Relish
- Chive Blossom Butter
- Spiced Rhubarb Jam
- Raspberry Lavender Jelly
- Pickled Mustard Seeds
- Wild Mushroom Seasoning Salt
- Spiced Apple Butter
