Embrace the sizzle of summer with a vibrant and incredibly flavorful grilling experience! When the sun shines bright and the mercury rises, the last place you want to be is cooped up in a hot kitchen. That’s where these spectacular BBQ Sausage, Veggie, and Pineapple Skewers come to the rescue. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of warm weather, good company, and effortless, wholesome eating. Perfect for everything from laid-back weekend gatherings with family and friends to quick-fire weeknight dinners, this easy-to-follow recipe promises a dish that’s as healthy as it is irresistibly delicious. Get ready to transform your dinner routine into a fun, vibrant, and utterly satisfying affair, all while keeping the heat where it belongs – on the grill!
Sizzling BBQ Sausage, Veggie, and Pineapple Skewers: Your Ultimate Summer Grilling Recipe
There’s an undeniable charm and satisfaction that comes with serving up a plate bursting with colorful food, especially during the summertime. The visual appeal alone makes every bite more enjoyable, and when that food is also easy to prepare, healthy, and cooked outdoors on the grill, it truly becomes a seasonal highlight. As temperatures soar, my unwavering focus remains on one simple goal: keeping the kitchen cool. This recipe allows you to do just that, bringing all the cooking magic outdoors.
Feeling a bit uninspired by your usual dinner rotation? Craving something quick, exciting, and full of flavor? Look no further. This remarkable recipe features just 7 core ingredients and is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. You’ll spend a mere 15 minutes on prep and another 10-15 minutes on the grill, resulting in a fantastic meal ready in around 30 minutes. Who doesn’t love a delicious, speedy dinner solution? These grilled sausage skewers are destined to become a staple, whether you’re navigating a hectic weeknight or hosting a lively backyard summer bash. They pair beautifully with a classic side of fluffy, buttery rice, a refreshing cool potato salad, or a zesty Italian pasta salad.
For an added touch of freshness, consider tossing together a simple leafy green salad to serve alongside your skewers. The crisp greens will provide a delightful contrast to the warm, savory components.
One of the best aspects of skewers is their incredible versatility. We frequently experiment with different combinations of ingredients to keep things exciting. Not a fan of bell peppers? Feel free to swap them out for chunks of zucchini, yellow squash, or even parboiled baby potatoes. Mushrooms and grape or cherry tomatoes also make excellent additions, adding their own unique textures and flavors. If pineapple isn’t quite your style, don’t fret! Perfectly ripe, chopped peaches offer a wonderfully juicy and sweet alternative that screams summertime.
Ready to fire up the grill and get cooking? Let’s dive into the details of this mouthwatering recipe and start creating your next favorite summer dish!
Essential Ingredients for Your BBQ Skewers
To create these irresistible BBQ Sausage, Veggie, and Pineapple Skewers, you’ll need just a handful of fresh and flavorful components:
- Italian sausage (links)
- Olive oil (divided)
- Red bell pepper (cut into chunks)
- Green bell pepper (cut into chunks)
- Fresh pineapple (cut into chunks)
- Red onion (cut into chunks)
- Barbecue sauce (divided)
(Continue reading below for the full, detailed ingredient list and step-by-step recipe instructions.)
Why These Skewers Are an Absolute Must-Try
What makes these BBQ Sausage, Veggie, and Pineapple Skewers stand out from the rest?
It’s the sublime combination of flavors and textures that truly sets this recipe apart. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of smoky char from the grill, savory goodness from the juicy Italian sausage, and a delightful burst of sweet and tangy freshness from the tender, caramelized pineapple and vibrant bell peppers. This isn’t just good; it’s melt-in-your-mouth good, creating an unforgettable culinary experience. Beyond the incredible taste, these skewers are a practical dream come true. You need only 7 simple ingredients and a mere 15 minutes of hands-on prep time, making dinner remarkably fast. They are the quintessential dinner solution for escaping a hot kitchen and relishing a delightful meal al fresco on a balmy summer evening.
Meal Prep & Storage: Planning Ahead for Convenience
Can I prepare these skewers in advance to save time?
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly forgiving and perfectly suited for meal prepping. You can assemble your skewers up to one day before you plan to grill them. Simply chop all your ingredients and thread them onto your skewers. Alternatively, if you prefer to chop everything ahead and assemble later, that works too. Ensure your prepped skewers or chopped ingredients are stored properly in an airtight, resealable bag or a covered container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness. This makes weeknight grilling even more convenient, as all the hard work is done!
What other fruits or vegetables can I incorporate into these skewers?
The beauty of skewers lies in their adaptability. If pineapple isn’t your preference, consider swapping it with sweet, chopped peaches for a different kind of summer fruit flavor, or simply omit fruit altogether if you prefer a purely savory skewer. For vegetable variations, feel free to add colorful grape tomatoes, chunks of zucchini or yellow squash, pre-boiled baby potatoes (which become wonderfully crispy on the grill), or earthy mushrooms. These can be used in place of, or in addition to, the bell peppers, allowing you to tailor the skewers to your family’s tastes or whatever fresh produce you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your combinations!
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve Alongside Your Skewers
What side dishes complement these flavorful skewers best?
These versatile skewers are fantastic with a range of side dishes. A classic choice is warm, buttery rice, which absorbs all the delicious BBQ flavors. For cooler options, a creamy potato salad or a zesty Italian pasta salad provides a wonderful contrast. We also adore serving them with a crisp, leafy green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, and a hearty slice of crusty bread for soaking up any remaining sauce. For a complete and satisfying meal, these pairings strike the perfect balance.
How should I store any leftover skewers?
Storing leftovers correctly ensures you can enjoy this delicious meal for days to come. Once cooled, carefully remove the meat and veggies from the skewers and place them in an airtight, resealable container. Refrigerate promptly, and they will stay fresh for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat them on your stovetop skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or use your microwave for a quicker reheat.
Expand Your Grilling Repertoire: More Easy Dinner Recipes
Looking for more effortless and delicious grilled dinner ideas? Explore these fantastic recipes:
- BBQ Chicken, Bell Pepper and Pineapple Skewers
- Grilled Caprese Chicken and Summer Squash
- Mexican Grilled Steak Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
- Sweet Chili Hawaiian Chicken Skewers
- Grilled Marinated Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
- Avocado Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwich
- Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Pork Chops
I genuinely hope you thoroughly enjoy this incredible, melt-in-your-mouth meal! It truly stands as one of our easiest and most beloved recipes for summertime grilling, perfect for those lazy sunset dinners savored on the deck or patio. These sausage skewers have become a regular fixture in our household, cooked on repeat as long as the sun is shining brightly and the grill is hot and ready.
Even if grilling isn’t an option, you can still enjoy similar flavors with these fantastic indoor alternatives:
Cooking on a sheet pan? Try my One-Pan Roasted Sausage, Peppers and Potatoes, or my Sausage, Zucchini + Tomato Sheet Pan Dinner. These recipes offer minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Prefer cooking in your skillet? You’ll love this Summer Vegetable, Sausage and Potato Skillet, or my classic Skillet Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions. Both are hearty, comforting, and perfect for any night.
If you’re planning to feed a larger crowd, this recipe is easily scalable – simply double or even triple the ingredients! It’s an efficient and delicious way to satisfy a bunch of hungry folks with a healthy, grilled dinner. We highly recommend serving some warm dinner rolls or a crusty loaf of bread on the side, along with a refreshing veggie salad, to complete the meal.
Should you decide to give these fantastic skewers a try, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and share a star rating. I would absolutely love to hear about your experience and know if you served these delightful skewers to your family and friends!
BBQ Sausage, Veggie + Pineapple Skewers
Makes 4 servings
15 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Italian sausage (about 6 links)
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- (Optional) Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak in water for 30 mins)
Instructions
- Prepare Sausage: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each Italian sausage link lengthwise and remove the casing. Discard the casing. Place the sausage meat into a medium bowl. Mash the sausage well with a fork until thoroughly blended, then roll the mixture into 20-25 (approximately 2-inch) meatballs. This ensures even cooking and easy skewering.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your outdoor gas grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. Once hot, brush the grates with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Skewers: Lightly coat your skewers (I recommend five 12-inch metal skewers for this recipe) with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Begin to alternate threading the prepared sausage meatballs, red bell pepper chunks, red onion pieces, green bell pepper chunks, and pineapple chunks onto the skewers. Try to distribute the ingredients evenly for visual appeal and balanced cooking.
- First Grilling Stage: Brush the assembled skewers generously with ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook, rotating them occasionally to ensure all sides cook evenly, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and show slight char marks, and the sausage meatballs are cooked through. This process typically takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Final Glaze: During the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, brush the skewers with the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Continue to cook, being careful not to let the sauce burn, until it becomes wonderfully caramelized and sticky.
- Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill. If desired, brush with a little extra BBQ sauce just before serving for an added burst of flavor and shine. Serve hot and savor every delicious bite!
Want to receive our latest recipes straight to your email inbox? Click here to subscribe and never miss a delicious update!