Charcoal-Grilled Beef Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

Tender beef skewers infused with a spiced yogurt marinade and grilled over charcoal for a rich smoky flavor with a creamy tangy finish. This middle eastern-inspired grilling ready in about 27 minutes pairs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes, plain Greek yogurt, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• enough for medium-high heat wood charcoal briquettes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp paprika, 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until smooth.
2. Step 2: Add 1.5 pounds of 1-inch cubed sirloin steak to the marinade, mixing well to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours to tenderize and flavor the beef.
3. Step 3: Prepare your charcoal grill by lighting enough briquettes to reach medium-high heat, about 450°F. Let the coals ash over and spread them evenly.
4. Step 4: Thread the marinated beef cubes onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces to allow even cooking.
5. Step 5: Place the skewers over direct heat and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, turning carefully to develop a smoky char while keeping the beef juicy.
6. Step 6: Remove skewers from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare or longer for preferred doneness. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.