Grilled Cajun-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Minnesota Wild Rice Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender grilled beef kebabs accented with Cajun spices paired with a refreshing wild rice salad inspired by Minnesota's native grain. This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs beef sirloin, Cajun seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.3 (9 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 1 cup wild rice blend according to package instructions (about 45 minutes), then fluff and cool to room temperature.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb beef sirloin cubes with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and 2 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated. Thread the beef onto skewers alternating with 1 large red bell pepper pieces and 1 medium red onion wedges.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the kebabs for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until beef is cooked to medium doneness and vegetables have slight char.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cooled wild rice, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
  5. Step 5: Serve grilled beef kebabs over a bed of wild rice salad while warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Minnesota Wild Rice Salad take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Cajun-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Minnesota Wild Rice Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cajun-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Minnesota Wild Rice Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Cajun-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Minnesota Wild Rice Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Cajun-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Minnesota Wild Rice Salad?

American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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