Whiskey-Glazed Beef Skewers with Michigan Cherry Sauce
Tender grilled beef skewers glazed with a rich whiskey and cherry sauce reflecting local Michigan spirits. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, bourbon whiskey, fresh cherries, pitted 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef sirloin
- 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 8 soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey, 1 cup pitted fresh cherries, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Step 2: Toss 1 lb beef sirloin cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Thread the beef cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers evenly. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Step 4: Grill the beef skewers for 3 minutes on each side, brushing generously with the whiskey-cherry glaze after flipping. Continue grilling and glazing for a total of 10 minutes or until beef is medium-rare and the glaze is caramelized.
- Step 5: Remove skewers and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with additional warmed whiskey-cherry sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whiskey-Glazed Beef Skewers with Michigan Cherry Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Skewers with Michigan Cherry Sauce?
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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Skewers with Michigan Cherry Sauce?
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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Skewers with Michigan Cherry Sauce 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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Skewers with Michigan Cherry Sauce?
American bbq & smoked 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.
