Smoky & Sweet Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs: Your Ultimate Grilling Recipe

Crack open a cold beer and fire up the grill with these sweet and smoky Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs – a recipe that promises an explosion of flavor and an unforgettable grilling experience.

Growing up, I wasn’t much of a movie buff. While many people have deep connections to classic films, my cinema education was, shall we say, lacking. Iconic titles like The Matrix, The Godfather, Lord Of The Rings (I might have caught a fleeting scene on a bus once before dozing off), Casablanca, and Gone With The Wind remained uncharted territory for me. If you were to search for a list of “best movies of all time,” I’d likely admit to having seen fewer than 20 percent of them, and for many I did see, the plot details have long since faded from memory.

This cinematic void became amusingly apparent recently during a conversation with friends. They kept making references to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and when I confessed I’d never seen it, their collective shock quickly turned into a playful ultimatum: I absolutely had to watch it. Under such friendly pressure, I finally caved and borrowed the DVD from my local library. And oh, what a revelation it was! I can now finally understand the countless inside jokes and cultural insights everyone has been sharing for years.

For those of you who, like me, might have missed this charming film, the story centers around a Greek daughter who, against her traditional father’s wishes, falls in love with and decides to marry a non-Greek man. The ensuing hilarity revolves around his attempts to integrate into her boisterous, loving, and very Greek family. A particularly memorable and universally relatable moment for food lovers comes when it’s revealed that the groom-to-be is a vegetarian, a concept that completely befuddles his future in-laws. My absolute favorite exchange perfectly encapsulates this cultural clash:

Aunt Voula: What do you mean he don’t eat no meat?
[the entire room stops, in shock]
Aunt Voula: Oh, that’s okay. I make lamb.

This scene always makes me smile because lamb, especially grilled lamb, holds a special place in my heart and on my palate. It’s a meat I crave often, its rich flavor and tender texture making it a true culinary delight. My affinity for lamb is often reignited by a particular Greek market in Pittsburgh, where they serve fresh, sizzling gyros right on the sidewalk. The aroma of the seasoned meat cooking on a vertical spit is utterly intoxicating, drawing you in from blocks away. It’s enough to make anyone want to rush home and fire up their own grill for some succulent lamb.

From Greek Inspiration to Mexican Flavors

And that’s precisely what I intended to do! However, inspiration has a funny way of striking when you least expect it. On my way to pick up lamb for a potential Greek-inspired dish, I passed a vibrant Mexican market, where the tantalizing scents of their grilled offerings wafted through the air. That moment sparked an exciting fusion idea: why not combine my love for grilled lamb with bold, smoky Mexican flavors? This serendipitous encounter led to the creation of these incredible Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs, featuring sweet cherry tomatoes and crisp green bell pepper, all coated in a rich, homemade chipotle BBQ sauce.

Since the summer heat often makes me reluctant to turn on my oven, grilling is my go-to method for dinner. Even though I no longer have a spacious yard, my current apartment boasts a lovely balcony. This compact outdoor space is perfect for setting up my portable camping grill. With a folding table and the grill in place, I can easily cook up a storm, keeping the heat outside and my apartment refreshingly cool. It’s a small luxury that transforms weeknight cooking into a mini-escape.

Why Kabobs are a Weeknight Winner

Kabobs are truly a gift after a demanding workday. They’re incredibly satisfying and, best of all, cook remarkably fast. This makes them an ideal choice for a quick yet impressive dinner. To further streamline your cooking process, you can easily prep all the ingredients ahead of time. Simply cut the lamb, bell peppers, and other vegetables in advance, then store them until you’re ready to thread them onto skewers right before grilling. This method drastically cuts down on active cooking time, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal without the fuss.

For these kabobs, I specifically sought out a boneless leg of American lamb from my local butcher. Opting for boneless lamb saves you the effort of deboning it yourself, making prep even easier. When selecting your lamb, I highly recommend looking for American lamb. It typically features a larger size and a higher fat content compared to imported varieties, which translates directly into more succulent flavor and tenderness. Plus, choosing American lamb is a fantastic way to support local farmers and ensure you’re getting a high-quality product.

The Perfect Pairing: Beer with Lamb and Chipotle

While my kabobs are sizzling on the grill, I love to unwind with a cold, refreshing beer. The robust flavor of lamb pairs exceptionally well with a variety of brews. My usual go-to pairing for lamb is a rich porter, whose dark, malty notes beautifully complement the meat’s intensity. However, when grilling outdoors in the summer, I often prefer something a bit lighter and crisper. A crisp pilsner is an excellent choice, as its clean, refreshing profile balances the heat and smoky nuances of the chipotle barbecue sauce without overpowering the delicate lamb flavors. It’s the perfect way to elevate your backyard grilling experience.

The Magic of Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Speaking of chipotle, I honestly cannot emphasize enough how much I adore this homemade chipotle barbecue sauce. It’s become a new favorite, and I find myself wanting to pour it over everything! The absolute best part about this sauce is its simplicity: it comes together in mere minutes because there’s no cooking required. Just toss all the ingredients into a blender, hit the blend button, and in moments, you have a perfectly smooth, rich, and flavorful sauce ready to go.

This recipe marked my first foray into cooking with chipotle peppers at home, and it certainly won’t be my last! If you’re unfamiliar with them, chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeños, and they are typically sold in a small can labeled “chipotles in adobo sauce.” You can usually find them in the Mexican foods section of most grocery stores. The adobo sauce itself is a flavorful, slightly tangy, and spicy marinade that perfectly complements the peppers’ smoky intensity. These peppers are the secret ingredient, infusing the barbecue sauce with an incredible smoky depth and a pleasant, balanced kick of spice that truly elevates the lamb kabobs.

Serving Suggestions for Your Lamb Kabobs

These Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a range of side dishes. For a complete and satisfying meal, consider serving them alongside a refreshing Caesar Pasta Salad or a hearty Italian Potato Salad. Both options offer a wonderful contrast to the smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors of the lamb. You could also opt for simple grilled corn on the cob, a fresh green salad, or some fluffy rice to soak up all that delicious barbecue sauce. No matter what you choose, these kabobs are sure to be the star of your dinner table.

Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs

Yield:
16

Prep Time:
1 hour

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes

You can cut the lamb and bell pepper ahead of time to help save on prep when you’re ready to cook.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch piece
• Sixteen 8-inch wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions

1. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, honey, chipotle peppers, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth.
2. Preheat your grill. On each skewer, thread the meat, tomato, and green pepper. Repeat until all of the ingredients are used.
3. Brush each kabob with sauce then add to the grill, cooking in batches if necessary. Cook for 5-8 minutes on one side, flip, and brush with more sauce. Cook another 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the lamb is medium (160F internal temperature).

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Tips for Perfect Grilled Lamb Kabobs

Achieving perfectly grilled lamb kabobs is simpler than you might think with a few key tips. First, ensure your wooden skewers are soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before threading. This prevents them from burning on the grill. For the lamb, cutting it into uniform 1.5-inch cubes ensures even cooking. Don’t overcrowd your skewers; leave a little space between the meat and vegetables to allow for proper heat circulation and even charring. When grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Sear the kabobs for 5-8 minutes per side, brushing generously with the chipotle barbecue sauce each time you flip. Using an instant-read thermometer is your best friend here: aim for an internal temperature of 160°F for medium doneness, ensuring the lamb is tender and juicy.

If grilling isn’t an option, you can also cook these lamb kabobs under a broiler or on a grill pan indoors. For broiling, place the kabobs on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil 4-6 inches from the heat, turning and basting every few minutes until cooked through. A cast-iron grill pan can mimic the char marks of an outdoor grill, just be sure not to overcrowd the pan. No matter your method, the sweet and smoky chipotle sauce will infuse the lamb with incredible flavor, making these kabobs a versatile and delicious meal any time of year.

Why This Recipe is a Must-Try

These Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs are more than just a meal; they’re an experience. They combine the rich, succulent taste of American lamb with a vibrant, easy-to-make chipotle barbecue sauce that’s both sweet and smoky with just the right amount of kick. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or new to outdoor cooking, this recipe is designed for success. Its quick cooking time makes it perfect for busy weeknights, while its impressive flavor profile makes it ideal for entertaining friends and family. The cultural journey from a Greek market inspiration to a Mexican-flavored dish truly embodies the joy of culinary exploration and the delightful surprises that food can bring.

So, gather your ingredients, fire up your grill (or even your indoor grill pan!), and prepare to be amazed by these incredibly flavorful Chipotle Barbecue Lamb Kabobs. They’re a testament to how simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create a dish that’s both comforting and exciting. Don’t wait—add this recipe to your must-make list and savor every sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy bite!