Mexican Beef Kabobs (Alambres de carne)

Mexican beef kabobs, also known as alambres de carne, are traditional and popular grilled food in Mexico. These skewers, made with grilled meat and veggies, can be found in many Mexican restaurants but they are usually served with tortillas. This beef kabobs recipe will show you how to make your own alambres at home so you never have to go out again!

Like many other countries, one of Mexico's grilled staples are alambres (or pinchos) de carne, which essentially are beef skewers. It is considered a traditional dish in Mexican culture. Although kabobs is a popular street food in the Middle East, in Mexico we like it too.

While everyone has their own version of beef kabobs, these have a different flavor profile. They are usually made with chopped onions and bell peppers to accompany the meat on skewers.

When I make these at home for my family, I like to make them with onions, green peppers, bacon, and beef. Very simple!

Everyone, especially my son, loves this recipe for Mexican beef kabobs. They are tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious. What's not to love?

Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Beef Kabobs

Before I share this recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked and wanted to answer.

What's the best kind of meat to use for beef kabobs recipe?

I've found that for this recipe, it's better to use a tender cut, like beef tenderloin or rib eye since these are some of the finest cuts of meat from the cow that render softer, juicier, and flavorful bites.

Can I use another protein for these kabobs?

Yes! If you can't kind the cut of beef you like or prefer to use another protein, you can swap out the beef to make chicken, shrimp, or pork kabobs.

For a vegetarian option, completely omit the beef and just use different chopped vegetables. My favorite grilled veggies (besides onions and bell peppers) are:

• Zucchini
• Yellow Squash
• Mushrooms
• Corn

Do I have to grill these alambres de carne?

I prefer to grill them. I think they taste the best!

Beef kabobs are really easy to prepare and we love to grill them on our small cast iron Hibachi grill. But, if you have a gas grill outsides, the results are still delicious.

I sometimes prepare them indoors on my stovetop cast iron grill. I live in an apartment and grilling outdoors is one of the things that we miss the most.

You can also try cooking them in the oven, but they might dry out faster. So, I would recommend keeping an eye on them.

How do I avoid burning the veggies while cooking the kabobs on the grill?

This is a great question! The first thing I try to do is make sure I cut the beef and vegetables as close as I can to the same size so they all cook at the same rate.

I also try to rotate the skewers when I am cooking them on my grill. That way, they will all cook more evenly. And, if some of the edges are getting too crispy, then you can simply move those pieces over to one side or the other for less time on that area of the grill.

Authentic Mexican Beef Alambres

Alambres de carne are one of my favorite Mexican dishes because it's simple, flavorful, and easy to make!

Here are the ingredients you need to make this dish:

• Ribeye (cubed)
• Vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper
• White onion (cubed)
• Red and green bell pepper (cubed)
• Bacon

You'll also need a few large metal or wooden skewers to put the kabobs together.

Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

Cooking Tips:

• To season these with something other than salt and pepper, add a few dashes of cumin (just a sprinkle), Mexican oregano, and chili powder.
• If you use the wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least half an hour to prevent burning the edges. If not, cover the edges of the skewer with aluminum foil.
• Don't have skewers? Cook all of the ingredients in a cast-iron skillet over the grill to make tacos de alambre.

How To Make Beef Kabobs On The Grill

To make things easier for you, I am going to break down the directions to this beef kabobs recipe into sections.

Tip: Before you start cooking, make sure to preheat the grill and lightly oil the grates.

Prep and Season Ingredients

• Start by cubing the meat and veggies into even pieces. Make sure they are all separate so it is easy to assemble the skewers.
• Place the beef cubes into a medium-sized bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss with the vegetable oil.

Assemble The Alambres

• To start making the kabobs, thread the meat and vegetables onto the skewers, following this pattern: Start first with the onion, then the green pepper, bacon, meat, red pepper, and onion.
• Repeat until all the meat has been placed onto the skewers.

Tip: If you have leftover veggies, sav them to roast another day with some grilled carne asada to make homemade fajitas!

Grill And Serve!

• Place the prepped beef skewers on the grill and cook until golden brown, at least 3 minutes per side.
• Remove from grill, cover with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

What To Serve With Pinchos De Carne

Whenever I make these at home, we love to eat them with homemade flour tortillas along with a few side dishes like:

• Creamy habanero guacamole (or regular chunky guacamole)
• Grilled nopales
• Spicy salsa (like this piquin pepper salsa and habanero tomatillo salsa)
• Mexican rice

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for beef kabobs, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

• Instant Pot Red Mexican Barbacoa
• Beef Birria Recipe
• Steak Ranchero
• Red Wine Beef Stew
• Bistec Encebollado

I hope you make these Mexican alambres! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely,

📖 Recipe

Alambres Recipe

Mely Martínez

Brochetas or Alambres are our Mexican beef kebabs; they are made with a few ingredients that include onion, green pepper, bacon, and beef. They are really easy to prepare and we love to grill them on our small cast iron Hibachi grill. But if you have a gas grill the results are still delicious.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Antojitos, Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 532 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ lb. rib eye cut into about 1-inch cubes
• ▢ 1 ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
• ▢ Salt and pepper
• ▢ ½ medium size white onion cut into 1-inch cubes
• ▢ 1 green pepper cut into 1-inch cubes.
• ▢ 3 thick slices of bacon cut in 1-inch pieces.
• ▢ 1 red pepper cut into 1-inch cubes.
• ▢ 2 large metal or wooden skewers

Instructions

 

• Place meat in a medium size bowl, season with salt and pepper and toss with the vegetable oil.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates.
• Now thread the meat and vegetables onto the skewers, following this pattern: Start first with the onion, then green pepper, bacon, meat, red pepper, and onion. Repeat until all the meat has been placed onto the skewers.
• Place beef skewers on the grill and cook until browned. At least 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill, cover with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with warm tortillas, a spicy salsa, and guacamole.

Notes

• If you use the wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least half an hour to prevent burning the edges or just cover the edges with aluminum foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 6ozCalories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 38gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 644mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1065IUVitamin C: 62.9mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 3.3mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!