The Best Skewers for All Your Food-on-a-Stick Needs

Kebabs, satays, brochettes, souvlakia, suya, yakitori…the list of skewered food from around the world is a long one. Many cultures have some tradition of putting bits of meat, seafood, and vegetables on sticks. After all, skewering ingredients is one of the simplest ways of getting food over flame. All you need is, well, a skewer.

To find the best skewer for every purpose, I looked at 11 popular models. Four of the sets were single-use bamboo varieties and seven were made of reusable stainless steel. The shortest skewer was just under 10 inches while the longest was almost 18 inches. After testing, I found that high prices and extra features didn’t always make a skewer better—in fact, it usually meant the opposite. The best skewers were budget-friendly, durable, and ready for anything.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Bamboo Skewers

Good Cook Bamboo Skewers

$7 $5 at Amazon

You’ve seen this style of bamboo skewer before. It’s basically a sharpened dowel rod, a classic no-frills design that just works. You can find countless similar versions online or in your local grocery store, but the Good Cook branded skewers stood out in this lineup because of their affordable price and sturdy build.

The Best Stainless Steel Skewers

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Grilling Skewers

$15 at Amazon View on Webstaurant Store $15 at Oxo

OXO is known for its great design, and these skewers didn’t disappoint. They had a sharp tip that pierced food without ripping it and a flat stem that prevented food from rotating unintentionally. The broad handles provided a place to grip the skewers and could be stacked for tidier storage.

Another Great Set of Stainless Steel Skewers

Norpro Stainless Steel 14-Inch Skewers

$10 at Amazon $10 at Walmart

These straightforward stainless steel skewers may not stand out at first glance, but they outperformed many of the fussier models. They had small looped handles and an unadorned design that meant they could be efficiently loaded up with ingredients. The skewer itself was flat but thin, so it held onto delicate pieces with minimal rotating while cooking.

The Best Budget Stainless Steel Skewers

HONSHEN Stainless Steel Skewers

$16 at Amazon

These skewers were delightfully sharp and lightweight. It was easy to thread on delicate ingredients (even soft peach slices) without tearing them. Their rounded shape ensured fast de-skewering, although it also made the ingredients more susceptible to sliding or rotating during cooking. They were the shortest of the stainless steel options, making them good for smaller grills.

The Tests

• Grilled Chicken and Peach Saltimbocca Skewers Test: I assembled two skewers from each model with bite-sized pieces of chicken, tender peach chunks, and thin prosciutto slices (following this recipe) to see how each handled ingredients of different sizes and textures. To prepare the bamboo skewers, I soaked them in water for a little over an hour before the test.
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers Test: I threaded shrimp onto a pair of skewers (two pairs per model and following this recipe), brushed them with garlic oil, then grilled them over high heat. After cooking, I de-skewered the shrimp into a bowl to toss them with sauce. I soaked the bamboo skewers for about 45 minutes before this test.
• Usability Tests: Throughout testing, I noted any features that made the skewers faster to prepare, whether they were convenient to flip on the grill (using our favorite grill tongs), and if I could de-skewer the food efficiently after cooking. 
• Cleaning and Durability Tests: I hand-washed the stainless steel skewers after each use and evaluated if they were easy to clean and if they displayed signs of staining or buildup. For the bamboo skewers, I watched to see if they burned while on the grill (even after soaking) and if they were sturdy enough to hold as much food as their stainless steel counterparts.

What We Learned

The Pros and Cons of Bamboo Skewers

The bamboo skewers were a downright bargain compared to metal—our winning Good Cook Bamboo Skewers were only about five cents a skewer. They were adaptable to different kinds of dishes, biodegradable, and had sharp tips to effortlessly pierce meat or veggies. Their fibrous texture had more friction than stainless steel, so they naturally provided grip so that food clung onto the stem of the skewer (which prevented rolling or sliding while cooking).

Bamboo did require the extra step of soaking before cooking, though. While most online resources suggested a 30-minute soak, I found that an hour or more was better for slowing down charring on the grill. Having thicker skewers also helped. The DecorRack Natural Bamboo Skewer Sticks were only 2.8 millimeters wide and were more prone to burning, splintering, and breaking than the other bamboo models (which all had an extra millimeter of thickness). While I liked the Good Cook skewers, there are plenty of decent similar versions readily available at most grocery stores. Since bamboo skewers are disposable and often come in bulk sets, they are generally nice to have on hand for camping, parties, and even crafting. Overall, bamboo is a good option for people who don’t skewer enough to get a set of stainless steel skewers (or simply don’t want to deal with storing long, sharp metal rods). 

The Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel Skewers

The stainless steel models ranged from $0.53 (Norpro) to $12.50 (Williams Sonoma) per skewer. Although they were more expensive, stainless steel skewers were always ready to go since they didn’t require soaking. They also tended to be longer, which meant it took fewer of them to skewer up a meal’s worth of food. Stainless steel is almost infinitely reusable as long as they’re kept clean and dry between uses (most of the ones I tested were even dishwasher-safe).

Versatility was a factor for the stainless steel skewers, considering they were designed to be reused. The best ones had flat stems that prevented food from loosely rotating around them as well as tips sharp enough to smoothly pierce food. If the skewers were too broad, they split and tore delicate ingredients. The Williams Sonoma skewers were particularly thick (each one was almost 10 millimeters wide) and shredded several pieces of peach and prosciutto while I was assembling the chicken skewers. Comparatively, the OXO Good Grips Grilling Skewers were 5.8 millimeters wide and had few issues during assembly. 

Length Was Important for Convenience

I preferred skewers that were between 10 and 14 inches in total length. Longer models, like the LANNEY Kebab Skewers (17 inches long), felt unwieldy and hard to manage while cooking—particularly on my relatively small grill. The HONSHEN Stainless Steel Skewers (11.75 inches long) were far easier to move in and out of the hot grilling zones, ensuring even cooking across the entire skewer.

It’s also important to note that the total length of a skewer did not always correlate to its usable length. For each model, I measured its actual skewerable area: I skipped over handles and other obstacles like twists in the metal, then left a margin from the tip/ends as needed. I found that most of the longer skewers had extended handles or other features that greatly reduced their skewerable length. Only about 60% of the 17.5-inch Williams Sonoma skewers were usable, for example, because of their exaggerated handles. Simpler skewers, like those from Norpro, tended to be more efficient since they had fewer features to take up space.

Most Features Were Unnecessary

Not only could extra features take up valuable skewering space, many were only mildly helpful at best—and a hindrance at worst. As I mentioned, the Williams Sonoma skewers had heavy, overstated handles that made them cumbersome and unbalanced when gripped with tongs. Instead of a straight or looped end, the Barebones Cowboy Grill Steel Skewers was shaped like a shepherd’s hook. Their open ends easily caught onto grill grates while turning. Large twists, like the one on the LANNEY skewers, were primarily decorative as they would break up anything I tried to slide over them. In comparison, the OXO skewers had unembellished stems. Their handles were long but flat, which provided a place to hold them securely with tongs or my hands.

The Gefu Stainless Steel Barbecue Skewers and Williams Sonoma models both had food pushers, designed to help de-skewer food after cooking. They worked as intended, easily pushing the food off of the stem. Unfortunately, they were also difficult to clean and were constantly sliding around while I was preparing and cooking with the skewers. Since I had to wait for the skewers to cool slightly before using the pushers anyway, it turned out just as easy to use a fork, tongs, or (shocker) my fingers to push the food off. 

Another problematic feature of the Gefu skewers: double prongs. They were well suited for larger items (like whole shrimp), but not much else. Since the prongs were spaced about an inch apart, it made threading bite-sized pieces of chicken and peach (also about an inch big) awkward. I either had to push the thin prongs together to thread the ingredients onto both (shredding the fragile pieces of peach in the process) or alternate sides, creating a wobbly imbalance. Single-pronged skewers were significantly more versatile, and could just be doubled up for extra support when needed.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Set of Skewers

The best skewers were simply designed. For bamboo, look for skewers that are sturdy and affordable. Avoid unneeded features on stainless steel skewers like food pushers, dramatic twists, and oversized round handles. Metal models with flat stems were better at stabilizing ingredients on the skewer, rather than letting them slide or rotate while cooking. Regardless of the material, the skewers should have a sharp tip for piercing through food. Models that were between 10 and 14 inches in length offered the best control during cooking while still having plenty of skewering space.

Our Favorite Skewers

The Best Bamboo Skewer

Good Cook Bamboo Skewers

$7 $5 at Amazon

What we liked: The Good Cook Bamboo Skewers were excellent examples of simplicity done well. They stood out from the competitors because they were more affordable than the HOPELF ones, sturdier than the DecorRack, and had more usable space than the Weber. With their medium length and thin dowel, they’re as ready for fresh fruit skewers as Lebanese kofta. Since bamboo provides extra friction between the food and the skewer, ingredients were less susceptible to slipping off the end or spinning as I turned them. 

What we didn’t like: Even when soaked with water, bamboo skewers can still burn on the grill. The Good Cook Bamboo Skewers did char more slowly than the thinner DecorRack ones in the chicken test, but still had their exposed ends catch fire and fall off during the shrimp test.

Key Specs

• Skewers per pack: 100
• Material: Bamboo
• Total length: 11.75 inches
• Skewerable length: 10 inches
• Width: 3.9 millimeters
• Care instructions: Soak in water for at least one hour before use; disposable after use

The Best Stainless Steel Skewers

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Grilling Skewers

$15 at Amazon View on Webstaurant Store $15 at Oxo

What we liked: Many of the skewers I tested had handles of varying types, but the OXO were the only ones that were particularly useful. They provided plenty of room to hold the skewer steady while threading food on; plus they could be grabbed with tongs to turn the skewer while cooking. Because of the handles’ length, it also helped stabilize the skewer when it was turned on its side. The tip was sharp enough to slide into meat and fruit without splitting the chunks. At 13 inches in total length, the skewers were long enough to hold a serving or two while still being manageable on and off the grill.

What we didn’t like: It was helpful to be able to grab the broad handles of the OXO skewers with tongs (especially when the grill was crowded), but I had to make sure I had a secure hold or they would slip out of the tongs’ grip. This set is also a bit pricey, especially considering it only comes with six skewers. If you’re an avid skewer-er, you may want two sets so you don’t have to empty and refill them between batches. While the handles do nest for storage, nothing actually holds them in place. You’ll still need to use a rubber band or twine to keep them together.

Key Specs

• Skewers per pack: 6
• Material: Stainless steel
• Total length: 13 inches
• Skewerable length: 8.75 inches
• Width: 5.8 millimeters
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe; a stainless steel cleaner (like Bar Keepers Friend) can be used to scrub off lingering stains or discolorations

Another Great Set of Stainless Steel Skewers

Norpro Stainless Steel 14-Inch Skewers

$10 at Amazon $10 at Walmart

What we liked: If you’re looking for a basic set of skewers that will get the job done without complaint, here they are. Since they were long and could be loaded all the way up to their looped handles, they had the largest percentage of actually skewerable length of the lineup. Their thin and flat shape meant they could hold onto cubes of chicken and peaches without splitting them or letting them rotate while turning.

What we didn’t like: Because the flat stem of the Norpro skewer was so narrow, they could be tricky to hold securely while threading ingredients on, especially when trying to double up (like in the shrimp test). Food tended to slide and spread out a little along its smooth length after a few turns. The skewers also felt less convenient because of how long they were. They could be unwieldy to turn and move with tongs, especially on my small grill. I would be more likely to get the 12-inch version for normal use.

Key Specs

• Skewers per pack: 6
• Material: Stainless steel
• Total length: 14 inches
• Skewerable length: 12.5 inches
• Width: 3.9 millimeters
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

The Best Budget Stainless Steel Skewers

HONSHEN Stainless Steel Skewers

$16 at Amazon

What we liked: These actually cost a few dollars more than the other stainless steel sets, but hear me out: they come in a pack of 30, so they’re actually way more affordable per skewer. It’s cheaper than buying two sets of either the Norpro or the OXO, and you get a lot more skewers, anyway. I loved how light (but sturdy) these skewers were, and they had the sharpest tips of the lineup. Since the skewer itself was so thin, it was a breeze to slide chunks of chicken, soft peaches, and lacy prosciutto slices on and off. They also worked well when used in pairs during the shrimp test to add extra support to delicate items without making large holes. At just under 12 inches long, they were painless to maneuver on and off the grill.

What we didn’t like: These skewers had rounded stems instead of flat ones. I didn’t experience food spinning or slipping off during my testing, but the cylindrical shape of these skewers would make that much more likely (especially for soft fruits or vegetables and ground meat). As I mentioned, the tips were also super sharp; I poked my finger pretty hard when putting shrimp on one of them. Just use caution and keep your digits out of the way of the pointy end (which goes for all of the skewers mentioned!).

Key Specs

• Skewers per pack: 30
• Material: Stainless steel
• Total length: 11.75 inches
• Skewerable length: 10 inches
• Width: 2.3 millimeters
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

The Competition

• HOPELF Natural Bamboo Skewers: These were indistinguishable from the Good Cook skewers and performed just as well. The only difference was the price tag, which was almost double.
• Weber Original Bamboo Skewers: The Weber skewers had square stems, which stopped ingredients from rotating or sliding around while cooking. Unfortunately, they were the shortest of the lineup and had broad paddle-style handles that took up a lot of their length. During grilling, that large section of exposed bamboo dried out and charred faster than it took the crowded skewered food to cook.
• Barebones Cowboy Grill Steel Skewers: These pricey skewers were a tad long and had a rounded square shape that allowed food to spread out along its length. The most inconvenient aspect, though, was the open shepherd’s hook handle on each one that was prone to looping onto grill grates while turning.
• LANNEY Kebab Skewers: I appreciated that these came with a drawstring bag for storage, but the skewers themselves were lacking. They had dull points that tore up peaches and oversized twists below the handle that rendered almost half of the length unusable. A note here: while I only worked with the main 17-inch skewers, the set also came with two bonus 14-inch ones of the same style.
• DecorRack Natural Bamboo Skewer Sticks: The DecorRack skewers came in a whopping 400-pack and were the cheapest option per skewer of the lineup. They were thinner than the other bamboo options, though, so they felt flimsy, splintered easier, and burned faster (even when soaked for the same amount of time).
• Gefu Stainless Steel Barbecue Skewers: The double prongs made threading ingredients onto the skewers finicky and grilling food on all four sides nearly impossible. Combined with the loosely sliding food pusher that often got in the way, these expensive skewers were hard to prep, cook with, and clean. 
• Williams Sonoma Stainless Steel Skewers: At over $12 per skewer ($50 for a pack of four), the Williams Sonoma skewers were the priciest of the lineup. They had long, heavy handles that held onto the heat and made flipping them with grill tongs unwieldy (which was only compounded by the skewers’ 17.5-inch lengths). The food pusher got in the way during threading and was difficult to clean. The skewer itself was almost 10 millimeters wide and ripped up smaller pieces of chicken and peach.

FAQs

What are skewers?

Skewers are long, sharpened rods (usually made of steel or bamboo) that can be used to hold pieces of food together. They’re often used to cook meat and/or vegetables on a grill, over a fire, or above hot coals.

How long do you soak skewers?

Since dry bamboo or wood will burn when exposed to fire, skewers made of those materials should be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking with them. Soaking for an hour or overnight is even better. Even when saturated with water, bamboo skewers that are too thin or are used over high heat can still dry and char; the ends may even burn up or break off. It’s okay if this happens, but it can make the de-skewering process a tad harder.

Can you put wood skewers in the oven?

Yes, you can use either stainless steel or bamboo skewers in the oven. Just be sure to soak bamboo skewers for at least 30 minutes to an hour before starting, and keep a close eye on them during cooking. You can trim off the ends of the bamboo skewers or wrap them in aluminum foil to prevent charring. For broiling or long cook times, we recommend using stainless steel.

Can you put skewers in an air fryer?

Yes! Both stainless steel and bamboo skewers can be used in air fryers. If using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes (an hour is better) to keep them from burning. Trim any excess length and/or cover the ends with aluminum foil for an extra layer of protection while using bamboo skewers. For high heats or long cook times, we recommend finding short stainless steel skewers (6- to 8-inch ones should fit most standard air fryers, but measure your model’s basket first to be sure).

Can you roast marshmallows on a skewer?

Skewers aren't a good option for roasting marshmallows. Most are too short to reach a fire or grill from a comfortable distance. Plus, the metal handles on some skewers will get very hot quickly. A two-pronged marshmallow roasting stick will do the job better.

Why We're the Experts

• Ashlee Redger is a freelancer writer for Serious Eats, who has written numerous reviews for the site.
• Ashlee studied Culinary Nutrition and Research & Development at Johnson & Wales University, and was an intern at America's Test Kitchen.
• For this article, Ashlee tested 11 sets of skewers, using each for two recipes and evaluating them across various metrics.