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Cheeseburger Kebabs: Deconstructed Burger Bites

This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. As always, all opinions and recipes are my own.

Try something different this weekend with Cheeseburger Kebabs — a playful twist on the classic cheeseburger that’s perfect for summer gatherings. Makes 16 kebabs; you can prepare them ahead of time.

Cheeseburger kebabs are served on a white platter on top of lettuce

Grilling season is in full swing, and I’ve shared a few burger recipes already this year. Still, I love reimagining favorites — and these cheeseburger kebabs are one of those ideas that’s as fun as it is delicious.

They’re an excellent option for hosting: easy to prep for a crowd, portable, and versatile. Arrange them on skewers for a playful presentation, then finish on the grill just before serving. Invite friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy.

More grilling recipes we enjoy: Spinach and Feta Burgers / Grilled BBQ Chicken Flatbread / Classic Salmon Burgers / Grilled Peach Bruschetta / BBQ Chicken Burger Bites with Avocado Slaw / Patriotic Strawberry Bruschetta

Prepared burger bites on kebab skewers are laid out on a baking sheet, surrounded by Sprouts ingredients

What do I need to make these deconstructed cheeseburgers?

Note: some links below are affiliate links; I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.

  • Glass bowls for prepping ingredients.
  • Cheese grater (if you don’t buy pre-shredded cheddar).
  • Rimmed sheet pan for staging the kebabs.
  • 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (optional, for even patties).
  • Kebab skewers (soaked in water before grilling).
  • Gas or charcoal grill, or a cast-iron griddle or grill pan for stovetop cooking.
Close up of prepared burgers on a stick, before cooking

How do you make these cheeseburger kebabs?

Prepare the Ingredients

Get everything ready and organized before you start skewering. I like to set ingredients in the order they will be threaded onto the skewer to make assembly quick and efficient.

Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes so wooden skewers won’t burn on the grill.

Chop the onion, measure the pickles, dice the bacon, rinse the tomatoes, and slice the buns. Place a sheet pan at the end of your line to hold completed kebabs while you finish assembly.

Make the Cheeseburger Patties

In a bowl, mix the ground beef with kosher salt and black pepper, then stir in the shredded cheddar. Gently combine by hand — avoid overworking the meat.

Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion 16 small patties. Shape them into rounds and flatten slightly. If you don’t have a scoop, simply estimate even portions by hand.

A woman holds a cooked Cheeseburger Kebabs in her hand

Assemble and Cook the Kebabs

Preheat the grill to about 450°F, or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.

Thread each skewer in this order: bottom bun piece, a piece of bacon, a burger patty (skewer so it sits horizontally), another bacon piece, red onion, a pickle slice, a cherry tomato, more red onion, another bacon piece, and the top bun piece.

Transfer finished kebabs to the sheet pan and repeat until you have 16 skewers.

Grill the kebabs for 2–4 minutes per side, until the patties are cooked through and ingredients are nicely charred. Remove from the grill and serve warm with your favorite condiments.

A bag of Sprouts Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese is highlighted with the entree and dips in the background

What’s the story behind this cheeseburger on a stick recipe?

This idea started as a challenge from my friends at Sprouts Farmers Market to create a summery beef recipe with a fun twist. Sprouts’ ground beef is fresh and made daily by their butchers, and it delivers great flavor and value — ideal for recipes like these kebabs.

I enjoy taking familiar dishes and giving them a small twist so they feel fresh but still comforting. These kebabs keep all the classic cheeseburger elements — cheese, beef, bacon, pickles, tomato, and bun — but present them in a playful, easy-to-share format.

Close up of cooked deconstructed burger bites on skewers, laid out on lettuce

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

  • Make them ahead: You can assemble the kebabs up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate on a sheet pan, then grill them just before serving.
  • Not into beef? Substitute ground turkey or chicken, but monitor cook time and use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
  • Gluten free: Use gluten-free buns or omit the bun pieces.
  • Dairy free: Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
A deconstructed burger on a stick, before eating

Why should I try these kebabs?

These kebabs capture everything I love about a cheeseburger in a bite-sized, grill-friendly format: a juicy seasoned patty studded with cheddar, crispy bacon, sweet grilled onions and charred tomatoes, tangy grilled pickles, and a toasty bun. They’re playful, shareable, and ideal for backyard gatherings.

Overhead image of Cheeseburger Kebabs on a white platter, surrounded by mustard and ketchup

What can I serve alongside these kebabs at a backyard barbecue?

  • No Mayo Potato Salad
  • Sriracha Grilled Chicken Thighs
  • Ramen Noodle and Clementine Salad
  • Easy Broccoli Salad
  • TRISCUIT Crackers Cucumber Bites
  • Melon Fruit Salad
  • Blueberry Strawberry Pound Cake
  • Lavender and Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Pinterest image, showcasing a close up of Cheeseburger Kebabs

Cheeseburger Kebabs

A playful, grill-ready take on the classic cheeseburger: seasoned beef patties mixed with cheddar, skewered with bacon, onion, pickles, tomatoes and bun pieces. Make ahead and crisp on the grill when guests arrive.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Sprouts 80/20 Ground Beef
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup Sprouts Mild Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 red onion, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 16 Bread & Butter Chip Pickles
  • 5 slices bacon, cut into 48 bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 2 whole wheat burger buns, cut into 16 pieces

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Organize ingredients in the order they’ll be skewered. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  2. Chop the red onion and set in a bowl. Measure pickles and tomatoes, slice bacon, and cut the buns.

Make the Cheeseburger Patties

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, salt, and pepper. Add the shredded cheddar and mix gently with your hands until combined.
  2. Using a 2-tablespoon scoop or by hand, form 16 small patties. Round and flatten them slightly.

Assemble and Cook

  1. Preheat grill to 450°F or heat a grill pan over medium-high.
  2. Thread each skewer: bottom bun piece, bacon, burger patty (so it sits horizontally), bacon, red onion, pickle, cherry tomato, more onion, bacon, top bun piece.
  3. Place kebabs on a sheet pan until ready to cook. Grill 2–4 minutes per side, until patties are cooked through. Serve warm with condiments.

Notes

The kebabs can be made up to a day ahead. Assemble on a sheet pan, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, grill until heated through and nicely charred.

Nutrition

Per skewer (approximate): Calories 137 kcal; Carbohydrates 3 g; Protein 8 g; Saturated Fat 4 g; Cholesterol 31 mg; Sodium 341 mg.

Do you like to put a twist on classics, too?

What summery beef recipe would you make with Sprouts ground beef?