What is the name of the Middle Eastern grilled meat skewers?

The Middle Eastern grilled meat skewers are called shish kebab.

Shish kebab consists of cubes of meat threaded onto skewers and grilled, traditionally over charcoal. Lamb is the classic meat, although versions made with beef, chicken, or fish are also common. In Turkey, the vegetables served alongside the meat are typically grilled separately rather than placed on the same skewer.

The name combines Turkish şiş, meaning skewer, with kebap, a roasted or cooked meat dish. The broader kebab tradition spans the Middle East and neighboring regions, with many local forms differing in meat, marinade, shape, and cooking method. Shish kebab is therefore one specific variety, not a universal name for every kebab.

Shawarma is usually meat roasted on a rotating vertical spit, while kofta is commonly made from seasoned ground meat shaped around a skewer or into patties. Falafel is a fried chickpea or fava-bean preparation, so it is not grilled meat. In English, “kebab” alone often means shish kebab in North America, but elsewhere it can refer to many different dishes.