Meat and Cheese Skewers (Easy No-Sandwich Lunch Idea)

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Looking for school lunch ideas? These fun and easy cheese and meat kabobs with fruit will have your kids excited to pack their lunchbox. These meat and cheese skewers are loaded with sliced turkey, ham, fruit and cheese. Great for the kid that won’t eat a sandwich!

Three meat and cheese kabobs with grapes and apples in small bowls on the side.

There is something about the start of a new school year that brings excitement and optimism. Perhaps it’s the idea of new teachers, new beginnings and the reunion of friendships. As a kid, I secretly loved the start of the new school year, even if it meant the end of summer.

Lunchtime is always a great way to socialize with those old and new friends at the lunch table. These yummy meat and cheese skewers are healthy, nutritious and perfect for refuel your kid’s bodies and minds for the rest of the school day.

Ingredients for Meat and Cheese Skewers

Here’s the ingredients you’ll need to make these simple, kid-friendly meat and cheese skewers:

Apples – any variety your kids enjoy. You can use Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Cosmic Crisp or Red Delicious.
Grapes – red and green grapes are great. Feel free to use one or both knowing what your kids will eat.
Cheese cubes – you can use any type of cheese your kids enjoy. Colby Jack, Cheddar, White Cheddar or even mozzarella sticks. You can even buy cubed cheese, often found where mozzarella sticks are located.
Deli-sliced Ham – you can buy pre-sliced ham (I recommend a thicker cut), or go to your deli and ask for a thick-cut or “dinner cut” where they can give you thicker slices. Another option would be to purchase a “ham steak” which is a pre-cooked thick slice of ham.
Deli-Sliced Turkey – my son likes smoked turkey, but free free to choose any type of turkey you like. Much like the ham, I recommend getting a thicker cut of turkey, which helps in the assembly process of the skewers.

Fun Variations: Swap the Meat, Cheese and Fruit

As parents, we know the key to getting our kids to actually eat their lunch; choosing items we know they will like and enjoy. Here are some options to choose from to help change things up and get your kids to eat and enjoy their skewers.

Fresh Mango
Fresh pineapple
Cantaloupe or Honeydew melon
Peaches, pears and plums
Dried fruits, like dried apricots, dried mangos, dates and plums
Berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or blackberries
Mozzarella cheese
Pepperjack cheese
White or sharp cheddar
Deli-sliced roast beef
Left-over pork-loin roast
Leftover turkey breast meat
Roast, grilled or rotisserie chicken
Pepperoni or Canadian Bacon
Beef sticks, cut into chunks (Costco has a fantastic option from Greenridge Farms, that are nitrate, nitrite and refined sugar free)

Looking for something new to pack for school lunches? These fun and easy Lunchbox Turkey & Ham Skewers will have your kids jumping for joy at lunch time! Loaded with sliced turkey, ham, fruit and cheese, these will be your kids new lunchbox favorite!

How to Make Meat and Cheese Kabobs (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Slice the turkey and ham into 1″ strips

Simply take out a couple of slices of both the ham and turkey. With a sharp knife, cut the meat into 1″ strips. You’ll then fold the strips “accordion style and begin skewering onto wooden grilling skewers.

Tip: Pre-measure your wooden skewers to make sure they fit into your kid’s lunchbox container. Trim off any rough edges with kitchen shears. You can also find these wooden appetizer skewers on Amazon. They are a medium-size, making them the perfect fit for a lunchbox container.

This recipe is also a great way to use leftover ham that you might have from preparing a holiday spiral ham. Another great leftover ham recipe is our Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup. Check out our recipe for How to Bake a Spiral Ham for more ideas.

Step 2: Rinse grapes and slice apples

This is a great step to get your kids involved. Rinsing and washing the grapes and removing them from the stems. This is an easy job that kids can easily help with. Have them place the washed grapes into bowls or containers.

Slice and chop your apples. I would recommend cutting into slices, then cubing into 1″ pieces, which will help with placing them on the skewers.

Tip: Adding a lemon juice or lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-up) will help prevent the apples from browning after cutting. The citric acid helps keep the apples fresh and the flesh unbrowned.

Step 3: Assemble the Meat and Cheese Skewers

Here’s a simple order to place the meat, cheese and fruit. Getting your kids involved here is a great way to get these done in a flash – and best of all, they will be interested and feel included in making and prepping their lunches. You can place the meat, cheese and fruit in any order, but here’s how we did it:

Alternating Green & Red Grapes
Apple Chunks
Cubed Jack Cheese

Simply alternate meats with the fruits and cheeses onto the wooden skewers. These come together quickly and easily. Best of all, your kids will love assembling these – before you know it, they will be packing their lunches all on their own.

If your kids love snacking on fruit, try my Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip, which is fantastic with apple slices, strawberries, grapes and bananas.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Lunchboxes

To prevent apples from browning, I recommend adding lemon juice or lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up). You can soak the apples in a bowl with the juice or soda for a few minutes before adding them to the skewers.
The skewers can be assembled up to a few days in advance. Store the skewers in the refrigerator in an airtight container or zip-top containers to keep them as fresh as possible.
Feel free to utilize fruits that are in season, and especially those that your kids enjoy. Same goes with the types of cheese and meat that you include.

Are you shopping for ingredients at Target? While you’re there, pick up some of my 30 Best Healthy Target Snacks for some quick and easy healthy snack options.

Not only are these skewers nutritious, they’re a fun, interesting alternative to the same old sandwich or applesauce. They’re a great way to get your kid excited to eat something healthy.

Pack these with some savory crackers, nuts or some crunchy vegetables. Not only will your kid be refueled for the rest of the day, they’ll be excited to enjoy lunch with their friends. Sometimes, the best school memories are made at the cafeteria tables surrounded by your best friends.

Meat and cheese kabobs in a lunchbox container with crackers and milk on the side.

FAQ’s for making Meat and Cheese Skewers:

How do I keep the apples from turning brown?

I recommend soaking the apple chunks in 7-up or Sprite for a few minutes before assembling. The citric acid in the soda will help prevent the apples from turning brown. You can pour lemon juice over the top of the apples.

How long do meat and cheese skewers last in a lunchbox?

When kept in an airtight container, the meat and cheese skewers will last several hours in a lunchbox. I recommend packing with a cold-pack that comes from the freezer to keep the skewers cool and appetizing to kids.

What’s the best cheese for skewers?

The best cheese for these lunchbox skewers is any cheese you know your kid will eat. You can use Colby, Cheddar, Mozzarella, White Cheddar, American or any other cheese you know your child will enjoy. I don’t recommend soft cheeses, as these will quickly become messy and not stay on a skewer.

Can you make cheese and meat kabobs ahead of time?

Yes, meat and cheese kabobs can definitely be made in advance. Wash and cut the fruit, cube the cheese and cut the meats. Get your kids involved, as this is a great way for them to asseble their own lunches. When kept cold and refrigerated in a resealable container the skewers will last 2-3 days after assembling.

Are meat and cheese skewers a healthy lunch?

Yes, these are definitely a healthy choice for a kids (or grown-up!) lunch. The fruit gives the kids much-needed fiber, vitamins and minerals, and the meat and cheese will provide protein to help keep them full and their bodies growing. These are also a great option for kids that don’t like sandwiches or don’t want bread in their lunch.

If you loved these fun and easy meat and cheese skewers, then check out these other kid friendly snack and lunch ideas:

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