meat

grilled

everyday

main course

juicy

Balkan

all seasons

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Ćevapčići

Name: Ćevapčići
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 600 g ground beef and pork mix; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 0.5 tsp baking soda; 45 ml cold water or sparkling water; 30 ml vegetable oil for frying

Difficulty

easy

Time

40m

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Ćevapčići, or Csevapcsicsa, is one of the most beloved and well-known dishes of the Balkans, whose aroma instantly evokes memories of holidays. These spicy, grilled or fried minced meat rolls are great in their simplicity. It's a perfect choice for a friendly gathering, a family lunch, or even a quick dinner. Prepare this authentic taste at home and bring the Balkan atmosphere into your kitchen!

ingredients

4 Servings

600 g ground beef and pork mix1 medium onion, finely chopped3 cloves garlic, minced1.5 tsp salt0.5 tsp ground black pepper1 tsp sweet paprika0.5 tsp baking soda45 ml cold water or sparkling water30 ml vegetable oil for frying

Steps

Prepare the Meat

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the ground meat with the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and baking soda. Add the cold water or sparkling water and knead the mixture for at least 5-10 minutes until it becomes sticky and homogeneous. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 2-3 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.

Shape the Ćevapčići

With wet hands, shape the meat mixture into rolls about 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) long and finger-thick. Ensure they are of uniform size for even cooking.

Cook or Grill

Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a little oil, or prepare your grill. Cook the ćevapčići in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, until all sides are nicely golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan or grill to ensure even cooking.

Serve

Serve the freshly cooked ćevapčići immediately. Traditionally, they are served with finely chopped raw onion, ajvar, and soft flatbread. Enjoy your meal!

Extra Tips

► Before shaping, it's worth chilling the meat mixture for at least 30 minutes, or even several hours, to allow the flavors to meld.

► Serve with fresh, finely chopped onion, ajvar, and soft flatbread (lepinja) for the complete experience.

► If you don't have a grill, you can also fry them in a pan over medium heat until all sides are nicely golden brown.

Nutrition

	Per 100g	Per Serving 150g / 5.3 oz
Calories	280 kcal	420 kcal
Protein	22g	33g
Fat	20g	30g
Carbohydrate	3g	4.5g
Fiber	1g	1.5g
Sugar	1g	1.5g

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