Balkan Ćevapi
Family BBQs in the US might evoke thoughts of hamburgers and hot dogs, but in the Balkans, family BBQs involve ćevapi. You might eat five or ten of these thumb-shaped meat thingies in a sitting, usually with somun, or lepinja—a fluffy, triple-rise flatbread made out of milk; kajmak, a Balkan clotted cream; ajvar, a red pepper spread; sliced sweet onions; and a shepherd’s salad. Ćevapi also freeze well uncooked.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
1¼ pounds (565 g) ground beef (90 percent lean if possible)
12 ounces (340 g) ground lamb
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons bread crumbs
3 tablespoons cold water
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¾ teaspoon baking soda
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Remove the meat from the refrigerator and form into finger-length sausages; they should be as thick as your thumb.
- Grill them over medium heat on a hot grill for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning them several times, until they are brown on all sides and cooked through. (A charcoal grill is recommended for the smoky flavor, but any grill or grill pan will work.)
- Serve them hot, right from the grill.
Tag us on Instagram @balkanbitesnyc and let us know what you think! This delicious meal pairs perfectly with our savory Burek. Head on over to our Shop to order some Burek for the perfect feast,
Balkan Bites is a female and family owned business that specializes in wholesome Southeast European comfort foods such as Burek, a flaky stuffed phyllo swirl. With our dedication to premium ingredients and authentic recipes, we aim to make our cuisine accessible to all.
