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Cevapcici served with ajvar and bread
Authentic Balkan Cevapcici made from grilled meat

Cevapcici

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
The undisputed grill king of the Balkan Peninsula. Cevapcici (or Ćevapi) are small, skinless sausages whose secret lies not in complex seasoning, but in handling the meat. The mix of beef and pork must be kneaded for a long time, then rested, so the texture becomes springy and rubbery (in the good sense!), rather than a crumbly meatball. Soda bicarbonate is the secret weapon that makes it loose and juicy.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 450 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Balkan

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large mixing bowl: For kneading.
  • Grill grate or griddle pan: For frying.

Instructions

1 ✓

Crush the garlic and soak in the water, or boil with the water and strain (garlic water). Let cool.

Tip: This way there won't be garlic chunks in the meat that would burn, only the aroma remains.
2 ✓

Put the meats in a bowl. Add the salt, pepper, bicarbonate of soda, and garlic water. Start kneading by hand.

Tip: Under the effect of salt and kneading, the meat becomes sticky. This is a good sign!
3 ✓

Knead intensely for 10-15 minutes. By the end, the mass should be homogeneous and compact.

4 ✓

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, but best overnight.

Tip: During resting, the bicarbonate works and flavours meld.
5 ✓

With oily hands, form finger-thick cylinders, approx. 5-7 cm long.

Tip: Try to squeeze the air out during shaping.
6 ✓

Fry on a hot grill or in a pan until dark brown on all sides (approx. 8-10 minutes).

Tip: Turn continuously so they cook evenly.
7 ✓

Serve with fresh red onion and Ajvar.

Recipe FAQ

Why did it fall apart during cooking?
You didn't knead it long enough. During kneading, meat proteins (myosin) dissolve and act as glue. Knead for at least 10 minutes!
Why use bicarbonate of soda?
It raises the pH of the meat, which aids water retention (juiciness) and browning (Maillard reaction).

Ingredients

  • 500 g Minced beef (fatty)
  • 500 g Minced pork (shoulder)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (crushed, mixed with water)
  • 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
  • 100 ml Sparkling mineral water or plain water
  • 1 tsp Salt (approx. 2% of meat weight)
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 0.5 tsp Paprika (optional, Serbian version excludes it)