Ćevapi (Croatian Grilled Minced Meat Fingers)
In short: Small garlicky fingers of beef and pork mince grilled until charred and juicy, tucked into soft flatbread with raw onion and red pepper relish. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 590 kcal
Ćevapi, also called ćevapčići, are small skinless sausages of ground meat and one of the most popular grilled foods in Croatia. They are sold at grill stands, cookouts and roadside stops, usually five or ten to a plate, with soft flatbread, chopped raw onion and ajvar, a roasted red pepper relish. The mixture is simple, but resting it overnight and working it until sticky makes them juicy.
Instructions
- Combine the beef, pork, garlic, salt, pepper and baking soda in a large bowl. Add the sparkling water and knead with your hands for 5 minutes, until the mixture turns pale and sticky.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the flavors set and the mixture firms up.
- With wet hands, shape the mixture into about 20 small fingers, each 9 cm (3 1/2 in) long and 2 cm (3/4 in) thick.
- Heat a grill or heavy grill pan over medium-high heat and oil the grate. Grill the ćevapi for 10 to 12 minutes, turning often, until browned and cooked through at 71°C (160°F).
- Warm the flatbreads on the grill for 30 seconds per side. Serve the ćevapi inside or beside the flatbreads, with chopped raw onion and ajvar.
Tips
- Use ground meat with about 20% fat and knead it until it turns sticky and pale, which builds the bind. The baking soda and sparkling water make the ćevapi tender and springy.
- No grill? Use a heavy cast-iron grill pan, or cook them on a rack under a hot broiler for about 12 minutes, turning once. Sour cream or kajmak, a soft clotted cream, goes well on the side.
Questions and answers
What meat is used for ćevapi?
In Croatia usually a mix of beef and pork, sometimes with lamb. Beef alone works but needs some fat, so choose mince with about 20% fat.
Can I make ćevapi ahead?
Yes. Shape and chill them up to a day ahead, or freeze them raw for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before grilling.
What do you serve with ćevapi?
Soft flatbread, chopped raw onion, ajvar and sour cream or kajmak are the standard. Fries and a tomato and cucumber salad are also common.
How long does it take to make Ćevapi (Croatian Grilled Minced Meat Fingers)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ćevapi (Croatian Grilled Minced Meat Fingers)?
About 590 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 590 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
