Ćevapi (Serbian Grilled Minced Meat Sausages)
Local name: ћевапи
In short: Finger-shaped sausages of beef and pork with garlic and sparkling water, rested overnight, then grilled until charred outside and juicy inside. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Ćevapi are the everyday grill food of Serbia, sold by the portion in grill houses, at roadside stands and at every festival. The mixture is just minced beef and pork, garlic, salt and a splash of sparkling water, but it needs a long rest in the fridge so the meat turns sticky and the flavors settle. On a hot grill the small rolls char outside and stay tender within. Serve them in soft flatbread with raw chopped onion.
Instructions
- Put both meats in a large bowl with the garlic, salt, pepper and baking soda. Knead with wet hands for 5 minutes, adding the sparkling water a spoonful at a time, until the mixture is sticky and paste-like.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. The rest lets the salt firm up the meat so the ćevapi hold their shape on the grill.
- With wet hands, roll about 2 tablespoons (40 g) of the mixture into a finger shape 7 cm (3 in) long and 2 cm (3/4 in) thick. Set them on a tray without touching.
- Heat a charcoal grill or heavy grill pan until very hot, then brush the grates lightly with oil.
- Grill the ćevapi for about 10 minutes in total, turning them every 2 to 3 minutes, until browned with charred spots and the center reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Warm the flatbreads on the grill for 20 seconds per side. Serve the ćevapi at once in the bread with chopped onion, kajmak and ajvar.
Tips
- Cold still water works if you have no sparkling water. Keep the meat and the water cold so the fat stays firm and the ćevapi stay tender.
- Without a grill, cook them under a very hot broiler 8 cm (3 in) from the element for about 4 minutes per side, or in a cast-iron pan with a little oil.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze ćevapi?
Yes. Shape the rolls, freeze them on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Grill from frozen over medium heat, adding 2 minutes per side, until the center reaches 71°C (160°F).
What is the difference between ćevapi and pljeskavica?
Both are seasoned minced meat. Ćevapi are small, dense finger rolls with a springy bite, while pljeskavica is one large flat patty with onion mixed in and a looser texture.
What do you serve with ćevapi?
Serbs eat them in soft flatbread with raw chopped onion, kajmak and ajvar, sometimes with fries. A simple tomato and cucumber salad goes well too.
How long does it take to make Ćevapi (Serbian Grilled Minced Meat Sausages)?
About 35 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ćevapi (Serbian Grilled Minced Meat Sausages)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
