Kebapcheta (Bulgarian Grilled Spiced Meat Rolls)
Local name: Кебапчета
In short: Oblong rolls of ground pork and beef seasoned with cumin, salt and pepper, rested to firm up and grilled over hot coals until charred and juicy. It takes about 37 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 37 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Kebapcheta are the grilled meat rolls Bulgarians cook at every barbecue and eat at every roadside grill. The mix is simple: ground pork and beef, salt, cumin and pepper, worked until sticky and left to rest so the flavors settle. Shaped into short fingers, they char quickly over hot coals and stay juicy inside. Serve with shopska salad, fries and cold beer.
Instructions
- Put both meats, the salt, cumin, pepper and paprika in a large bowl. Add the sparkling water a little at a time and knead for 5 minutes until the mixture is sticky and holds together.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, so the flavors develop and the mixture firms up.
- With wet hands, shape portions of about 60 g into fingers 8 cm (3 in) long and 3 cm (1 1/4 in) thick. Chill for 20 minutes if they feel soft.
- Heat a charcoal grill until the coals are covered in white ash, or heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Oil the grate.
- Grill for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until evenly browned and the center reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Rest for 3 minutes and serve hot with bread, shopska salad and fries.
Tips
- Kneading with a little cold water makes the mixture sticky, so the rolls hold their shape without egg or breadcrumbs. Do not skip the long rest.
- No grill? Cook them in a heavy cast-iron skillet or under a very hot broiler, and add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky note.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between kebapche and kyufte?
Kebapche is an oblong roll of plain seasoned meat, without onion or bread. Kyufte is a round, flat patty that usually contains onion and sometimes bread.
Can I freeze kebapcheta?
Yes. Freeze the shaped rolls on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Grill them from partly thawed.
Can I make kebapcheta with one kind of meat?
Yes. Pork is common on its own, and beef adds firmness. An all-beef mixture needs some added fat to stay juicy.
How long does it take to make Kebapcheta (Bulgarian Grilled Spiced Meat Rolls)?
About 37 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kebapcheta (Bulgarian Grilled Spiced Meat Rolls)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
