Pljeskavica (Serbian Grilled Meat Patty)
Local name: пљескавица
In short: A large, flat patty of beef and pork with grated onion, garlic and paprika, grilled until juicy and served in warm flatbread with kajmak and ajvar. It takes about 32 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 32 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Pljeskavica is Serbia's answer to the burger, only bigger, thinner and seasoned with grated onion, garlic and paprika. Grill houses sell it by the dozen, and families make it on weekends in the yard. The patty is cooked plain, without cheese or sauces on top, and tucked into a soft round flatbread with chopped raw onion. Chilling the mixture before shaping is the step that keeps it juicy.
Instructions
- Put the beef and pork in a bowl with the grated onion, garlic, salt, pepper and paprika. Add the sparkling water and knead for 3 minutes until the mixture is tacky and holds together.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Cold meat is easier to shape and keeps its fat on the grill.
- Divide the mixture into 4 portions of about 200 g (7 oz). With wet hands, flatten each one into a round 14 cm (5.5 in) across and 1.5 cm (1/2 in) thick, then press a shallow dimple into the center.
- Heat a grill or a heavy pan over medium-high heat and brush the grates or pan with oil.
- Cook the patties for 5 to 6 minutes on the first side, until well browned. Turn once and cook 5 minutes more, until the center reaches 71°C (160°F). Do not press down on them.
- Warm the bread on the grill for a few seconds. Fill each with a pljeskavica, chopped onion, kajmak and ajvar, and serve right away.
Tips
- For a stuffed pljeskavica, seal a spoonful of grated white cheese and chopped ham between two thin patties and cook over medium heat so the center melts without burning the outside.
- No grill? Use a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat with a little oil, or a hot broiler for about 5 minutes per side.
Questions and answers
What is pljeskavica served with?
In Serbia it goes into a lepinja, a soft round flatbread, with chopped raw onion, kajmak and ajvar. Fries and a tomato salad are common on the side.
Can I freeze pljeskavica patties?
Yes. Freeze the raw patties with baking paper between them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before grilling.
How is pljeskavica different from ćevapi?
Both are seasoned minced meat. Ćevapi are small, dense finger rolls, while pljeskavica is one large thin patty with grated onion mixed in, which gives it a looser and juicier bite.
How long does it take to make Pljeskavica (Serbian Grilled Meat Patty)?
About 32 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pljeskavica (Serbian Grilled Meat Patty)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
