With these recipes for meat sticks, you will travel to the Balkans in one bite

Up to three types of meat in one recipe for čevačič, that’s straight music to the ears of all meat lovers!

But beware, we haven’t forgotten about loyal fans of meat-free meals and have prepared a tofu version of this dish for you.

You won’t be surprised how quickly this delicacy will disappear from your plate!

Bon apetite!

Serbian grilled chevabčići

Bursting with smoky flavor, these South Eastern European grilled meatballs are perfect with fresh bread and chopped onions.

What will we need

1. 450 g of ground beef
2. 200 g of minced pork
3. 3 cloves of garlic
4. 2 teaspoons of salt
5. A teaspoon of paprika
6. A teaspoon of baking soda

Method

1. Let’s prepare a big bowl
2. We place all the necessary ingredients in it and mix them together
3. With the help of a tablespoon, scoop up the meat mixture and shape into patties about 7 centimeters in size
4. Spread all the created chevabčići in one layer on a plate and cover them with food foil
5. We then transfer it to the fridge and let the chevabčiči rest for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight
6. When the chevabčići are sufficiently rested, preheat the oven to 200 degrees in the grill mode
7. Place the meat skewers on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and place in the oven
8. Grill them on each side for approximately 4-5 minutes until golden
9. Serve the finished čevabčiči with chopped onion and bread

Bosnian meat sticks made of lamb

This simple recipe has a rich culinary history. It is believed to have been brought to Bosnia by the Ottoman Empire, which was present in the Balkan region for almost 500 years. Therefore, do not hesitate to try this time-tested recipe for chevabčići with fluffy Turkish bread.

What will we need

On Čevabčič

1. 600 g of ground beef
2. 300 g of minced lamb
3. 3 cloves of garlic (pressed)
4. Teaspoon of salt
5. A teaspoon of pepper

For pita bread

1. 2 teaspoons of dry yeast
2. 500 g plain flour
3. 2 teaspoons of salt
4. A spoonful of olive oil

Method

1. Mix salt, beef and lamb in a large bowl
2. We work the meat together well so that it comes together evenly
3. Cover the processed meat with foil and let it rest overnight in the refrigerator
4. In the meantime, prepare the pita bread
5. Mix the yeast with 300 ml of warm water in a large bowl
6. Let the yeast rest for 5 minutes until the leaven rises and then add the flour, salt and oil
7. Work the mixture into a soft dough
8. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead it until the dough is soft, smooth and elastic
9. When the dough is ready, put it in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a tea towel
10. Let the dough rest for at least an hour to rise
11. Preheat the oven to 200-220 degrees and place the tray in the center of the oven
12. We make 8 balls of the same size from the dough, which we flatten with the palm of our hands and then roll into flat cakes about 20 centimeters in size
13. Take the heated tray out of the oven, flour it and place the rolled out dough on it
14. Quickly return it to the oven and bake for 4-5 minutes until the pastry puffs up and turns golden
15. On the second day, add garlic and pepper to the meat
16. With wet hands, start shaping the meat mixture into sticks about the size of your index finger
17. We wet our hands before each new block so that the mixture does not stick to them
18. Preheat a frying pan to medium heat and let the oil heat up
19. We begin to gradually fry the shaped chevabčiči in the pan from all sides
20. We serve them with prepared homemade Turkish bread and freshly chopped onions

Chevabchichi in Turkish pita bread

Baguette topped with homemade meat sticks from three types of meat, sour cream and pungent fresh onion=a delicious combination. And it is even better in combination with homemade ajvar, which you can find at the end of the list of our recipes.

What will we need

1. 680 g of minced pork
2. 450 g of ground beef
3. 230 g of minced lamb
4. White
5. 2 teaspoons of pepper
6. 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
7. 4 cloves of garlic
8. Teaspoon of salt
9. A teaspoon of baking soda
10. Onion (finely chopped)
11. A teaspoon of paprika
12. 4 pieces of white bread

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, lamb and pork together with the egg white
2. Add garlic, salt, soda, both peppers and paprika
3. Mix everything together with your hands so that the ingredients are evenly combined
4. We form thicker sticks from the meat mixture and place them on a plate
5. Cover them with cling film and put them in the fridge for 1 hour to let the flavors develop
6. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees on grill mode
7. Line a baking sheet with baking paper or coat it with oil
8. Place the čevabčiči on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30 minutes
9. Ready-made meat sticks are served in our chosen white bread, sprinkled with fresh onions, poured with sour cream, topped with tomatoes or homemade ajvar

Bulgarian grilled meat kebab

In Bulgaria you can find it under the name kebapche. They are delicious kebabs made from different types of meat. You don’t have to worry if you don’t have enough beef at home. You can make this recipe for Bulgarian chevabchichi exclusively with pork or lamb. The only essentials for this recipe are salt, pepper and cumin.

What will we need

1. 500 g of minced pork
2. 450 g of ground beef
3. A teaspoon of ground cumin
4. 25 ml of dark beer
5. Egg
6. Salt
7. Pepper

Method

1. Mix ground pork and beef in a bowl
2. Add cumin, salt, pepper and beer
3. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add them to the meat
4. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are combined
5. Let the meat prepared in this way rest for at least 1 hour
6. We will then start shaping the meat mixture into sticks
7. Heat a frying pan with oil to a medium temperature and start to fry the individual chevabčići gradually
8. Fry the sticks for 7 minutes on each side so that they are golden on all sides

Croatian chevabčići with chili

This recipe is probably the best and easiest homemade meatloaf recipe I know. Easy to prepare, incredibly hearty and delicious. Everyone who tasted them licked their ears.

What will we need

1. 500 g of ground beef
2. 250 g of ground pork
3. 150 g of onion
4. 6 cloves of garlic
5. A teaspoon of baking soda
6. 3 teaspoons of chili
7. 3 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
8. A pinch of pepper
9. A spoonful of sweet paprika
10. 2 spoons of hot pepper
11. ½ teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
12. Pinch of salt
13. 15 ml of water
14. ¾ spoon of vegetables
15. 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs

Method

1. Put the minced meat in a large bowl
2. Finely chop the onion and grate or press the garlic
3. Add them to the bowl with the meat
4. Next, add chopped parsley, all the peppers, baking soda, breadcrumbs, water, herbs, salt and pepper
5. We work it into a uniform dough by hand
6. Cover the bowl with cling film and let it rest in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours
7. We then shape the meat mixture into sticks of 7-10 centimeters in size
8. In a hot pan with oil, then grill the individual pieces, turning constantly, for 12-14 minutes
9. Chevabčiči must be golden and well cooked

Vegetarian tofu chevabčići

Are you a fan of meat-free meals? Our vegetarian and vegan versions of our popular meat pairings are tailored exactly to your needs.

What will we need

1. 500 g tofu (roughly grated)
2. Red bell pepper (finely chopped)
3. 100 g breadcrumbs
4. 2 small onions (finely chopped)
5. 3 eggs
6. 4 mushrooms (finely chopped)
7. 1 spoon of smoked paprika
8. Salt
9. Pepper
10. A spoonful of parsley
11. A tablespoon of coconut oil

Method

1. Place all the necessary ingredients in a bowl
2. Mix everything together and make a uniform dough
3. We then form sticks the size of an index finger from the dough
4. Then we heat the pan to a medium temperature and add the coconut oil
5. When the oil is melted, we start frying the individual sticks one by one
6. Fry the čevabčiči evenly on all sides so that they are crispy

Ajvar sauce

Get ready to fall in love with the combination of grilled red peppers and grilled eggplant. Just one bite and you’ll want to serve this Serbian sauce on everything from bread to meat and even vegetables!

What will we need

1. 4 large red peppers
2. A medium-sized eggplant
3. 30 ml of olive oil
4. 2 cloves of garlic
5. 2 teaspoons of white vinegar
6. Salt
7. Pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees
2. Line an oven tray with baking paper
3. Cut the eggplant into large pieces and place on a baking sheet
4. Add a red pepper cut in half to it
5. Place the tray in the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes so that the peppers turn black
6. Then we take out the vegetables, place them in a large bowl and cover it with foil or a plastic bag
7. Leave the vegetables aside for 20 minutes
8. After cooling, remove the skins from the eggplant and peppers and remove the seeds from the peppers
9. Place the pepper and eggplant in a food processor and add the garlic, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper
10. Mix until the ajvar is smooth
11. Transfer the resulting sauce to a saucepan
12. Cook it in a pot at a low temperature until it thickens
13. Taste the sauce and season according to your preferences
14. Remove from heat and let cool before serving

Balkan cuisine is very diverse in its essence. The cuisine in this region is shaped by several influences, especially European and West-Asian.

As a result of migration, Balkan cuisine spread even further west to Europe and it is possible to taste it, for example, in Vienna or in Germany, where typical Roma restaurants are also open, which have enjoyed high popularity for a long time.

If you would like to try other similar recipes, look for inspiration in these minced meat recipes .