Entree: Serbia – Ћевапи Ćevapi (Grilled minced meat sausages)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 1 hr 15 min

Cook 12 min

Additional 1 hr

Total 2 hrs 27 min

Ingredients

- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely grated, approx. 6 oz (170 g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 12 g)
- 1 tsp (5 g) baking soda
- 1 tsp (5 g) fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp (2 g) sweet paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) sparkling water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil (for grilling)
- 4 lepinja or pita breads (about 200 g total) for serving
- 1 large raw onion, thinly sliced, approx. 8 oz (225 g) for serving
- 1/2 cup (120 g) ajvar (roasted pepper relish) or more to taste
- 1/2 cup (120 g) kajmak or full-fat sour cream for serving (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl with the grated onion, minced garlic, baking soda, salt, pepper, paprika (if using), and sparkling water; mix thoroughly by hand until the mixture becomes cohesive and slightly sticky, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to meld flavors.
2. Preheat a grill or cast-iron pan to high; with wet hands shape the meat into small finger-sized cylinders about 3–4 in (7–10 cm) long and 1/2 in (1.5 cm) thick. Brush with vegetable oil and grill 4–6 minutes per side until well browned and cooked through. Rest briefly, then serve hot in lepinja or pita with sliced raw onion, ajvar, and kajmak; garnish with parsley if desired.