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Cevapcici served with ajvar and bread
Authentic Balkan Cevapcici grilled meat

Cevapcici: Balkan Grilled Sausages

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
The undisputed grill king of the Balkan Peninsula. Cevapcici (or Ćevapi) are small, skinless sausages whose secret lies not in complex seasoning but in meat handling. The mixture of beef and pork must be kneaded for a long time, then rested, to create a texture that is springy and bouncy (in a good way!), not crumbly. Baking soda is the secret weapon that keeps them light and juicy.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 450 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Balkan

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large Mixing Bowl: For kneading.
  • Grill Grate or Grill Pan: For cooking.

Instructions

1 ✓

Crush the garlic and soak in water, or boil with water and strain (garlic water). Let cool.

Tip: This prevents garlic bits in the meat from burning, leaving only the aroma.
2 ✓

Place meats in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, baking soda, and garlic water. Start kneading by hand.

Tip: Salt and kneading make the meat sticky. This is a good sign!
3 ✓

Knead vigorously for 10-15 minutes. The mixture should be uniform and compact.

4 ✓

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, preferably overnight.

Tip: Resting allows the baking soda to work and flavors to meld.
5 ✓

With oiled hands, form finger-thick cylinders, about 2-3 inches long.

Tip: Try to press out air during shaping.
6 ✓

Grill on a hot grill or pan until dark brown on all sides (approx. 8-10 minutes).

Tip: Turn continuously for even cooking.
7 ✓

Serve with fresh red onion and Ajvar.

Recipe FAQ

Why did they fall apart while grilling?
You didn't knead long enough. Kneading extracts meat proteins (myosin) acting as glue. Knead for at least 10 minutes!
Why use baking soda?
It raises the pH of the meat, aiding water retention (juiciness) and browning (Maillard reaction).

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef (fatty)
  • 1 lb Ground Pork (shoulder)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (crushed, mixed with water)
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/3 cup Mineral Water (sparkling) or plain water
  • 1 tsp Salt (approx. 2% of meat weight)
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika (optional, absent in Serbian version)