Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

Table of Contents

The Bosnian Cevapi recipe (or Cevapii) has been popular across the rest of the Balkans for generations. This delicious grilled sausage has strong roots in the history and culture of the region. To make genuine Bosnian Cevapi at home, just follow our step-by-step instructions below. The key to a fantastic Bosnian Cevapi recipe is a balanced assortment of meats. To obtain the optimum taste and texture, Bosnians often combine beef, lamb, and sometimes hog. The chosen meats should first be finely ground. You can have your butcher do it for you if you don’t have a meat grinder. The ground beef should be mixed together in a big basin.

Want more ideas to round-out your Bosnian Recipe Box?
A lot of great options are in these posts!

30 Classic Bosnian Food & Easy Recipes To Follow

Seasoning plays a crucial part in giving the Bosnia Cevapi recipe its signature flavor. Minced garlic, salt, paprika, and black pepper are typical seasoning additions, but you may tailor them to your taste. Make sure the spices are dispersed evenly throughout the ground beef by mixing them in well. The Bosnia Cevapi recipe mixture is held together using breadcrumbs, which also act as a binder, and thinned with water. Mix the meat and seasonings completely before adding the breadcrumbs and water. Add water gradually; adding too much might make the dough excessively wet and unworkable for shaping.

Put the beef mixture in the fridge for at least an hour, and preferably overnight. This process allows the tastes to integrate, making for a more delicious end result. That also gives the breadcrumbs time to soak up the moisture, which is helpful for the gluing process. The next step, when the meat mixture has rested, is to be formed into sausages. To prevent the mixture from adhering to your hands, wet them and roll out little logs between 2 and 3 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. If there are any air bubbles or fissures in the mixture, your Cevapi will likely explode when cooking.

You May Want to Join The World Recipes With Our Big Escape
Share your own recipes in our Facebook Group. Find recipes from all over the world. Learn more about International Cuisine and how you can surprise you family with new and exciting foods from all over the world.

For More Photos Visit Our Instagram at World Recipes Daily – Our Big Escape

Genuine Bosnian Cevapi recipes have a deep, smoky taste since they are roasted over charcoal. Get the coals nice and hot and coated with white ash by lighting your charcoal grill. You can use a gas grill or a griddle on the stovetop if you don’t have access to a charcoal barbecue. Place the Cevapi on the grill grates or griddle once the grill is hot, making sure there is enough room between each one for uniform cooking. For a nice, even sear, grill the sausages for about 5 minutes total, flipping them over halfway through. Cook the Cevapi until they are no longer pink in the middle but are no longer raw on the exterior.

Somun (Bosnian flatbread), chopped onions, ajvar (red pepper relish), and kajmak are the traditional accompaniments to Cevapi. On the other hand, you may eat them with any bread, veggies, and seasonings you choose. Serve the Cevapi with a shot of rakija for a genuine meal (fruit brandy).

The Complete Recipe with Ingredients and Step by Step Instructions is Listed Below

3 Reasons People Love the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

1. Unique and Flavorful Taste: The distinctive and delicious flavor is one of the many reasons why the Bosnian Cevapi dish is so popular. The grilled meat known as cevapi is often a mix of beef, lamb, and sometimes hog. The meat has a rich flavor thanks to a combination of spices including paprika, garlic, and cumin. Flatbread, onions, and sour cream are common accompaniments to the meat since they bring out the best in its taste. Cevapi has won the hearts of foodies all over the globe because to its irresistible flavor.

2. Easy to Prepare: The simplicity of the Bosnia Cevapi recipe is another reason why it is so well-liked. The ingredients list is short, and the instructions for making the dish are simple. Typically, the meat is shaped into little sausages and broiled until done. You may get a head start by prepping the onions and sour cream and warming the flatbread on the grill or in the oven. This dish’s ease of preparation makes it ideal for both everyday use and for hosting guests.

3. Cultural Significance: Lastly, the Bosnian Cevapi dish is well-liked due of its historic and cultural value. Cevapi is a staple food in Bosnia and has been for generations. It’s a staple at parties, celebrations, and celebrations. The dish has become a cultural icon, representing Bosnia and its gastronomic history as much as its wonderful flavor. Cevapi is a method to honor one’s origins and celebrate one’s ancestors’ customs for those with Bosnian ancestry or who have visited Bosnia and fallen in love with the country’s cuisine.

How To Make Our Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

Ingredients (8 Servings)

For the Recipe:

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground lamb
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp baking soda
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup club soda

For Serving:

8 pieces of somun bread (or any flatbread)
1 large onion, sliced
Sour cream

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, salt, black pepper, paprika, and minced garlic. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the baking soda, cold water, and club soda. Then pour this mixture into the meat mixture and mix everything together thoroughly.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

4. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Take the meat mixture out of the refrigerator and shape it into small sausages, about 2-3 inches long.

5. Place the sausages on the grill or grill pan and cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and nicely browned.

6. While the meat is cooking, warm up the somun bread on the grill or in the oven. Cut the bread into smaller pieces, about the same size as the sausages.

7. Serve the cevapi on the warm bread, topped with sliced onions and a dollop of sour cream.

Nutritional Information For the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

Calories: 414
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 102mg
Sodium: 882mg
Potassium: 459mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Pots, Pans, and Cooking Equipment Needed for the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

Large mixing bowl
Plastic wrap
Grill or grill pan
Tongs
Knife
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons

Best Way to Store Leftovers From the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

The leftover cevapi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the cevapi on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Substitutions For the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

Ground beef can be substituted with ground chicken or turkey.
Ground lamb can be substituted with ground pork.
If baking soda is not available, you can use baking powder as a substitute. Use 1 tablespoon of baking powder instead of baking soda.
If club soda is not available, you can use sparkling water as a substitute.

Substitutions For the Vegetarian Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

For a vegetarian version of cevapi, you can use plant-based ground meat substitutes, such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Meat. Follow the same recipe, but substitute the ground beef and lamb with plant-based ground meat. Additionally, instead of serving with meat, you can add roasted vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers and onions.

Tips and Tricks For Easier Creation

Make sure to mix the meat and spice mixture well for a better distribution of the seasoning.
Use cold water and club soda to keep the meat tender and juicy.
Shape the cevapi into small sausages with your hands or a spoon, making them about 2-3 inches long.
If you don’t have a grill or grill pan, you can also cook the cevapi on a stovetop or in the oven.

Side Dishes and Desserts For the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

Ajvar (roasted red pepper spread)
Kajmak (Bosnian cheese spread)
Cabbage salad with vinegar dressing
Tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese
Grilled vegetables

How To Serve the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

To serve Bosnian cevapi, warm up the somun bread on the grill or in the oven. Cut the bread into smaller pieces, about the same size as the sausages. Serve the cevapi on the warm bread, topped with sliced onions and a dollop of sour cream. You can also serve with additional side dishes of your choice.

FAQs About the Bosnian Cevapi Recipe

What is the origin of the Bosnian Cevapi recipe?
Bosnian Cevapi is a traditional dish from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is believed to have originated from the Ottoman Empire and has been a staple of Bosnian cuisine for centuries.

What is the best meat to use for the Bosnian Cevapi recipe?
The traditional recipe calls for a combination of beef and lamb, but some variations may also include pork. The meat should be finely ground and have a good amount of fat to keep it moist and juicy.

Can I make the Bosnia Cevapi recipe without a grill?
Yes, you can make Bosnian Cevapi without a grill. You can cook them on a stovetop or in the oven. However, the grill imparts a unique smoky flavor that is hard to replicate with other cooking methods.

What is the best bread to serve with the Bosnian Cevapi recipe?
The traditional bread to serve with Bosnian Cevapi is somun, which is a soft, chewy flatbread. If somun is not available, you can use pita bread or any other type of flatbread.

Can the Bosnian Cevapi recipe be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze Bosnian Cevapi. After cooking, let them cool to room temperature and then place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then warm them up in the oven or on a grill.

Final Thoughts

I urge everyone to try the Bosnian Cevapi dish, since it has won my heart. I believe it’s worth a go for a few reasons:

The first thing you’ll notice about the Bosnia Cevapi recipe is the exceptional flavor. Spices like paprika and garlic combine with ground beef and lamb to create a gastronomic burst of flavor. Grilling the meat creates a smokey flavor that complements the other flavors.

Second, the Bosnian Cevapi recipe can be made with little effort. There aren’t more than a handful of components needed, and the procedure of making it is simple. This is a terrific dish for hectic weeknights or for entertaining guests since the meat mixture just has to be chilled for 30 minutes before cooking.

Lastly, there’s an added level of satisfaction because of the dish’s cultural importance. This meal is a terrific opportunity to learn about and celebrate the culinary history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s a wonderful way to bring people together, and it’s also a meal that’s often eaten during celebrations and family get-togethers.

I recommend the Bosnian Cevapi recipe to everyone who likes to experiment with new and tasty cuisine. It’s become one of my go-to meals, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you.