Cevapi

5 from 6 votes

Crispy on the outside and incredibly tender and juicy 💦 on the inside, cevapi are are Balkan staple for a reason. These little sausages are made with a simple blend of spices and a hefty portion of garlic 🧄, giving them their distinct savory and garlicky flavor.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Resting Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Balkan

Keyword: cevapi, griled meat, Kebapche, meatballs

Servings: Cevapi

Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground beef
1 egg optional, can leave it out
½ yellow onion grated
5 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1.5 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons sparkling water or beer

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, add the pork, beef, egg (egg is optional), grated onion, garlic, paprika, and salt and pepper. The measurements for the salt and pepper are just a suggestion; measure with your heart.
Note: we don't typically add egg to cevapi but depending on the meat, ill add it in as a binder. If you're egg-free, leave it out completely.
In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and the sparkling water.
Add the baking soda mixture to the meat mixture and, using clean hands, mix well to combine. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Take a large spoonful of the meat mixture and form it into a ball. Then, using your hands, form it into a small log, similar to the shape of a sausage. Mine were 4 inches long.
Place each one on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can freeze them if you wish (instructions in Q&A) or grill them right away.
When you're ready to cook, preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat (400F on the BBQ). Be sure to oil the grill grates prior to cooking.
To cook the cevapi, grill them over medium indirect heat until grill marks appear on all sides. Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which should take about 15-20 minutes. The total cooking time will vary based on the size of the cevapi you have formed.
Remove from the grill, let rest for a few minutes, and enjoy!
Enjoy with: fresh pita, fries, ajvar, kajmak, shopska salad, onions, or any sides you like!

Video

Nutrition