Turkey Cevapi

A bowl lined with newspaper holds several grilled, golden-brown sausages or meat rolls, garnished with fresh parsley and bathed in warm, natural sunlight.

5 from 1 vote

Light, juicy, and full of Balkan flavor, these turkey ćevapi are a healthier twist on the classic. Macro-friendly, easy to make, and anything but dry—perfect for grilling season or weeknight dinners. Swap in any ground meat if turkey’s not your vibe!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Balkan

Keyword: cevapi, griled meat, turkey

Servings: cevapi

Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

454 grams ground turkey chicken, pork, or any meat will work
1 small onion grated
3 garlic cloves minced
½ teaspoon salt to taste
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon baking soda
1.5 tablespoons sparkling water

Instructions

To a bowl, add the ground turkey (or chicken), grated onion, garlic, and spices.
Dissolve the baking soda in the sparkling water (it should fizzle). Add it in and mix well.
Cover and let it sit overnight (or at least a few hours). Take a spoonful, shape into balls, then small logs to resemble the shape of “cevapi.”
Place on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Note: You can also flash freeze these, add to a freezer bag and use any time.
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 minutes. The total cooking time will vary based on the size of the cevapi you have formed.

Video

Notes

Meats: You can make traditional cevapi with a mix of ground beef and ground pork. You could also use ground lamb or even ground chicken for a lighter version.
Spices: To make the Bulgarian kebapcheta version, add a teaspoon of ground cumin.
Sparkling water substitute: For even more flavor, replace the sparkling water with your favorite beer.
Herbs: Add in some fresh chopped herbs like mint or parsley for added brightness.
Healthy Fats: If your turkey is too lean, add in fats like grated butter, olive oil, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt or ricotta for added moisture.

Nutrition