Cevapi – Easy Balkan Beef Sausages Recipe
Cevapi are traditional Balkan beef sausages that are easy to make at home. This recipe features a flavorful mix of beef mince, garlic, parsley, and paprika, combined with baking soda to achieve a smooth and springy texture. Grilled or pan-fried to perfection, these sausages are best enjoyed hot with fresh lapinja bread, raw onions, and ajvar spread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Balkan
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 kg beef mince (can be substituted with a mix of beef, lamb, veal, or pork)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ bunch parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Hungarian sweet paprika (or smoky/hot paprika)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Baking Soda Mixture
- 50 ml cold water (or shaved ice)
- 1 tsp baking soda
For Cooking
- 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil for frying/grilling
Instructions
- Mix the Meat Ingredients: Place the beef mince in a large mixing bowl along with minced garlic, chopped parsley, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until roughly combined.
- Dissolve Baking Soda: In a small dish, combine the cold water and baking soda. Stir until the baking soda partially dissolves—it’s normal if it does not dissolve completely.
- Combine and Emulsify: Pour the baking soda mixture into the meat bowl. Massage and mix the meat thoroughly by hand for about 5 minutes. This step is essential to emulsify the mixture, creating the desired smooth and springy texture characteristic of cevapi.
- Shape the Sausages: Take small handfuls of the mixture, first rolling into balls, then shaping into small sausages approximately the width of your hand. Flatten the ends slightly and place them on a plate. For best texture, refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Cook the Cevapi: Heat a charcoal grill or warm vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Cook the cevapi for several minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Slice one in half to check doneness; a slight pink center is acceptable for beef sausages.
- Serve: Serve the hot cevapi with fresh lapinja bread, chopped raw onions, and ajvar spread for an authentic Balkan experience.
Notes
- Using baking soda in the mixture helps emulsify the meat, resulting in a smooth, springy texture.
- Refrigerating the shaped sausages for several hours or overnight improves their texture and flavor.
- Cooking over charcoal grill gives authentic smoky flavor, but pan-frying works well too.
- Cevapi can be made with various combinations of meats such as beef, lamb, veal, or pork according to preference.
- Check doneness by slicing one sausage open; slight pink is acceptable, but avoid undercooking.
Keywords: Cevapi, Balkan sausages, grilled sausages, easy beef sausage recipe, traditional Balkan food, lapinja bread, ajvar
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/cevapi-easy-balkan-beef-sausages-recipe/
