Cevapi Beef Kebabs with Ajvar

Balkan-style beef cevapi kebabs with smoked paprika, garlic and a roasted pepper ajvar. Serve with flatbreads, onion and sour cream for a proper loaded kebab plate.

Cevapi Beef Kebabs with Ajvar

Cevapi Beef Kebabs with Ajvar

🔥 Medium Prep 40 mins | Cook 35 mins 🍽 Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 750g minced beef
  • 250g minced pork, optional, or use extra beef
  • 5 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 egg
  • 100ml sparkling water
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • For the Ajvar:
  • 4 red peppers
  • 1 aubergine
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 small handful parsley
  • Salt and pepper
  • To Serve:
  • Flatbreads
  • Sliced onion
  • Sour cream or yoghurt
  • Pickled chillies, optional

Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories: 590
  • Protein: 39g
  • Fat: 38g
  • Carbs: 25g

Method

  1. Mix the beef, pork if using, garlic, paprika, bicarbonate of soda, egg, sparkling water, salt and pepper.
  2. Knead by hand until smooth and slightly springy.
  3. Shape into short sausage-style kebabs.
  4. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
  5. Roast or grill the peppers and aubergine until soft and charred.
  6. Peel the peppers, then blend with the aubergine, olive oil, garlic, lemon, parsley, salt and pepper.
  7. Cook the cevapi over a hot grill, BBQ or griddle for 10 to 12 minutes, turning often.
  8. Serve with flatbreads, ajvar, onion and sour cream.

Notes

The sparkling water and bicarbonate help give cevapi their springy, tender texture. Chilling the shaped kebabs makes them easier to grill.