Kafana-Style Cevapi

A beloved Serbian street food, these grilled skinless sausages are made with a simple blend of grass-fed beef and lamb, seasoned and char-grilled without binders or fillers.

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Ingredients

  • 400g grass-fed ground beef (80/20)
  • 200g ground lamb (or additional ground beef)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced to a paste
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Avocado oil for the grill

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What you'll need

Instructions

  1. Combine ground beef, ground lamb, garlic paste, salt, pepper, baking soda, paprika, and cayenne in a bowl. Mix thoroughly; the small amount of baking soda raises the meat's pH, which keeps the ćevapi springy and juicy on the grill.
  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Cold meat shapes more cleanly and holds together better on the grill.
  3. Shape into 8cm-long, 2.5cm-wide cylinders by rolling firmly between your palms. Yield: 16–20 pieces.
  4. Heat a cast-iron grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat. Lightly brush with avocado oil.
  5. Grill ćevapi for 3–4 minutes per side, turning once, until charred outside and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
  6. Let rest for 2 minutes, then serve immediately in lepinja flatbread with diced white onion, kajmak, and ajvar.

FAQ

Why use avocado oil for grilling instead of other vegetable oils?

Avocado oil has a neutral taste, high smoke point, and is extracted without solvents or chemically refined processes, making it a cleaner option over typical seed oils used in many restaurants.

Can the garlic be substituted?

While minced garlic adds depth to the flavor, substituting with powdered garlic may lose some of the natural properties and enzymes found in freshly minced. However, if fresh garlic is unavailable, using a high-quality, additive-free garlic powder as an alternative is acceptable.

Is it necessary to use grass-fed ground beef and lamb?

While not strictly necessary, using grass-fed beef and lamb aligns with clean eating principles by providing higher nutritional value and avoiding hormones or antibiotics used in conventionally raised meats.

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