Cevapi or Cevapcici Recipe – Croatian Sausages
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
571 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Croatian
Cevapi or Cevapcici Recipe – Croatian Sausages
Description
This Cevapi recipe calls for a blend of ground beef and pork combined with finely chopped onion, grated garlic, and fresh parsley. Three types of paprika—sweet, hot, and smoked—deliver layered seasoning. Baking soda is incorporated to create a distinctive spongy and tender texture that differentiates these sausages from others. Dried breadcrumbs and a splash of water help bind the mixture, while vegetable stock powder adds subtle depth.
The mixture is refrigerated to rest, allowing the flavors to meld before shaping into approximately thumb-thick, 3 to 4 inch-long rolls. These cevapi are typically grilled or pan-cooked until browned and cooked through. Their texture is tender yet slightly springy, with a balanced savory and smoky flavor profile from the spice blend.
Cevapi are often served with flatbread, raw chopped onions, and a red pepper-based condiment like ajvar. They work well as an appetizer or main course and are a staple in Balkan cuisine.
Resting the mixture for one to two hours in the fridge improves the texture and flavor. Using baking soda as directed is key to achieving proper chewiness. The recipe's ground meat ratio and specific paprika amounts create an authentic Croatian taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs ground beef 450 g
- 9 oz ground pork 270 g
- 1 onion about 150 g/ 5.5 oz, larger
- 4 garlic large cloves
- 3 tablespoons parsley chopped
- sweet paprika 1 tablespoon
- hot paprika ½ tablespoon
- sweet smoked paprika ½ teaspoon
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda Note 1
- 2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
- 2-3 tablespoons water
- Vegeta or another vegetable stock powder, ¾ tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
Instructions
- Combine: Place the ground meat in a bowl. Chop the onion very finely and grate the garlic cloves. Add to the bowl. Add the chopped parsley, all sorts of paprika, baking soda, dried breadcrumbs, water, Vegeta, salt, and pepper. Mix well with the hand mixer fitted with the dough hooks.1 lbs ground beef/ 450 g + 9 oz ground pork/ 270 g + 1 larger onion + 4 large garlic cloves + 3 tablespoons chopped parsley + 1 tablespoon sweet paprika + ½ tablespoon hot paprika + ½ teaspoon sweet smoked paprika + ¾ teaspoon baking soda + 2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs + 2-3 tablespoons water + ¾ tablespoon vegeta or another vegetable stock powder + 1 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with cling film/ plastic foil and leave to rest for 1 or 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Shape sausages: Take portions of the meat mixture, about ¼ cup/ 50-55 g portions, and form the cevapi. The rolls should be about as thick as your thumb and about 3-4 inches/ 7-10 cm long. I had 18 sausages. You can easily double the recipe.
- Grill the cevapcici on the hot grill pan or the barbecue for about 12-14 minutes, turning them several times in between, or until brown and cooked through. I checked by cutting one in the middle and then grilling the subsequent batches for the same time.
- Serve hot as suggested above. The cevapcici can be reheated in the oven at 350°F/ 180°C for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Check one; if it is not hot enough, give the sausages a few more minutes.
Notes
- Baking soda is essential for achieving the special spongy texture unique to cevapi.
- Let the meat mixture rest 1-2 hours in the fridge to enhance flavor and texture.
- Shape cevapi about thumb-thick and 3-4 inches long for traditional size.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 571 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 571kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 52g | 104% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 18g | 106% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 170mg | 57% |
| Sodium | 964mg | 40% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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