Main Course · Dinner · Eastern European ·

Croatian Ćevapi with Ajvar and Flatbread

Name: Croatian Ćevapi with Ajvar and Flatbread
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 500g ground beef; 250g ground lamb; 1 medium onion, finely grated; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 teaspoon baking soda; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 red bell peppers; 1 eggplant; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Salt to taste; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 cup warm water; 1 tablespoon olive oil

Ćevapi, a traditional Balkan dish, showcases flavorful minced meat sausages paired perfectly with ajvar and soft flatbread.

4.3(973 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 1, 2025

Croatian Ćevapi with Ajvar and Flatbread — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Ćevapi

For the Ajvar

For the Flatbread

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 660 kcal
Protein: 32.8 g
Carbs: 58.8 g
Fat: 34 g
Fiber: 6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3962 kcal
Protein: 196.9 g
Carbs: 352.5 g
Fat: 204.1 g
Fiber: 36.05 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g ground beef	1290	105	0	100	0
250g ground lamb	669	40	0	58	0
1 medium onion, finely grated	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.8
4 cloves garlic, minced	18	0.8	4	0	0.3
1 tablespoon paprika	19	1	4	0.9	2
1 teaspoon baking soda	0	0	0	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 red bell peppers	50	2	12	0.5	4
1 eggplant	132	5	32	0.8	14
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0.4	2	0	0.15
2 tablespoons olive oil	238	0	0	27	0
1 tablespoon lemon juice	4	0	1	0	0.1
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
3 cups all-purpose flour	1365	39	285	4	12
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
2 teaspoons active dry yeast	21	2.5	2.5	0.3	1.7
1 cup warm water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon olive oil	119	0	0	13.5	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Ćevapi

1
Combine ingredients
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground lamb, onion, garlic, paprika, baking soda, salt, and pepper.
Tip: Allow the meat to marinate overnight to enhance the flavors.
2
Mix well
Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Preparing the Ajvar

1
Roast vegetables
Roast the red bell peppers and eggplant under a grill until the skin is charred.
2
Peel and deseed
Let them cool, peel the skin, and remove seeds.
3
Blend ajvar
Blend them with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Adjust salt to taste.
Tip: Ensure that you remove all seeds and skins from the roasted vegetables for a smooth ajvar. Ajvar tastes even better the next day, so prepare it ahead of time if possible.

How to Make Croatian Ćevapi with Ajvar and Flatbread

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Shape the Ćevapi
Roll the meat mixture into finger-sized sausages.
2
Grill the Ćevapi
Cook on a preheated grill or skillet until they are browned and cooked through.
3
Cook the Flatbread
Mix all flatbread ingredients, let rise, then divide and cook on a hot skillet until golden on both sides.