Juicy, flavorful, and packed with authentic spices, Cevapcici—also known as Chevops or Yugoslavian Sausages—are a must-try dish that brings the essence of the Balkans to your plate. Made with a perfect blend of ground beef and lamb, these spiced sausages are infused with garlic, paprika, and cumin, then elevated with a splash of sparkling water for an irresistibly tender texture. Shaped into small, finger-sized logs and grilled to perfection, they’re ideal for summer cookouts, family dinners, or a unique twist on your usual BBQ fare. Serve them hot alongside fresh pita bread, tangy ajvar (a roasted red pepper relish), and diced onions for a traditional Serbian-style feast. Ready in under 40 minutes with make-ahead convenience, these cevapcici are a bold, savory treat that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Peel and finely grate the yellow onion, then mince the garlic cloves. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and ground lamb.
Add the grated onion, minced garlic, paprika, ground cumin, baking soda, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture.
Pour in the sparkling water and mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and the mixture feels slightly sticky.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, refrigerate overnight.
After chilling, remove the mixture from the refrigerator. Using your hands, shape it into small sausage-like logs, about 3 inches long and 1 inch thick.
Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.
Cook the cevapcici for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Turn occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Serve the cevapcici hot with traditional accompaniments like pita bread, diced onions, fresh parsley, and ajvar (red pepper relish). Enjoy!
Calories |
1917 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 138.3 g | 177% | |
| Saturated Fat | 55.7 g | 278% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 572 mg | 191% | |
| Sodium | 5488 mg | 239% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23.9 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g | ||
| Protein | 149.4 g | 299% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 198 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 15.7 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 2449 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.