Pljeskavica

Prep time: 20 minutes (plus overnight chilling)

Cook time: 12 minutes

Total time: 12 hours 32 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Country of Origin: Serbia

Description

A giant Balkan grilled spiced meat patty made from a mix of ground beef and pork, stuffed with urnebes or kajmak cheese.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Served tucked inside lepinja flatbread with kajmak cheese, diced raw onions, and ajvar pepper relish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1/2 lb ground pork

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed fine

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 cup mineral water

• 1/2 cup kajmak or crumbled feta (for stuffing)

• Salt and black pepper

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare Meat Mix: Combine ground beef, pork, garlic, mineral water, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth. Cover and chill overnight.

2. Form Patties: Divide meat into 4 portions. Flatten each portion between parchment paper into thin 8-inch discs.

3. Stuff: Place 2 tbsp kajmak or feta in center of patty, fold disc over to enclose cheese, and seal edges flat again into a large burger patty shape.

4. Grill: Cook patties on high heat charcoal grill or cast iron pan for 5–6 minutes per side.

5. Serve: Place hot patty into split lepinja flatbread with onions and ajvar.

Optional

• Leskovačka Style: Mix finely diced bacon, hot pepper flakes, and garlic into patty meat mix before grilling.

Cooking Tips

• Thin Shaping: Press patties very thin before cooking because meat naturally shrinks and thickens up on the grill.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings)

• Calories: ~520 kcal

• Total Fat: 36g

• Saturated Fat: 16g

• Cholesterol: 130mg

• Sodium: 680mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 3g

• Dietary Fiber: 0g

• Sugars: 0g

• Protein: 44g