Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1243 · Cevapi

Cevapi, and where to source it

Cevapi — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Cevapi Serbian 5best2buy.com

Rest the seasoned meat overnight and knead it until sticky, because that binding is what lets the fingers hold together on the grill without a casing.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min plus overnight rest
Cook12 min
MakesAbout 30 fingers, 5 servings
CuisineSerbian
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 30 servings
ground beef
1.5 lb
24 oz
Source it →
ground lamb
1 lb
16 oz
Source it →
garlic
5 cloves, grated
Source it →
baking soda
1/2 tsp
Source it →
sweet paprika
1 tbsp
Local / market
somun or pita flatbread
5 rounds
Local / market
white onion
2, chopped
12 oz
Source it →
kajmak or clotted cream
1 cup
8 oz
Source it →
salt and black pepper
to taste
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Grill
The Method
  1. Mix beef and lamb with grated garlic, baking soda dissolved in a splash of water, paprika, salt, and pepper. Knead until sticky and smooth.10 min
  2. Cover and rest in the fridge overnight so the meat binds and the flavors set.10 min
  3. Roll into thumb-thick fingers about three inches long.15 min
  4. Grill over high heat, turning, until browned on all sides and just cooked through.12 min
  5. Warm the flatbread on the grill, then serve the cevapi inside with plenty of raw onion and a spoon of kajmak.3 min
The Toolkit

Charcoal grill · Mixing bowl · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Cevapi in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Cevapi? — Yes

Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.

Can you make Cevapi ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.

Is Cevapi gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Cevapi vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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