Pljeskavica
Pljeskavica is a traditional Balkan grilled meat patty made from a mixture of ground meats and seasoned with various spices. It's often served in a flatbread with fresh vegetables and condiments. This recipe offers a straightforward approach to making this flavorful dish at home.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 35 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 465 kcal
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
- 400 gground beef, lean
- 200 gground pork
- 0.5 pcsyellow onion, grated
- 2 clovegarlic, minced
- 1 tsppaprika, sweet
- 0.5 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tspsalt
- 0.5 tspbaking soda
- 2 tbspwater
- 2 tbspoil, for cooking
Equipment
grater · skillet · large bowl · grill pan
The method
Step by step
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, grated yellow onion, minced garlic, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Ensure all ingredients are well distributed for consistent flavor.
- 2
Dissolve the baking soda in the water and add it to the meat mixture. This helps tenderize the patties.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Do not skip the baking soda, it's key for the traditional texture.
- 3
Mix all ingredients thoroughly by hand for about 5 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly sticky.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Overmixing can make the patties tough, but ensure everything is just combined.
- 4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
About 1 hr
Cook’s note: The longer the rest, the more flavorful and cohesive your patties will be.
- 5
Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a flat, round patty, about 1.5 cm thick and 10-12 cm in diameter.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking while forming the patties.
- 6
Heat the oil in a large skillet or on a grill pan over medium-high heat.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: If grilling, ensure your grill grates are clean and oiled to prevent sticking.
- 7
Cook the pljeskavica patties for 5-7 minutes per side, until deeply browned and cooked through.
About 14 min
Cook’s note: Adjust cooking time based on thickness and desired doneness. The internal temperature should reach 71°C (160°F).
- 8
Serve hot, typically in a lepinja (Balkan flatbread) with chopped onions, ajvar, and kajmak.
Cook’s note: Experiment with your favorite toppings and sauces.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 465kcal
- Protein
- 26.2g
- Carbs
- 4.1g
- Fat
- 38.2g
- Fibre
- 0.8g
- Sugar
- 1.2g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover pljeskavica in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or in a microwave.
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