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What to Serve With Cevapcici: 15 Best Side Dishes

When serving the savory Balkan dish, cevapcici, accompany it with tailored side dishes to enhance your meal. Embolden the flavors with ajvar, a roasted red pepper relish, and fresh pita bread, which provides a rejuvenating, warm bite. Tzatziki sauce offers a invigorating contrast, while a mixed greens salad adds crisp, light textures. Grilled vegetables bring a nutritious and flavorful component. Additionally, consider sides like rice pilaf, hummus, potato salad, and coleslaw for added variety and appeal. Each of these sides enriches the experience and invites you to explore more delicious pairings that complement cevapcici perfectly. To elevate the meal even further, consider serving specialty side dishes for bone marrow, such as garlic mashed potatoes or a rich risotto. The creamy and indulgent textures of these sides will beautifully complement the bold flavors of the cevapcici. For a complete dining experience, don’t forget to offer a selection of pickled vegetables and a refreshing cucumber salad to cleanse the palate between bites. These thoughtful additions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Ajvar

roasted red pepper spread

Originating in Serbia, Ajvar is a traditional Balkan condiment made from roasted red peppers, eggplant, garlic, and oil.

This flavorful spread often includes onion and garlic, adding depth to its taste. Bell pepper enhances its vibrant color and sweetness.

Ajvar pairs wonderfully with minced meat dishes like cevapcici, offering a rich, smoky complement that elevates the overall dining experience.

Fresh Pita Bread

warm fluffy pita bread

Fresh pita bread is a soft and round flatbread from the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It is an ideal accompaniment to cevapcici. To make sure it's perfect, combine flour, water, yeast, salt, and a pinch of baking soda in a mixing bowl.

This bread is known for its pocket and can be homemade or store-bought. It is best served warm for a delightful experience.

Tzatziki

creamy cucumber yogurt dip

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce made from strained yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs. It is an excellent accompaniment to cevapcici due to its invigorating and creamy nature. Its cool and tangy flavor profile contrasts beautifully with the rich, savory notes of the spiced meat.

This revitalizing dip not only enhances the overall experience but also balances the meal, making each bite more satisfying and well-rounded.

Mixed Greens Salad

fresh and healthy lunch

Complementing the creamy and tangy notes of tzatziki, a mixed greens salad offers a revitalizing side dish that balances the rich flavors of cevapcici with its light and crisp textures.

Featuring fresh greens such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, and kale, the salad gains depth from toppings like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese, while dressings like balsamic vinaigrette enhance its overall appeal.

Grilled Vegetables

healthy and delicious meal

Grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and potatoes, offer a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with the robust taste of cevapcici. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these vegetables enhance their natural sweetness when grilled, gaining a delightful smoky flavor.

Their versatility allows for various seasonings and marinades, making them a delicious and adaptable accompaniment.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

perfect side dish recipe

Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting and rich side dish that perfectly complements the savory flavors of cevapcici. Made by boiling and mashing potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper, they offer a smooth texture.

This classic side dish not only contrasts beautifully with the slightly spiced meat but also soaks up the juices, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Shopska Salad

bulgarian tomato and cucumber

Shopska salad, with its vibrant medley of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers, offers a rejuvenating and colorful contrast to the rich and savory flavors of cevapcici.

Topped with tangy feta cheese and seasoned with salt, olive oil, and vinegar, this traditional Bulgarian salad is both invigorating and visually appealing.

Its crisp vegetables and zesty dressing perfectly complement grilled meats, making it an ideal side dish.

Roasted Potatoes

four word phrase created crunchy roasted potato goodness

Roasted potatoes, seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, offer a delightful combination of a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior, making them an excellent accompaniment to cevapcici.

This versatile side dish is easy to prepare and complements the savory flavors of the meat with its earthy and comforting taste.

Roasted potatoes are a crowd-pleaser, rounding out a hearty and satisfying meal.

Pickled Vegetables

fermented vegetable preservation method

Pickled vegetables provide a tangy and crunchy contrast to the grilled meat, making them a popular and invigorating side dish for cevapcici. Cucumbers, onions, beets, cabbage, and kimchi are common choices, each adding unique flavors.

Fermented in a vinegar or brine solution with herbs and spices, these pickled delights enhance the rich, savory taste of cevapcici, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.

Feta Cheese

feta cheese in salad

Feta cheese, with its tangy and salty flavor, provides a creamy and savory complement to the robust taste of cevapcici. This brined curd cheese, made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk, is rich in calcium, protein, and probiotics.

It enhances digestion and bone health while adding a Mediterranean touch, making it an excellent pairing for cevapcici.

Cucumber Salad

refreshing summer cucumber salad

Cucumber salad is an invigorating and crisp side dish that perfectly complements the robust flavors of cevapcici. Made with sliced cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette dressing, it adds an invigorating contrast to the savory sausages.

This revitalizing salad provides a cooling element to balance the spiciness of the grilled meats. Its simple preparation and fresh ingredients make it an ideal accompaniment.

Rice Pilaf

truffle infused rice pilaf dish

Following the invigorating cucumber salad, rice pilaf offers a hearty and aromatic complement to the savory cevapcici. This flavorful dish is made by sautéing rice with onions and other aromatics, then simmering in broth.

The fluffy and fragrant texture of rice pilaf pairs perfectly with the juicy, grilled meat, adding a comforting and satisfying element to the overall meal experience.

Hummus

chickpea spread with tahini

Hummus is a creamy spread made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It brings a nutty and tangy flavor profile that excellently complements the savory taste of cevapcici.

It's a nutritious choice, packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Serve it as a dip for bread or vegetables to add a rich, creamy element to your meal.

Potato Salad

recipe for classic dish

Building on the flavorful foundation provided by hummus, potato salad offers another delicious and complementary side dish to serve with cevapcici. Made with boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar, this creamy dish can be enhanced with pickles, onions, or celery.

Its tangy dressing balances the rich, savory flavors of cevapcici, ensuring a satisfying and versatile pairing that can be served warm or chilled.

Coleslaw

crunchy cabbage salad side

Coleslaw, with its shredded cabbage and carrots mixed in a tangy, creamy dressing, offers a crunchy and invigorating complement to the rich flavors of cevapcici.

The typical dressing of mayonnaise, vinegar, and seasonings provides a revitalizing contrast.

Coleslaw can be customized with apples, raisins, or nuts for added texture and flavor, making it an ideal side dish for grilled meats.