A few things to remember when you're visiting Serbia. While the food here tends to be heavy and greasy, you'll still find plenty of fresh vegetables and meat. Unadulterated produce is a common sight here, as pesticides and fertilisers are rarely used. But if you're looking for a unique culinary experience, Serbia is the place to go. There's no shortage of delicious dishes to sample - and they're all incredibly delicious!
Cevapi
Cevapi food and drinks from Serbia are delicious, spicy, and often served with flatbread or sliced onions. While they are traditionally served as street food, cevapi can also be found in some sit-down restaurants. These traditional Bosnian dishes use only humble ingredients and simple spices to enhance their flavor. There are a few ingredients you'll need to master the art of making cevapi, including fresh bread, meat, salt, and pepper.
A dish of Serbian cuisine, Cevap is the national dish of Bosnia and is also popular in Serbia and other Balkan countries. The meatball-like dish is seasoned with salt, onion, and paprika before being grilled over hot coals. Cevapi is the soul of Balkan food and is one of the most popular street foods in the world. If you're traveling to Serbia, make sure to try some of the most popular dishes from the country.
Muckalica
Muckalica is a dish from Serbia that is traditionally made from barbecued meat. There are many variations on the dish, but the most popular version is made with fatty cuts of pork. This stew is seasoned with salt and is often served with a fresh salad and vanilla cookies. To try this dish at home, watch this video and follow the recipe closely. If you have not yet experienced this traditional dish, it is definitely worth the try!
The most common Serbian dish is pljeskavica, or grilled meat. This heavy national dish is made from beef or pork that is patty-like and grilled until it is tender. Then, the meat is stuffed into a flat pita-like bread called lepinja. This dish is best paired with a salad and a side of bread. Several other Serbian dishes are delicious and worth trying.
Rakija
The traditional liquor of Serbia, Rakija, is highly sought-after. Whether drunk with or without food, this alcoholic beverage is full of hospitality and taste. Whether you decide to drink rakija with food or simply sip on a sip, the locals will be happy to share their secrets. Rakija is made from fruit and is available in countless varieties. Many regions have their own variations on this spirit, but there are a few universal rules.
The traditional way to drink rakija is in shot glasses, or cokanj. The drink is not meant to be sipped in one gulp but is instead to be sipped slowly. It is similar to Italian grappa. Serbs often offer guests a shot glass of rakija when they arrive at their home, and it is polite to accept. If you do not wish to drink it, simply decline the offer.
Pljeskavica
The main ingredient in pljeskavica is ground beef. Some versions of this dish include pork or even a combination of both. The proportion of beef and pork is very important, as is the fat content. It is often served with a side salad made from cabbage or onion. In the south, roasted peppers and Olivier salad are often added, as well. The meat dish is a popular wedding food in Serbia, so it is a great choice to take part in a traditional wedding dinner in the country.
Another traditional dish in Serbia is the pljeskavica, a beef patty stuffed into a flat pita-like bread called lepinja. The meat mixture varies from region to region, but the ingredients tend to be similar throughout the country. This traditional dish has received a protected designation of origin from the Institute of Public Diplomacy, so it's worth trying when visiting Serbia.
Prebranac
The delicious Prebranac dish is a popular meal in Serbia. This dish is a great option for vegetarians, as it does not contain meat. The dish is also good for those on a vegan diet, as it is a vegetarian substitute for regular beans. Prebranac is best prepared in clay pots and requires hours of simmering. It is a traditional winter dish that can be reheated and enjoyed for several days.
Salad is a popular dish in Serbia, and is eaten with the main course. It can range in spice from neutral to hot, and is often eaten with bread. Ajvar is worth trying once, and can be bought at any grocery store. Knedle are a popular snack, made of mashed potato dough, and can be found at some specialised stores in Belgrade. In addition to roasted meat, ajvar is a traditional snack in Serbia.
Sarma
Sarma is a traditional Serbian dish. It is a stuffed cabbage made from minced meat and rice. It can be filled with any type of vegetable and served with sour cream. This dish is popular in winter and is traditionally served after an appetizer. Gourmands will love this dish. It is also often served with wine and garlic. It's often served with a side of sauerkraut.
Another popular food dish is the sarma. It's a meat and rice rolled into a cabbage or green leaf. Many people eat it with grapevine and sour cream, but some prefer garlic or sour cream. Other traditional Serbian dishes include the riblja corba (fish stew with tomato juice) and sarma. It's a must-try if you're visiting Serbia!