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Meat, European

Pljeskavica with fries

Pljeskavica is a large grilled patty of ground beef and pork, a classic from the Balkans, pan seared until crusty outside and juicy inside. This recipe serves 4, takes 50 minutes, is rated easy, and costs about €2.90 per person. The key is pressing a dent into the center of each patty so it cooks flat instead of puffing up, and squeezing the grated onion dry so the meat stays firm.

Tonight we're making pljeskavica, the big Balkan meat patty, with raw onions and sour cream, plus fries.

Pljeskavica with fries
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.90
Calories per person
740 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Pljeskavica is a thick meat patty, seared hot so it stays juicy inside while getting a good crust outside. The beef and pork combo keeps it tender, and the garlic and paprika season the meat without covering its flavor. You eat it with your hands, split open, piled with crunchy raw onions and a cooling cream.

It's a weeknight dinner that beats the usual burger routine, good for a casual meal with friends outdoors once spring hits, or a slightly festive family dinner. Kids like the plain patty and homemade fries, while adults go for the sharp red onions and the quick kajmak style cream that nails that Balkan flavor without any hard to find ingredients.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground beef 400 g
  • Ground pork 400 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Potatoes 800 g
  • Red onions 2

Pantry

  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Plain cream cheese 100 g
  • Thick sour cream 5 tbsp

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the meats with the grated onion, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.

    Grate the onion and squeeze out the liquid, it adds flavor without making the mix watery.

  2. Shape into 4 large patties about 1.5 cm thick and press a dent into the center of each.

    Wet your hands so the meat doesn't stick.

  3. Cut the potatoes into fries, toss with oil and bake at 220°C. 30 min

    Flip them halfway through cooking.

  4. Sear the patties over high heat in a very hot skillet. 12 min

    Don't press them with the spatula, they'd lose their juices.

  5. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream to mimic kajmak, and serve the patties with sliced onions and the fries.

    Real kajmak is a salty cream, this mix captures the same idea.

Our tips to get it right

  • Handle the ground meat with cold hands and as little mixing as possible, it stays tender instead of turning dense.
  • Let the shaped patties rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking, they cook more evenly that way.
  • Serve the pljeskavica right out of the pan on top of the hot fries, so it stays juicy and the fries soak up some of the meat juices.

The variations

  • Swap the pork for ground lamb for a more traditional Balkan flavor with more punch.
  • For a vegetarian version, swap the meats for mashed red beans and chopped mushrooms shaped into patties and pan seared.
  • For picky kids, shape small round patties like mini burgers, they cook faster and are easy to eat with your hands.

What to serve it with

  • Warm flatbread or pita
  • Cucumber and tomato salad
  • Sparkling water with lemon

Storage

Cooked patties keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can freeze them raw, separated with parchment paper, for up to 2 months. Reheat the patties in a skillet over low heat so they don't dry out, and rebake the fries in the oven to keep them crisp.

Questions about this dish

Can you make pljeskavica with just one kind of meat?

Yes, you can use only ground beef, the patty will be a bit firmer. The pork is mainly there to add extra tenderness.

Can you shape the patties ahead of time?

You can shape them the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Take them out 10 minutes before cooking so the center isn't too cold.

Why do you press a dent into the center of the patty?

The meat shrinks as it cooks, so a flat patty ends up domed in the middle. Pressing a shallow dent with your thumb keeps it flat while cooking.

Can you replace the kajmak mixture with something else?

The cream cheese and sour cream blend in this recipe already mimics kajmak closely. You could also use thick sour cream on its own, a bit runnier but just as fresh tasting.

How long does it take to make a pljeskavica with fries?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a pljeskavica with fries?

About 740 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a pljeskavica with fries cost?

About €2.90 per serving, or €11.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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