21+ Pepper Recipes - Balkan Lunch Box

Peppers are the heart of many Balkan dishes! We love them every which way: red, yellow, green, sweet, smoky, roasted, stuffed, pickled, or grilled! This collection brings together the best pepper recipes from our kitchen to yours. Shall we?

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Why You'll Love This Collection

Bursting with Flavor: From smoky roasted reds to tangy pickled greens, these pepper recipes are vibrant, bold, and deeply satisfying.

Balkan to the Core: Every dish is steeped in Balkan tradition—whether it’s a meza spread, a rustic stew, or a pepper-stuffed veggie bake.

Versatile & Seasonal: Perfect for summer BBQs, cozy winter dinners, or meatless Mondays—this collection fits any mood or meal plan.

Quick, Simple, Real: Most of these pepper dishes come together fast, with easy-to-find ingredients and no-fuss prep.

Plays Well With Others: From grilled meats to fresh bread and hearty grains, these pepper-based recipes pair beautifully with everything on your table.

- Roasted Red Pepper in Creamy White Sauce

Smoky, tangy, and rich with creamy flavor—this Roasted Red Pepper White Sauce is a Balkan favorite that takes just minutes to make. Serve it cold with grilled meats or fresh bread, and don’t be surprised when it steals the show.

Try it for your next summer spread!

Pepper sauce in a white bowl on a table and a pepper in the background.

- Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Salad

This Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Salad is smoky, garlicky, and drenched in silky olive oil. It’s one of those simple sides that always disappears first.

Make it once and you’ll find yourself craving it often!

A fork holding red pepper salad above a plate on a marble table.

- Pindjur

Homemade Pindjur is a spreadable mix of red peppers and tomatoes with just the right amount of kick. Spoon it onto bread or grilled meats, or just eat it by the spoonful.

Add this Balkan classic to your condiment rotation!

Sideways photo of pindjur in a bowl with a spoon and vegetables in the background.

- Ajvar

Silky smooth, savory, and a little smoky, Ajvar is the king of Balkan spreads. Made with roasted peppers and eggplant, it’s perfect on bread, next to meats, or stirred into pasta.

Learn how to make it the traditional way!

Ajvar in a jar on a gray background with eggplant and red peppers.

- Shopska Salad

Crisp peppers, juicy tomatoes, and creamy cheese come together in this iconic Shopska Salad. It’s fresh, colorful, and takes just minutes to toss together.

Serve it with everything from grilled meats to your next BBQ spread.

- Classic Satarash

This veggie stir-fry of peppers, onions, and tomatoes is the heart of Balkan summer cooking. Classic Satarash is easy, comforting, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Add an egg or serve with rice for a complete meal.

A white plate full of satarash dish on a white honeycomb table.

- Egg Satarash

Crack a few eggs into your satarash and you’ve got the ultimate savory breakfast. Egg Satarash is veggie-packed, protein-rich, and perfect when you need something quick and satisfying.

Serve with bread and dig in!

A plate with eggs and peppers (satarash) with two halves of integral bread with a fork and two eggs on a dark marble background.

- Djuveč

A one-pot wonder of peppers, rice, and other veggies, Djuveč is the Balkan version of ratatouille. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for using up summer produce.

Serve it warm or cold, solo or as a side.

- Ve ggie Risotto

Creamy rice meets sautéed peppers, onions, and tomatoes in this colorful Veggie Risotto. It’s quick, light, and comes together in one pan.

A great go-to for busy weeknights!

A bowl with risotto and a fork in it and vegetables in the background on a white honeycomb background.

- Eggplant Pepper Beef Bake

This veal and veggie sauce is hearty yet elegant, with silky eggplant and roasted peppers. Eggplant Pepper Beef Bake is slow-cooked comfort at its best.

Serve it with mashed potatoes or pasta and watch it disappear.

Round white casserole sitting on a kitchen towel, containing eggplant, red peppers, garlic and beef scooped on a silver spoon on a light background.

More Recipe Collections We Love

Here are a few recipe collections we go gaga over!

- Chicken Paprikash (Paprikaš)

Fall-off-the-bone chicken in a rich, peppery sauce—Chicken Paprikash is a comforting stew made for cold days. Spoon it over pasta, rice, or gnocchi for a warm hug in a bowl.

A Balkan classic you’ll want to master.

- Balkan Pepper Schnitzel

Tender schnitzel topped with a creamy mushroom and pepper sauce—Pepper Schnitzel is comfort food done right. It’s rich, savory, and ready to impress.

Try it with mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.

Pan with sauce and schnitzels, with a spoon inside of it holding one of them, checkered kitchen towel on a gray background.

- Couscous with Chicken and Veggie Sauce

This couscous dish is tossed with tender chicken and a colorful sauce of peppers and veggies. It’s light but filling, and comes together in no time.

Perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.

Bowl of couscous on a plaid kitchen towel.

- Stuffed Eggplant

Roasted eggplants filled with a savory pepper and veggie mix—Stuffed Eggplant is comfort food with a healthy twist. It’s perfect for meal prep or a cozy weekend dinner.

Add some yogurt on the side and dig in.

- Bosnian Pot (Bosanski Lonac)

Layers of meat, peppers, and root veggies simmer to perfection in this old-world Bosnian Pot. It’s the kind of rustic stew you make when you want real nourishment.

Serve with fresh bread and a spoonful of sour cream.

Black ceramic pot with a spoon inside on a gray background.

- Meza

Meza isn’t a recipe—it’s a whole experience. Mix up cured meats, cheeses, and pickled veggies like roasted peppers, then gather around.

This is Balkan hospitality at its best!

Rectangular wooden tray filled with different meats, cheeses, vegetables and nuts on a gray background.

- Pepper Meat Sauce

Mushrooms, peppers, and veal come together in this rich, spoon-over-everything Hajj Ćevap, or Pepper Meat Sauce sauce. It’s bold, earthy, and packed with flavor.

Try it over rice or mashed potatoes for a meal that feels like a feast.

Hand holding a wooden spoon with food above the bowl on a marble table.

- Dolma (Stuffed Vegetables)

Peppers, zucchini, and onions are stuffed with a spiced rice and meat filling in these Balkan Dolmas. Hearty, healthy, and deeply comforting, they’re a go-to for Sunday lunch.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.

Metal dish with a lid on gray background filled with filled veggies, red kitchen underneath, and a pan and spoon.

- Turšija (Pickled Veggies)

Turšija is the tangy, crunchy pickled salad that lives in every Balkan pantry. Peppers are a must, but you can mix in all your favorite vegetables.

Make a big batch and enjoy it for weeks!

Jar filled with different pickled veggies on a gray background.

- Square Peppers Stuffed with Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes tucked inside sweet square peppers—this meatless stuffed pepper dish is surprisingly satisfying. It’s budget-friendly, nourishing, and perfect for vegetarians.

Add a salad and dinner’s done!

Cast iron pan filled with yellow stuffed peppers and a kitchen towel on a gray background.

- Hash Brown Peppers

A crispier take on stuffed peppers, Hash Brown Peppers are filled with grated potatoes and baked until golden. Crunchy on the outside, soft inside—they’re a side or main that everyone will love.

Try them next time you want something cozy but different.

A forkful of potato stuffing being held above a black pan with peppers.

Thoughts?

If you made any recipes in our best pepper recipes collection, and liked them, please consider giving it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This helps others find the recipe more easily!

Also, feel free to leave a comment (I read each one!), and don't forget to tag a photo #balkanlunchbox, or us @balkanlunchbox, on IG.

Prijatno, Dobar Tek, and Bon Appetit!