Best Bosnian Bajram Recipes (Bayram/ Eid Ideas)

As the Muslim holy holiday Bajram (Bayram), or Eid, is fast approaching, we've gathered our favorite Bosnian dishes traditionally prepared for this celebration. Here you'll find many starters, entrées, pies, and desserts to feast your eyes, hearts, and tummies.

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Background
Starters
Entrées
Pies
Desserts
Thoughts?

Background

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bajram (Bayram or Eid), is celebrated twice a year. Here is what these holidays signify.

The first, Ramazanski Bajram (Eid al-Fitr/ Feast of the Fast) is a three-day feast at the end of the month-long, sunrise to sunset, Ramadan fast.

Muslims believe that during the first Ramadan that Allah (God) first started to reveal the holy book, Quran, to Muhamed through the archangel Gabriel.
Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina gather with their family on the first day, and friends on the remaining days.

The second, Kurban-Bajram (Eid al-Adha/ Feast of the Sacrifice), happens a couple of months later, and also lasts a couple of days.

In Islam, this day signifies the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) to Allah. To reward his willingness, God let Ibrahim sacrifice a lamb instead.
On this holiday today, different animals are sacrificed in different places. In Bosnia, a ram is sacrificed. Meat is distributed between family, friends, neighbors, and the poor. People gather with their families on the first day, and friends later.
If financially able, this is the time Muslims are expected to complete the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Generally, the same type of dishes are served for the first and second Bajram (Eid) in Bosnia, and below are some of our favorite menu choices and ideas.

Starters

Bey's Chicken Soup (Begova Čorba)

Think cream of chicken, except creamier, and with more chicken. Okra and lemon are added for that citrusy, exotic touch.

Check out this recipe

Soup in a silver bowl with a lid, a kitchen cloth, two slices of bread, a lemon wedge and a spoon.

Fresh Cabbage Salad

Shredded cabbage (with a light vinaigrette and chunks of tomatoes) is the most refreshing salad in the world.

Check out this recipe

A hand holding a forkful of cabbage salad.

Okra and Veal Sauce (Bamija)

Light sauce with fall-apart veal and tiny okra is truly a delicacy. Easy to make, but we won't tell.

Check out this recipe

Silver bowl with a lid filled with a spoonful of the sauce, a lemon wedge, and a slice of bread on gray background.

Entrées

Veal Shank Roast

Typical Balkan roast, this veal shank is what holiday food is all about. With our guidance, roasts will become as easy as 1-2-3.

Check out this recipe

Ground Beef Ravioli (Klepe)

Scrumptious and soft, these local ravioli will soon become your favorite dumplings. Nothing compares!

Check out this recipe

Bowl of klepe in traditional plating, on a gray background.

Mini Kebob Sauce (Sitni Ćevap)

Not your typical kebob, this traditional soft sauce is a meat lover's dream. Bosnian food at its finest.

Check out this recipe

Meat dish served in a traditional bowl sahan.

Stuffed Vegetable Medley (Dolma)

Everything can be stuffed! Yes, even tomatoes, onions, grape leaves, swiss chard, zucchini, and more. Here's how!

Check out this recipe

Metal dish with a lid full of stuffed veggies and a spoon ladle.

Baked Stuffed Peppers

The BEST stuffed peppers in the world. You will never make and eat stuffed peppers a different way again!

Check out this recipe

Pies

Ground Beef and Potato Phyllo Pie (Šareni Burek)

Traditional burek, or meat pie, from Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also added potatoes for that perfect taste.

Check out this recipe

Quarter of a burek pie on a plate on gray background.

Spinach Phyllo Pie (Zeljanica)

Same delicious spinach and cheese taste. Super easy preparation. Who said phyllo has to be homemade to be good?

Check out this recipe

Cheese Phyllo Pie (Sirnica)

Delicious cheese pie with hot, fluffy, soft layers of phyllo. Melt-in-your-mouth great! Here, try it for yourself!

Check out this recipe

Three pieces of pie on top of each other.

Desserts

Baklava

No Bosnian Bajram (Eid/Bayram) would be complete without a pan full of flaky, delicious baklava. Our simple way uses store phyllo for a faster result that doesn't skimp on taste.

Check out this recipe