EASY Meat Sauce Recipe: Bosnian Mini Ćevap

Easy meat sauce recipe coming to us from Bosnia. Also known as mini ćevap (not to be confused with traditional ćevap sausages) this diced beef sauce is perfect for pasta, polenta and more. Major bonus? It’s quick! 

(Recept na bosanskom: Sitni ćevap)

Background: 

If you’re familiar with Bosnian cuisine  you may have thought this would be a recipe for ćevapi, a well-known grilled minced meat dish. Well, you’re in for a surprise! 

But first let’s clear up the confusion!

Term ćevapi isn’t specific only to that one famous grilled delicacy! In fact, there are several different ćevapi dishes! BUT because it is the most popular, most  people assume those are the only ćevapi that exist. 

How do you know which one is which? 

If the name of the dish is ćevap only, it’s the grilled sausages. But if it has an adjective in front of it, it’s another ćevap dish. In this case it’s usually some type of beef sauce. 

(Want another example? Jump over to the Boss sauce, aka ‘hajj ćevap.’)

Today’s mini ćevap (sitni ćevap) refers to the beef that’s diced small.  It’s a tender beef sauce achieved by simmering beef with onion until they sweat out the goodness. Think of it as a versatile, goulash-type meal.

Unlike regular goulash, however, fluid content is halved.  As a result you get a sauce with meat that greatly depends on its own juices for flavor.  

Ingredient and method notes: 

• Oil and butter: Oil serves to prevent butter from burning. You can use less.
• Garlic: If using granulated garlic use 1/4 teaspoon as a substitute for one clove. For garlic powder the substitution is 1/8 for each clove.
• Onion: No subs here! I support using granulated or powdered onion for most homemade sauces. But this dish’s flavor depends greatly on meat and onion simmering together for a while. Original recipe calls for sliced onion, however I dice mine.
• Parsley and celery: Fresh is best. If using dried exchange each tablespoon of fresh herbs with one teaspoon of dried herbs.  
• Pepper: Using peppercorn is recommended. Otherwise add ground black pepper to taste.
• Beef: If at all possible use fattier cuts such as T-bone or rib eye. In the absence use the chuck.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Substitute with tomato sauce, or 2 teaspoons of vinegar.
• Water: For a stronger flavor use beef broth.
• Other Veggies: In some regions, carrots and peppers are added.

How to prepare this delicious diced beef sauce?

1. Simmer all ingredients (except paprika and tomato sauce) together (20 min). 
2. Add tomato sauce, paprika to the sauce and simmer some more (20 min). 
3. Add water (or broth), bring to a boil, simmer (5 min) and serve. 

What type of meat goes in this easy meat sauce?

This is a red meat dish with sauce similar to goulash, with one key difference.

Both dishes are forgiving of old cuts of meat. (No need to use veal, though I won’t stop you!) However, best Bosnian meat sauce is made with fattier off-the-bone cuts like T-bone or rib eye.

I know what you’re thinking: “Aida, you crazy! I’m not wasting T-bone on a sauce!”

Yet it won’t be a waste!  It’ll be the most delicious, finger-licking sauce with meat you’ve had in your life.

If you are still hesitant, you can get away with stew chuck. The dish won’t be fantastic, but it will still be great.

When to to serve it, how to serve it and what sides to serve this dish with? 

In Bosnia mini ćevap is popular during Ramadan fast breaks. (Ramadan is the Muslim fasting month.) However you can find it in most local food restaurants all year.  It’s often served in traditional tin or copper dishes called ’sahan’ (see the first photo).  

Back in the day it was served as a stew with a side of bread. 

But I like it best with sides. Here are some side ideas: 

• Rice
• Pasta
• Baked Potatoes 
• Mashed potatoes 
• Polenta

What to do with leftover meat?

1. Freeze it. 
2. Refrigerate it and use it in a sandwich or as a dip sauce later.  
3. You can also use over a different side the following day. 

Want more meat centric dishes? 

• Okra sauce 
• Veal medallions in creamy mushroom sauce
• Meatballs in tomato sauce
• Mushroom Goulash

Will you do me a favor? If you make this dish leave a rating, comment or tag @balkanlunchbox on IG. (P.S. I read every comment!) Prijatno (aka bon appetit)!

EASY Meat Sauce Recipe: Bosnian Mini Ćevap

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Balkan Lunch Box
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: Meats/ Sauces

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Description

Easy and quick meat sauce recipe coming to us from Bosnia. Also known as mini ćevap this diced beef sauce is perfect for pasta, polenta and more. 

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 ounces oil
• 3.5 ounces butter
• 1 yellow onion (large, peeled, sliced)*
• 1–2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 3–4 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced, or 3–4 teaspoons dried)
• 3–4 tablespoons fresh celery leaf (minced, or 3–4 teaspoons dried)
• Salt to taste
• A few peppercorns
• 1.5 pounds beef (cubed, preferably T-bone or rib eye)**
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 4 ounces crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce or 2 teaspoons vinegar)
• 1.5–2 cups water (lukewarm, or beef broth)

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Instructions

1. In a deep pan combine oil, butter, onion, garlic, parsley, celery, salt, pepper, and meat. Stir well and simmer over medium for 20 minutes or until water expeled by the meat and veggies almost evaporates. 
2. Add tomato sauce, paprika and sugar. Stir and simmer another 20 minutes or until sauce juices thicken. 
3. Add water (or broth), bring everything to a boil and simmer another 3-5 minutes. Serve over a side of your choice. 

Notes

*Original recipe calls for a sliced onion, however I diced it for the video.

**Substitute (if you must) with the chuck.  

Recipe adapted from: Lakišić, A. (2015). Bosanski kuhar. Svjetlost.

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Nutrition

• Calories: 711
• Sugar: 2.8g
• Sodium: 505mg
• Fat: 57.5g
• Saturated Fat: 22.2g
• Carbohydrates: 5.8g
• Fiber: 1.8g
• Protein: 41.2g
• Cholesterol: 179mg

Keywords: easy meat sauce