Best Balkan Burgers Recipes

Balkan Burgers image

Provided by Julia Moskin

Time 30m

Yield 6 burgers

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound ground beef, preferably chuck
1 pound ground veal
1 pound ground pork, preferably neck or jowl meat; or use 1/3 pound pork belly and 2/3 pound regular ground pork
1/2 cup finely chopped onions plus minced onions, for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon black pepper; or use 2 teaspoons sweet paprika and 1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup sparkling water
6 pita breads, warmed or toasted
Kajmak with herbs (see recipe)
Red pepper-eggplant ajvar (see recipe)

Steps:

In a large bowl, place meats, 1/2 cup chopped onions, salt, pepper and sparkling water. Using your hands, lightly combine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
Divide mixture into six equal balls. Place one ball between two sheets of plastic wrap and use the heel of your hand to pound it to a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick and 6 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining meat; refrigerate patties about 1 hour.
Heat a grill or heavy skillet to very hot. Cook patties, turning often, until well browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Cut pita breads in half horizontally, and serve burgers between pieces of pita. Sprinkle with onions and spread with kajmak and ajvar as desired.

Balkan Burgers image

Provided by Vicki Butts (lazyme)

Categories Burgers

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 19

FOR BURGERS:
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground veal (or lamb)
1/2 medium onion, grated or minced
3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley or dill
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 c beef stock or water
FOR SERVING:
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 ripe tomato, finely chopped
1/4 c chopped pickled peppers
ajvar, optional
kajmak, optional
4 crusty rolls or pita pockets

Steps:

1. Combine all burger ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. With wet hands, form 4 patties and refrigerate (covered) until ready to grill.
3. Place the chopped vegetables in bowls with spoons.
4. Preheat the grill to high. Grill the burgers until cooked through and golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning with a spatula.
5. Serve the burgers on rolls topped with spoonfuls of onion, tomato, and pickled pepper.