pljeskavica

Pljeskavica is a traditional grilled dish from the Western Balkans, especially Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia. It consists of a large, flat patty made from minced meat, typically beef, often combined with pork or lamb, seasoned with onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and sometimes paprika or other spices. The mixture is shaped into a round patty, usually several millimeters thick, and cooked on a charcoal grill or in a grill pan until browned and cooked through.

Commonly, pljeskavica is served in a bread such as lepinja or somun, and topped with onions. It is frequently accompanied by condiments like ajvar (roasted red pepper relish), kajmak (creamy dairy spread), sour cream, or chopped vegetables. The dish can be served as a single large patty shared among diners, or as smaller patties in a plate.

Regional variations exist, with some preparations using only beef, others mixing beef with pork or lamb, and different spice blends. In urban and street-food contexts, pljeskavica is a popular fast-food option and can be found at grill houses and markets across the region. The dish is part of the broader Balkan grilled-meat tradition and shares culinary ties with related dishes such as ćevapi and burgers, though it is distinct in its serving style and patty form.