Traditional Bulgarian Kyufte: Grilled Savory-Spiced Meat Patties
Bulgarian kyufte are flattened grilled patties of pork and beef seasoned with finely grated onion, cumin, black pepper, parsley and chubritsa. Unlike kebapche they contain onion and are shaped as patties, but they do not need egg, breadcrumbs, garlic or paprika.
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Illustrated cooking guide
Step-by-step visual method
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Written method
Instructions
Read through once, then cook at your own pace with the illustrated guide above.
- 1
Combine the pork, beef, grated onion, parsley, cumin, chubritsa, black pepper and salt.
- 2
Knead for 6-8 minutes, adding the ice water gradually, until the mixture is sticky and cohesive. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- 3
With wet hands, divide into 10 equal portions. Form compact oval patties about 1.5cm thick and press shallow finger marks across each surface.
- 4
Heat a charcoal or ridged grill to medium-high. Grill for about 4 minutes per side, turning once, until browned and safely cooked but still juicy.
- 5
Rest for 3 minutes and serve hot with Shopska salad, lyutenitsa, fries or bread.
Cook notes
Tips
Grate onion finely so no large pieces break the patties.
Rest the seasoned mixture for at least 4 hours.
Keep kyufte flat and oval to distinguish them from kebapche.
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Helpful notes
Practical storage, serving, swap, and troubleshooting notes for a better first try.
Storage Tips
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the uncooked patties and cook them directly from frozen.
Substitutions
- Use all pork while retaining the onion and Bulgarian seasonings.
- Use still ice water if needed to knead the mixture cohesive.
What to Serve With
- Bulgarian Shopska salad
- Grilled vegetables
- Rice or mashed potatoes
Common Mistakes
- Adding egg, breadcrumbs, garlic and paprika to make a generic meatloaf-style patty.
- Skipping the refrigerated rest.
- Shaping long logs, which are kebapche rather than kyufte.
Recipe FAQ
What is Kyufte?
Kyufte are traditional Bulgarian grilled meat patties made from a mix of ground meats and spices.
Can I make Kyufte in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the patties ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until ready to grill.
What meats are traditionally used in Kyufte?
Traditionally, a mix of ground beef and ground pork is used for Kyufte.
Kitchen tools
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Skillet
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Chef knife
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Cutting board
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Measuring spoons
Useful for balancing spices, salt, acids, and sauces.
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