Language/Serbian/Culture/Cuisine

Serbian Culture → Introduction to Serbian Culture → Cuisine

Serbian cuisine is a mixture of Balkan and Mediterranean influences, with a touch of Eastern European flavor. It reflects a rich and complex history with a wide range of dishes that delight any palate. Throughout the ages, Serbian cuisine has been influenced by the Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Yugoslavia. In this lesson, we will explore traditional Serbian dishes and culinary habits.

Traditional Serbian Dishes

Appetizers

Serbian appetizers, or meze, are small dishes meant to be eaten with alcoholic drinks. The most famous ones are:

Serbian	English
Ćevapi	Small grilled kebabs made of minced meat, usually beef or pork.
Proja	A type of cornbread made with cornmeal and cheese.
Tara	Another type of cornbread made with cornmeal, stuffed with cheese, spinach, or meat.
Kajmak	A creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream or sour cream.
Ajvar	Roasted red pepper and eggplant spread.

Main Courses

Serbian main courses usually consist of grilled meat, slow-cooked stews, and savory pies. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Ćevapi - grilled minced meat served with onions and a flatbread called lepinja
• Pljeskavica - a large patty made of minced meat, usually beef or pork, served in a bun
• Sarma - cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat, rice, and spices
• Prebranac - baked beans with sautéed onions and spices
• Paprikash - chicken, beef or pork in a paprika-based sauce served with noodles or dumplings
• Moussaka - baked layers of minced meat, potatoes, and eggplant topped with a creamy sauce

Desserts

Serbian desserts are typically sweet and hearty. They often contain fruits, nuts, and honey. Some of the most popular ones are:

Serbian	English
Baklava	Sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and honey syrup.
Kremna Rezina	A creamy custard cake topped with whipped cream and a caramel sauce.
Čupavci	A sweet sponge cake coated in chocolate and sprinkled with coconut.
Urnebes	A spicy cheese spread similar to the Romanian Zacusca.
Kuglof	A sweet bread with a spiral shape similar to a bundt cake.

Culinary Habits

Serbians love their food, and the most important meal of the day is lunch. It is usually a three-course meal consisting of soup, meat, and a dessert. Breakfast is a lighter meal and often includes coffee, bread, and cheese. Dinner is considered a family time, and it consists of leftovers from lunch or a light meal.

Serbian cuisine is known for pickling vegetables like peppers and cucumbers. It is also common to make jams and preserves from fruits like plums and apricots. A popular alcoholic drink is rakija, a type of brandy made from fruit, usually plums or apples.

Conclusion

Serbian cuisine is a reflection of the country's rich cultural heritage, and it offers a wide range of flavors and textures. You can experience it by trying a traditional Serbain meal, or by cooking some of the dishes at home. Either way, enjoy the tantalizing tastes of Serbian food.

Sources

• Serbian cuisine Wikipedia page
• Meze Wikipedia page

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Serbian Grammar

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative
• Pronouns: Personal Pronouns
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Verbs: Past Tense

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Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Transportation and Directions

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Introduction to Serbian Culture

• Traditional Serbian Music
• Religious Festivals
• Folk Dances
• Serbian Films
• Cuisine

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Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

• Verbs: Future Tense
• Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative
• Verbs: Imperative

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Shopping

• Clothes and Accessories
• At the Market
• Banking and Money

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Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

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Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

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Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

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Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

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Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

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Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

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Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Related Lessons

• Religious Festivals
• Montenegro Timeline
• Football in Serbia
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene
• Winter Sports
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry
• Kosovo Timeline
• Famous Serbian Painters
• Folk Dances