Stuffed Balkan Burger (Pljeskavica)
A Balkan classic: two thin beef patties crimped around a molten cheese and onion core, then pan-fried until golden and crispy. Ready in under 20 minutes.
- Total time
- 18 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 38g
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef (80/20)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, minced
- ½ cup kashkaval or mild cheddar, shredded
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tbsp neutral oil
Instructions
- 1
Mix minced onion with shredded cheese in a small bowl. Set filling aside.
- 2
Divide beef into 4 equal balls. Pat each into a thin patty, roughly 3 inches wide.
- 3
Place 1 tbsp cheese-onion filling in center of 2 patties. Top with remaining patties, then crimp edges firmly to seal.
- 4
Season both sides generously with salt, paprika, and black pepper.
- 5
Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high until it shimmers, about 90 seconds.
- 6
Lay patties flat in the skillet, do not move them. Sear 4–5 minutes until deep golden and crispy.
- 7
Flip once and cook 3–4 minutes until the second side is golden and cheese melts slightly at the edges.
- 8
Transfer to a plate and rest 2 minutes before serving.
Tools you’ll need
- 10-inch skillet
- small mixing bowl
- spatula
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
CookSnap is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.
