Serbian Food

What Are the Local Foods in Serbia?

Serbian food is a traditional Balkan cuisine that reflects Serbia’s culinary methods and traditions. Its roots can be traced back to Serbian history, which includes centuries of cultural influence and contact with the Greeks, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottomans, and Serbia’s Balkan neighbors, especially during Yugoslavia.

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Serbian Food Products

In Serbia, protected foods are associated with their place of origin, ensuring their quality. This safeguards the product’s reputation and authenticity.

Several foods in Serbia enjoy protected geographical indications (GI) or protected designations of origin, such as cheeses, meats, honey, and fruits.

Protected cheeses

Pirot cheese

Krivovir cheese

Sjenica sheep cheese

Protected Meats

Užice beef prosciutto

Srem Kulen

Smoked ham (šunka)

Pastrma

Zlatibor prosciutto (zlatiborska pršuta)

Protected Fruits

Arilje raspberry

Oblačinka from Oblačina sour cherry

Protected Honey

Homolje honey

Fruška Gora linden honey

Protected Spreads

Leskovac ajvar

Traditional Dishes in Serbia

Serbian cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors, and one cannot explore it without diving into its traditional dishes. From hearty stews to succulent sausages, Serbian food is a celebration of taste and culture.

Sarma

Sarma is a mix of ground pork or beef with rice rolled in leaves of cabbage.

Gibanica

Gibanica is an egg and cheese pie made with filo dough.

Pljeskavica

Pljeskavica is a ground beef or pork patty.

ćevapi

ćevapi is grilled meat.

Paprikaš

Paprikaš is a soup made of paprika.

Gulaš

Gulaš is soup of meat and vegetables usually seasoned with paprika and other spices.

Karađorđeva šnicla

Karađorđeva šnicla is a schnitzel.

FAQs About Serbian Food

What is the traditional food of Serbia?

The cuisine of eastern Serbia includes čobanske pite (savory pies with meat and vegetables), lamb cooked in milk, smoked wild boar, janjija (a dish made with three types of meat and mixed vegetables), and homoljski kačamak (a delicious maize polenta). In southern Serbia, meat is often grilled or spit-roasted—traditional cooking methods that enhance its full flavor.