Serbian Traditional Pork Shish Kebabs (Raznjici) Recipe (2024)

Croatian Food
Vegetable Recipes

Barbara Rolek

Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 04/13/22

Tested by

Diana Rattray

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Serbian Traditional Pork Shish Kebabs (Raznjici) Recipe (2)

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Marinate: 3 hrs

Total: 3 hrs 40 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Yield: 6 skewers

10 ratings

Write a Review

Add a comment

There are many variations of raznjici (RAHZ-nyee-chee). Some use only pork, others use a combination of pork and veal, and sometimes lamb. The meat is usually marinated before being threaded on skewers (a great project for the kids) and grilled. If you don't want to fuss with making your own marinade, Italian dressing works in a pinch.

Serve pork kebabs with a rice pilaf, tabbouleh salad, sautéed or roasted bell peppers, a red pepper and tomato salad, Serbian baked beans, or sauerkraut.

"I used pork to make the Serbian kebabs, and they were very good. It was an extremely easy preparation, and the list of ingredients is simple. I used about 18 fresh bay leaves, and a few of them were small enough to leave whole." —Diana Rattray

Serbian Traditional Pork Shish Kebabs (Raznjici) Recipe (3)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, or a combination of pork and veal
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup thinly sliced onions, plus more coarsely chopped for serving
15 small bay leaves, cut or broken in half if large

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients.
Pat the meat cubes dry and sprinkle them with generously with salt and pepper.
Place in a nonreactive bowl or pan with the oil, garlic, and sliced onions. Toss to coat. Marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (350F to 375F), or position a rack 6 to 8 inches from the heat and turn the broiler to high. Remove meat from bowl and discard the marinade. Thread 2 meat cubes alternately with 1 bay leaf half on skewers for a total of about 6 to 8 meat cubes per skewer.
Cook the meat until the it reaches an internal temperature of 145F, 8 to 10 minutes per side.
Raznjici may be removed from the skewers before serving or left on. Sprinkle chopped onion over razjnici and serve.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat-resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Tip

Lean pork tenderloin or loin are good choices for skewers because they cook quickly. Lean pork can also become dry, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking. The USDA recommends a safe minimum temperature of 145 F for pork.

Recipe Variations

If the meat is very lean, thread small slices of bacon onto the skewers with the bay leaves.
Add a few tablespoons of an acidic ingredient to the marinade, such as red wine vinegar or lemon juice.

How to Store

Refrigerate leftover shish kebab in a covered container within 2 hours of cooking and eat within 4 days.
To freeze the raznjici, transfer to an airtight freezer container or resealable freezer bag. Label the pork with the name and date and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
The best way to heat leftover pork is in small amount of oil in a covered skillet over medium-low to medium heat. Cook, turning for about 8 to 12 minutes, or until the pork reaches 165 F in the center of the largest pieces.

Homemade Doner Kebab

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
350	Calories
18g	Fat
5g	Carbs
41g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	350
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g	23%
Saturated Fat 5g	23%
Cholesterol 121mg	40%
Sodium 168mg	7%
Total Carbohydrate 5g	2%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 41g
Vitamin C 2mg	12%
Calcium 25mg	2%
Iron 1mg	7%
Potassium 598mg	13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

Kebabs
appetizer
eastern european
weeknight

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!