Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (2024)

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By: Sarah Bond Leave a Comment

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This easy ajvar recipe is a roasted eggplant and red pepper relish that you’ll find yourself putting on everything! Inspired by the flavors of the Balkans.

Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (1)

Nothing beats enjoying local flavors when traveling the globe, and when I visited a few Balkan countries this summer (Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina) that was no exception! Every meal I had while visiting the area seemed to be served with this delicious smoky red sauce, and I knew I would have to recreate it once I got home. So here I am, home in Denver and slathering what I now know to be ajvar sauce on everything.

This classic roasted red pepper sauce gained popularity after WWII as a way to preserve produce. Ajvar sauce takes fresh peppers and eggplant and kicks up the flavor by roasting them, then combining with garlic and other flavorful ingredients.

“Ajvar” roughly translates to “relish”, due to the vinegar in it giving this sauce some kick. Let’s cook!

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Ingredients In Ajvar

Just nature’s bounty combined with a few pantry staples to tie them together.

  • Red Bell Peppers: The base ingredient here is sweet bell peppers, which are enhanced by the roasting process (get our comprehensive guide to roasting bell peppers here!)
  • Eggplant: You wouldn’t know it from the flavor, but there’s a whole roasted eggplant in ajvar! Eggplant helps to bulk up the sauce and create a smooth texture (similar to in baba ganoush).
  • Garlic: Nice and strong here with 4 cloves!
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Fat binds everything together. Use a good quality oil as the flavor is going to shine through, and lower quality brands will give you a bitter taste.
  • Vinegar: This combines all the flavors and adds a quick tang.

Can I use storebought peppers?

Store bought roasted peppers are often an affordable option to roasting them yourself. Feel free to use a can of store bought roasted peppers here!

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How to make Ajvar

This recipe is an easy one. Just a quick roast, peel, and blend!

Step 1: Broil
Wash produce and set on a lined baking sheet. The eggplant needs to be pricked a few times (like a potato) to let steam release. Broil, turning the peppers and eggplant often, watching carefully so they don’t burn! You want some good char but no flames.

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Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (5)

Step 2: Steam
Transfer the roasted veggies to a glass bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. This is the secret to easy peeling. Just 15 minutes and they will become soft, making for much easier peeling.

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Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (7)

Step 3: Peel
After steaming, the peels should slide right off. Discard the stems and seeds of the peppers and the stem of the eggplant. Cut the eggplant into chunks.

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Step 4: Blend
Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and give it a whirl. Pulse until smooth but keep in mind the texture of the eggplant means it will still be chunky.

Optional – Simmer
For a thicker, more concentrated sauce, transfer your blended ajvar to the stove and let simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring often to prevent it from burning.

Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (9)

Recipe tips

Charred: If you have a gas stove, you can carefully use metal tongs to roast the peppers over an open flame.

Easy Does It: Have you ever roasted peppers? The plastic wrap covered bowl is key to easy peeling. The steam makes the peels slide right off. And even though you are removing the actual charred bits, the pepper still has an amazing roasted flavor.

Relish the Flavor

Ajvar relish is a great saucy accompaniment to so many meals.

  • Vegetarian Cevapi, the classic Bosnia sandwich that always comes with a side of ajvar.
  • Shakshuka would be great when you substitute some of the canned tomatoes for this ajar sauce.
  • Tofu Nuggets provide a perfect vehicle for dipping.
  • Air Fried Zucchini are a fun way to add veggies…on veggies!
Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (10)

Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (11)

Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish)

No ratings yet

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 15 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Author: Sarah Bond

Calories: 88kcal

Servings: 6 servings

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This easy ajvar recipe is a roasted eggplant and red pepper relish that you'll find yourself putting on everything! Inspired by the flavors of the Balkans.

Ingredients

  • 4 red bell peppers
  • 1 eggplant
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 mL
  • 2 Tbsp white vinegar 30 mL
  • ½ tsp each salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Broil: Place washed bell peppers and eggplant on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Prick eggplant all over the skin with a fork. Place on the upper rack and broil, turning the peppers and eggplant often, until the skins are black and blistered, about 10 minutes.

    Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (12)

  • Steam: Immediately transfer peppers and eggplant to a large bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let steam for 15 minutes – this will make peeling a breeze!

    Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (13)

  • Peel: Peel the skin from each pepper and the eggplant. Remove stems and seeds from the peppers. Cut eggplant into chunks.

    Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (14)

  • Blend: Add roasted peppers and eggplant to a food processor, along with all other ingredients. Blitz until smooth.

    Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (15)

Tips & Tricks

Optional – Simmer: For a thicker, more concentrated sauce, transfer it to the stove and let simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 88kcal (4%) Carbohydrates: 11.2g (4%) Protein: 1.7g (3%) Fat: 5g (8%) Saturated Fat: 0.7g (4%) Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 198mg (9%) Potassium: 336mg (10%) Fiber: 3.8g (16%) Sugar: 6.3g (7%) Calcium: 18mg (2%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

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Easy Ajvar Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Relish) (2024)

FAQs

What is Ajvarski pepper used for? ›

Homemade ajvar is made of roasted peppers. Depending on the capsaicin content in bell peppers and the amount of added chili peppers, it can be sweet (traditional), piquant (the most common), or very hot. Ajvar can be consumed as a bread spread or as a side dish. Ajvar has a few variations.

How long does ajvar last in the fridge? ›

Wherever your ajvar inspiration takes you, store it in the fridge once you've opened a jar. Ajvar lacks the brine or salt concentration of pickles to keep it fresh after exposure to air, so try to eat through your jar within a week or two.

What can I substitute for ajvar? ›

If you cant find ajvar, a substitute can be made by pureeing a seven-ounce can of drained roasted bell peppers with two tablespoons of tomato paste and two tablespoons of purchased chili-garlic sauce, which is available at most supermarkets.

What is ajvar sauce made of? ›

Ajvar is commonly prepared in the fall, making use of the abundant harvest of red bell peppers, which are charred over a fire, peeled, and combined with roasted eggplant, garlic, oil, and vinegar, for a sauce that can be canned and eaten throughout the rest of the year.

How to use Ajvarski peppers? ›

One of the most popular varieties of these bullhorn peppers is the 'ajvarski' pepper - a large, superbly aromatic red sweet pepper shaped like a bull horn. Ajvar is often used as a spread or side dish, aromatic sauce, and flavoring ingredient in Balkan dishes.

What is good to eat with ajvar? ›

It can go with almost all types of meat, mezze (a starter meal in the Balkan countries that contains “prosciutto (type of meat) and cheese,” and even pizza.

Which country makes the best ajvar? ›

North Macedonia is well known for its incredible, still mostly organic and sustainable produce, especially when it comes to red peppers and aubergines for Macedonian ajvar. As is the Leskovac region in Serbia, which produces a particular type of red pepper perfect for Leskovac ajvar.

Does ajvar go bad? ›

How long does ajvar last? Unopened ajvar in a jar can last for up to about 4 months. Once the jar is opened, it needs to be refrigerated and consumed within 7-10 days.

What is ajvar in English? ›

The word "ajvar" comes from the Turkish word havyar, which means "caviar".

Is ajvar eaten hot or cold? ›

You can eat it cold or warm, as a side dish with grilled meat or just on bread or as an ingredient in marinades. Even if you know nothing about Balkan cuisine, you may have come across or heard someone mention, ajvar (pronounced “AY-vahr”).

Is ajvar the same as harissa? ›

Harissa sauce substitutes. If you are missing ingredients a fast substitute with a similar flavour is ajvar. Take one jar of ajvar and add chilli to give it the same spicy kick as harissa.

What is the tradition of ajvar? ›

One of the most popular culinary staples in the Balkans, ajvar (can be spelled aivar in English) is a traditional appetizer that dates back over a thousand years. The consistency is one of chutney or relish, and it is made of roasted red peppers and garlic.

What country did ajvar originate from? ›

Ajvar is both Macedonian and Serbian national dish and that will stay forever. Origin of ajvar is Serbian. It emerged at late 19th century in Belgrade restaurants as a substitute of Danube sturgeon caviar.

What is red pepper sauce made of? ›

It is 5-ingredient basic, but you wouldn't know that from the taste. Fresh garlic, lemon juice, and roasted red peppers build up the flavor base, while the almonds and olive oil make for that silky-meets-textured feel that is reminiscent of magic green sauce.

Is ajvar a Macedonian? ›

Ajvar, traditional Macedonian appetizer. Roast the paprika and eggplants over charcoal or a gas flame, or bake them in a preheated 475 F oven, until the skin is blistered and darkened.

What is ajvar used for in cooking? ›

Ajvar is smoky, garlicky and rich, and is served as a spread for crusty bread, a topping for meats and vegetables, and as a dip when combined with a little yogurt. In this recipe, it makes an incredible sauce for pasta!

What is the famous Turkish pepper? ›

Aleppo Pepper is the most well-known pepper from this region, but there are other—bold, different, unique—peppers from this region that we love and want to celebrate.

Where does the Ajvarski pepper come from? ›

The Ajvarski Sweet Pepper is from eastern Macedonia, where, according to Baker Creek, “These thick-fleshed traditional peppers are roasted on flat metal stoves, peeled, then ground into a traditional relish called ajvar, which is eaten spread on bread, often with sirenje, a local cheese similar to feta.” As soon as I ...

What is the most expensive pepper to grow? ›

Aji Charapita Pepper Plant -World's Most Expensive Pepper/$16,000 per lb -4" Pot.

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