Traditional Balkan Sataraš Recipe
Looking for an easy traditional Balkan sataraš recipe? Sataraš is a classic Balkan vegetable dish made with bell peppers, tomatoes and onions slowly cooked together until soft, juicy and full of flavour.
Popular across Serbia, Bosna, Croatia and other parts of the Balkans, sataraš is one of those simple, domaće recipes where every family has their own way of making it. And naturally, every Balkan family thinks their version is the correct one.
Our Spicy Balkan sataraš recipe uses colourful red and yellow peppers, ripe tomatoes, onions and Spicy Balkan Začin Vegetable Seasoning, finished with a generous dollop of sour cream.
Here's my family recipe, the one I grew up with... old prilike ;) ...
Click here to see the video.
Ingredients
6 bell peppers, preferably a mix of red and yellow peppers
2–3 medium onions
2–3 ripe tomatoes
1 tsp Spicy Balkan Začin Vegetable Seasoning
Up to 2 tsp sugar, added gradually and only if needed
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Oil, for cooking
A generous dollop of sour cream, or sprinkle with chilli flakes for extra spice for serving
How to Make Traditional Sataraš
1. Start with the onions.
Slice the onions and cook them in a little oil over medium heat until they soften and become translucent.
Don’t rush them. Balkan cooking and patience have a complicated relationship, but this is one of those times you need it.
2. Add the peppers.
Slice the red and yellow bell peppers into strips and add them to the onions. Continue cooking until the peppers begin to soften and release their juices.
3. Add the tomatoes.
Chop the ripe tomatoes and add them to the pan. Stir everything together and allow the vegetables to continue cooking down.
This is where your pan of vegetables starts becoming proper sataraš.
4. Bring in the Začin.
Add 1 teaspoon of Spicy Balkan Začin Vegetable Seasoning, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Let the sataraš simmer until the tomatoes have broken down and the peppers are tender. You want everything soft, juicy and full of flavour.
5. Taste before touching the sugar.
The amount of sugar you need will depend on the sweetness and acidity of your tomatoes. This will neutralize the flavor.
Taste your sataraš first. If the tomatoes are a little acidic, gradually add sugar, tasting as you go, up to about 2 teaspoons.
Do not dump in two teaspoons and hope for the best.
We’re Balkan, not reckless.
6. Finish it the Balkan way.
Spoon the hot sataraš into a bowl and finish it with a generous dollop of sour cream and dip your bread in to soak up the delicious flavors of sataraš.
Could you skip the sour cream? Technically.
Would we recommend it? Absolutely not.
If you like spice, you can sprinkle some chili flakes on top!
Click here to see the video.
What Do You Eat with Sataraš?
Sataraš can be eaten as a simple vegetarian meal or served as a side dish to any protein. We love it warm with plenty of fresh, crusty bread for soaking up all of those tomato and pepper juices.
You can also serve Balkan sataraš alongside grilled meats, ćevapi, potatoes or eggs.
Or eat it straight out of the pot while telling everyone else dinner isn't ready yet. We won't tell.
What Is Sataraš?
Sataraš is a traditional vegetable dish found throughout the Balkans. While recipes vary between families and regions, it is typically made by cooking peppers, tomatoes and onions together until the vegetables become tender and saucy.
Is Sataraš Vegan?
Yes. This sataraš recipe is vegetarian/vegan. Leave off the sour cream or use a plant-based alternative if you'd like to make it vegan.
Can You Make Sataraš Ahead of Time?
Absolutely. Sataraš is delicious freshly made, but it's also one of those dishes that tastes even better once the flavours have had time to sit together.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat before serving. Sometimes its even better the next day.
Domaće. Simple. A little messy. Exactly how it should be.