A Balkan pickling mix is a blend of spices and seasonings used to add traditional Balkan flavor to homemade pickled vegetables. Our pickling mix makes it easier to create flavorful pickles at home while bringing the familiar taste of Balkan kitchens to your own kitchen.

Balkan spices are the herbs and spice blends traditionally used to season food throughout Southeastern Europe. They often feature ingredients such as paprika, garlic, black pepper and herbs, creating the savory, smoky and aromatic flavors associated with Balkan cooking. Spicy Balkan creates spice blends inspired by these traditional flavors for easy cooking at home.

Balkan food refers to the diverse cuisines and food traditions found throughout the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. It is known for roasted peppers, grilled meats, fresh vegetables, fermented and pickled foods, hearty spreads, spices and recipes passed down through generations. Spicy Balkan celebrates these traditional flavors through products such as ajvar, Balkan spice blends and pickling mixes.

Ajvar is a traditional Balkan roasted red pepper and eggplant spread, loved throughout Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia and the wider Balkans. Traditionally made by roasting red peppers then slowly cooking them with oil, salt and seasonings, ajvar is enjoyed as a spread, dip, side dish or condiment. Spicy Balkan brings this traditional Balkan staple to your table using recipes inspired by the flavors and food traditions we grew up with.

We roast our peppers the traditional Balkan way, directly over an open fire. This time-honored method is what gives our ajvar its distinctive smoky, charred flavor and brings out the natural sweetness of the peppers.

As the peppers roast over the fire, their skins become beautifully charred while the inside becomes soft, sweet and deeply flavorful. That subtle smokiness carries through into the finished ajvar, creating the rich, roasted flavor that makes traditional Balkan ajvar so special.

We believe you can taste the difference. The fire, the peppers and the traditional process all come together to create an ajvar with real depth, natural sweetness and a delicious smoky char.

It’s not just a roasted pepper spread, it’s a taste of the traditional Balkan way of making ajvar.

Our ajvar is made primarily from roasted red peppers and eggplant, combined with carefully selected ingredients and seasonings to create a rich, smoky and naturally sweet Balkan spread. We focus on simple ingredients and traditional preparation to preserve the authentic taste and texture of homemade ajvar.

Just a little! My mama likes it, and she doesn't typically like spicy. We offer one ajvar variety, and it has a mild level of heat. You’ll get all the rich, smoky flavor of roasted red peppers and eggplant, with just a gentle kick at the back of your mouth.

Because we use fresh, natural ingredients, every batch can vary slightly depending on the peppers we get that season. And honestly, that’s part of the beauty of making food with nature, you get what the peppers provide that year!

The heat is subtle and comes through more as a mild aftertaste rather than an intense spice. Perfect if you love flavor but don't want your ajvar too hot.

There is no wrong way to eat ajvar. Spread it on fresh bread, serve it alongside grilled meat, use it as a dip for vegetables, add it to sandwiches and burgers, or enjoy it as part of a traditional Balkan meal. Ajvar is also delicious with cheese, eggs and roasted or grilled vegetables.