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Ajvar — Authentic Balkan Roasted Red Pepper Spread

Ajvar (pronounced EYE-var) is a roasted red pepper spread from the Balkans — Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, and Bosnia all claim it as their own. Made from roasted red peppers, sometimes eggplant, garlic, sunflower oil and salt, it is the staple of Balkan meze, grilled meats and roštilj nights. Hamilton Euromarket stocks 50+ authentic ajvars from the brands diaspora families actually keep in their pantry — shipped nationwide from California, or pickup in San Jose & Alhambra.

Mild or Hot?

Mild ajvar is the classic — smoky, sweet, rich. Perfect on bread with kashkaval, alongside cevapcici and pljeskavice, or stirred into eggs. Hot (ljuti) ajvar adds chili — same depth, with heat. Most Balkan households keep both jars open at the same time.

Where it comes from

  • Serbian ajvar — Granny's Secret, Ask Homemade — smoky-sweet, often heavier on red pepper
  • Macedonian ajvar — Va-Va, Biljana, Vitaminka, Bas, Kostana, Mama's — typically blended with roasted eggplant
  • Croatian ajvar — Podravka, Hina, Dida Boza — slightly thicker, more pepper-forward
  • Bulgarian-style — Zergüt — closer to lutenica, with tomato added

How to use ajvar

  • On bread with kajmak, kashkaval, or feta — the classic meze opener
  • Alongside cevapcici, pljeskavice, kobasica — any grilled Balkan meat
  • Stirred into scrambled eggs or omelets
  • Spread on burgers, sandwiches, or pita
  • Mixed into pasta sauce, rice, or roasted vegetables
  • As a dip with kashkaval, olives, and cured meats for meze

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ajvar vegan? Yes — traditional ajvar is made from peppers, sunflower oil, salt, and sometimes eggplant and garlic. No animal products. The Va-Va Ajvar with Cheese variant is the one exception in our catalog.

Is ajvar gluten-free? Yes — authentic ajvar from Granny's Secret, Podravka, Vitaminka, Biljana, Va-Va, Bas, Mama's, Kostana, and Hina contains no wheat, rye, or barley. Always check the label for cross-contamination notices.

How long does ajvar last after opening? Refrigerate after opening and use within 30 days. Keep the jar sealed; pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to extend freshness.

What's the difference between ajvar, lutenica, pindjur, and zacusca? Ajvar is roasted red peppers (sometimes eggplant). Lutenica (Bulgarian) adds tomato. Pindjur (Macedonian/Serbian) is similar to ajvar but coarser. Zacusca (Romanian) is heavier on eggplant and tomato, slow-cooked.

Can you ship ajvar nationwide? Yes — ajvar is shelf-stable until opened, and we ship to all 50 states. Free shipping on orders over $175.

What's the best ajvar brand for first-time buyers? For Serbian ajvar, start with Granny's Secret. For Macedonian, try Va-Va or Vitaminka. For Croatian, Podravka is the classic. Hot lovers: try Mama's or Biljana De Luxe Hot.

Visit Hamilton Euromarket at 4160 Stevens Creek Blvd in San Jose or 445 W Main St in Alhambra to see the full selection — or browse and order online.

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2350.0g | $1.13 / 100g

Va-Va Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian Style 2.35kg (5.2lb)

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Experience the authentic taste of roasted red peppers. This spread is perfect for sandwiches, pastas, or salads, and can also be grilled with steak...

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540.0g | $1.57 / 100g

Va-Va Roasted Pepper Macedonian Ajvar Spread 540g (1.2lb)

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Enjoy the smoky, sweet flavor of fire-roasted red peppers. These fillets are versatile, perfect for enhancing pasta dishes, grilled meats, or simpl...

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670.0g | $2.01 / 100g

Jadranka Hot Roasted Ajvar Vegetable Spread, Croatian Style 670g (23.6oz)

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Jadranka's hot ajvar delivers that authentic roasted pepper and eggplant depth with a spicy kick. It's fantastic slathered on fresh bread, as a liv...

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350.0g | $3.43 / 100g

Chef K Artisan Recipe Roasted Red Peppers Spicy Spread, Macedonian Ajvar 350g (12.3oz)

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Chef K Artisan Spicy — Macedonian small-jar heat register. The Artisan line of Chef K — kapija-pepper roast with chili-warmth in the starter format...

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350.0g | $3.14 / 100g

Chef K Roasted Red Peppers Spread, Macedonian Ajvar 350g (12.3oz)

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Chef K Macedonian Ajvar — small-format mild register. Chef K's mild kapija-pepper Macedonian recipe in the starter pour — oil-finished, sweet-smoky...

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350.0g | $3.14 / 100g
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530.0g | $2.07 / 100g

Biljana Hot Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Ajvar, Macedonian Spread 530g (18.7oz)

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Biljana Hot Ajvar — eggplant blend, Macedonian heat register. The chili-warmed version of Biljana's eggplant-blended 1952 recipe — sweet-smoky velv...

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540.0g | $2.04 / 100g

Biljana Chunky Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 540g (1.2lb)

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Biljana Chunky Hot — the rustic-grind heat register. The chunky-mash variant tuned hot — visible pepper pieces, chili-warmth, the texture and bite ...

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540.0g | $2.04 / 100g
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550.0g | $3.45 / 100g

Mama's Ajvar Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian 550g (1.2lb)

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Mama's Hot Ajvar — Macedonian home-recipe, chili register. The chili-warmed cousin to Mama's mild — same slow-roast kapija, same oil-glossed finish...

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Mama's Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian 550g (19.4oz)

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Mama's Mild Ajvar — Macedonian family-recipe register. Mama's leans the home-kitchen voice — slow-roasted kapija pepper, oil-finished, the texture ...

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680.0g | $2.28 / 100g

Va-Va Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian Style 680g (24oz)

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The family-size hot ajvar pour, Macedonian roast. Va-Va's hot ajvar in the kitchen-volume jar — kapija-pepper mash with chili-warmth that finishes ...

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680.0g | $2.28 / 100g

Va-Va Homemade Mild Roasted Pepper Ajvar, Macedonian Style 680g (1.5lb)

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Va-Va Homemade Mild — Macedonian breakfast spread, family pour. Sweet-smoky kapija mash, no chili, the recipe register that anchors the morning lep...

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680.0g | $2.13 / 100g

Va-Va Homemade Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680g (24oz)

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The classic Va-Va Homemade Mild, large household pour. Pure roasted-pepper Macedonian recipe — no eggplant, no chili, kapija velvet at the center. ...

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540.0g | $2.31 / 100g

Biljana Chunky Ajvar Mild Macedonian Vegetable Spread 540g (19oz)

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Biljana Chunky Mild — the hand-mashed register. Biljana's chunky-grind variant of the mild ajvar — kapija pieces visible, less pureed, closer to th...

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540.0g | $2.31 / 100g
Vegan
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670.0g | $2.01 / 100g

Biljana Ajvar De Luxe Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian 670g (1.5lb)

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Biljana De Luxe Hot — Macedonian premium hot ajvar. The De Luxe line's hot register — denser kapija ratio, glossier set, chili calibrated to warm w...

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530.0g | $2.07 / 100g

Biljana Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 530g (18.7oz)

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Biljana Hot Ajvar — weeknight household pour. The standard-jar hot variant of Biljana's Macedonian recipe — chili-warmed kapija-and-eggplant mash f...

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530.0g | $2.07 / 100g
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Current price $13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g

Biljana Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 670g (1.5lb)

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Biljana Hot Ajvar — family-size eggplant blend, Macedonian. The kilo-adjacent pour for the household that goes through hot ajvar across a month of ...

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$13.49 - $13.49
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550.0g | $1.63 / 100g

Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 550g (1.2lb)

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Bas Mild Ajvar — Macedonian eggplant-blend household pour. Bas's recipe rides the eggplant-rich velvet register — softer body than the lean pepper-...

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290.0g | $3.10 / 100g

Bas Hot Roasted Red Pepper Ajvar Spread, Macedonian 290g (10.2oz)

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Bas Hot Ajvar — Macedonian starter-pour heat. The small-format hot variant of the Bas Macedonian recipe — slow-roasted kapija with chili-warmth in ...

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290.0g | $3.10 / 100g
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530.0g | $2.73 / 100g

Bas Hot Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Ajvar, Macedonian Spread 530g (18.7oz)

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Bas Hot Ajvar — eggplant blend, weeknight household pour. The standard-jar hot variant — kapija-and-eggplant smooth mash, chili-warmed for the ćeva...

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690.0g | $1.67 / 100g

Vitaminka Hot Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread, Macedonian 690g (24.3oz)

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Vitaminka Hot Ajvar — Skopje 1956 recipe, chili register. The hot variant of the Vitaminka industrial classic — same smooth kapija-pepper mash, chi...

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690.0g | $1.67 / 100g
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520.0g | $2.79 / 100g

Va-Va Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread with Cheese, Macedonian 520g (18.3oz)

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Va-Va Ajvar With Cheese — the Macedonian breakfast shortcut. Kapija-pepper mash folded with bijeli sir into a single spread — the morning plate of ...

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520.0g | $2.79 / 100g
Vegan
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540.0g | $2.41 / 100g

Va-Va Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian Style 540g (1.2lb)

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Va-Va Mild Ajvar, Macedonian standard jar. Sweet-smoky kapija-pepper roast in the everyday weeknight pour — the format the apartment kitchen and th...

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$12.99
$12.99 - $12.99
Current price $12.99
540.0g | $2.41 / 100g
Vegan
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$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
Current price $14.49
680.0g | $2.13 / 100g

Va-Va Homemade Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Macedonian Style 680g (1.5lb)

in stock

The homemade-recipe hot ajvar, Macedonian large jar. Va-Va's Homemade line keeps the hand-mashed character — chunkier than the smooth industrial po...

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Original price $14.49 - Original price $14.49
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$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
Current price $14.49
680.0g | $2.13 / 100g
Vegan
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$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
Current price $13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g

Biljana Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 670g (1.5lb)

in stock

Biljana Mild Ajvar with eggplant — the velvet-mash variant. The eggplant-blended version of Biljana's 1952 recipe — softer, glossier, less pepper-s...

View full details
Original price $13.49 - Original price $13.49
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$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
Current price $13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g
Vegan