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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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Biljana Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Biljana Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g | Hamilton Euromarket Vegan
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
530.0g | $2.07 / 100g

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

in stock

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

View full details
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
530.0g | $2.07 / 100g
Vegan
Biljana Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 670 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Biljana Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 670 g | Hamilton Euromarket Vegan
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g

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

in stock

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
$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g
Vegan
Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 550 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 550 g | Hamilton Euromarket Vegan
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
550.0g | $1.63 / 100g

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

in stock

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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$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
550.0g | $1.63 / 100g
Vegan
Bas Hot Roasted Red Pepper Ajvar Spread, Macedonian 290g (10.2oz) | Hamilton Euromarket
Bas Hot Roasted Red Pepper Ajvar Spread, Macedonian 290g (10.2oz) | Hamilton Euromarket Vegan
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
290.0g | $3.10 / 100g

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

in stock

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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$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
290.0g | $3.10 / 100g
Vegan
Bas Ajvar Hot Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Bas Ajvar Hot Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
530.0g | $2.73 / 100g

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

in stock

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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$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
530.0g | $2.73 / 100g
Vegan
Ask Grandma's Recepi Homemade Hot Ajvar 300 g — authentic pantry from Serbia | Hamilton Euromarket
Ask Grandma's Recepi Homemade Hot Ajvar 300 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
300.0g | $2.83 / 100g

Ask Homemade Hot Ajvar, Serbian Vegetable Spread 300g (10.6oz)

in stock

Ask Homemade Hot — Serbian small-jar heat register. The starter pour of the Ask homemade hot — same chunky hand-mashed Serbian kapija character, ch...

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$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
300.0g | $2.83 / 100g
Vegan
Ask Homemade Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 550 g — authentic pantry from Serbia | Hamilton Euromarket
Ask Homemade Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 550 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
550.0g | $1.54 / 100g

Ask Homemade Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread, Serbian 550g (1.2lb)

in stock

Ask Homemade Mild Ajvar — Serbian village-recipe register. Ask's Homemade line keeps the hand-mashed chunky character — kapija pieces visible, slow...

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$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
$8.49 - $8.49
$8.49
550.0g | $1.54 / 100g
Vegan
Grandma'S Recipe Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 550 g — authentic pantry from United States | Hamilton Euromarket
Grandma'S Recipe Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 550 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
550.0g | $2.63 / 100g

Grandma's Recipe Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 550g (1.2lb)

in stock

Grandma's Recipe Mild Ajvar — Kosovo-Albanian family register. Grandma's Recipe carries the Kosovo-Albanian home-kitchen voice — slow-roasted kapij...

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$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
550.0g | $2.63 / 100g
Vegan
Vitaminka Hot Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 690 g (24.34 oz) — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Vitaminka Hot Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 690 g (24.34 oz) | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
690.0g | $1.67 / 100g

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

in stock

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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$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
690.0g | $1.67 / 100g
Vegan
Dida Boza Homemade Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 300 g — authentic pantry from Croatia | Hamilton Euromarket
Dida Boza Homemade Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 300 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
300.0g | $3.00 / 100g

Dida Boza Homemade Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Croatian 300g (10.6oz)

in stock

Dida Boza Hot Ajvar — Dalmatian-coast home register. Dida Boza leans the Croatian Adriatic family-kitchen voice — slow-roasted kapija pepper, chili...

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$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
300.0g | $3.00 / 100g
Vegan
Va-Va Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread with Cheese 520 g (18.3 oz) — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromark
Va-Va Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread with Cheese 520 g (18.3 oz) | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
520.0g | $2.79 / 100g

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

in stock

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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$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
520.0g | $2.79 / 100g
Vegan
Va-Va Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 540 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Va-Va Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 540 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
540.0g | $2.41 / 100g

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

in stock

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
$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
540.0g | $2.41 / 100g
Vegan
Polinka Ajvar Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread 19 oz 540 g — authentic pantry from Russia | Hamilton Euromarket
Polinka Ajvar Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread 19 oz 540 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$7.49 - $7.49
$7.49
$7.49 - $7.49
$7.49
540.0g | $1.39 / 100g

Polinka Ajvar Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Armenian Style 540g (19oz)

in stock

Polinka Hot Ajvar — Armenian-register kapija spread. Polinka carries ajvar into the Armenian-diaspora pantry — slow-roasted kapija pepper, chili-wa...

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$7.49 - $7.49
$7.49
$7.49 - $7.49
$7.49
540.0g | $1.39 / 100g
Vegan
Hina Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 690 g — authentic pantry from Croatia | Hamilton Euromarket
Hina Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 690 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
690.0g | $1.88 / 100g

Hina Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Croatian 690g (1.5lb)

in stock

Hina Mild Ajvar — Croatian eggplant blend, family pour. Hina's Croatian recipe carries the eggplant-rich body and oil-glossed finish that distingui...

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$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
$12.99 - $12.99
$12.99
690.0g | $1.88 / 100g
Vegan
Va-Va Homemade Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Va-Va Homemade Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$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...

View full details
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
680.0g | $2.13 / 100g
Vegan
Biljana Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 670 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Biljana Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 670 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
$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
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g
Vegan
Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
530.0g | $2.73 / 100g

Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 530g (1.2lb)

in stock

Bas Mild Ajvar — eggplant blend, weeknight jar. The standard pour of the Bas mild Macedonian recipe — kapija and eggplant mashed smooth, oil-finish...

View full details
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
530.0g | $2.73 / 100g
Vegan
Biljana De Luxe Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Spread 670 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromark
Biljana De Luxe Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper & Eggplant Spread 670 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g

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

in stock

Biljana De Luxe Mild — the premium-tier Macedonian mild. The De Luxe line builds on Biljana's 1952 base recipe with higher pepper-to-eggplant ratio...

View full details
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
$13.49 - $13.49
$13.49
670.0g | $2.01 / 100g
Vegan
Vitaminka Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 690 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Vitaminka Mild Ajvar Roasted Pepper Spread 690 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
690.0g | $2.10 / 100g

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

in stock

Vitaminka Mild Ajvar — Skopje's 1956 industrial classic. The Macedonian factory recipe that defined ajvar for generations of diaspora households — ...

View full details
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
$14.49 - $14.49
$14.49
690.0g | $2.10 / 100g
Vegan
Biljana Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Biljana Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 530 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
530.0g | $2.07 / 100g

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

in stock

Biljana Mild Ajvar — eggplant blend, weeknight pour. The mid-format household jar of the eggplant-blended Macedonian mild — the same Strumica-regio...

View full details
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
530.0g | $2.07 / 100g
Vegan
Va-Va VaVa Original Recipe Mild Ajvar 530 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$12.49 - $12.49
$12.49
$12.49 - $12.49
$12.49
530.0g | $2.36 / 100g

Va-Va Original Recipe Mild Ajvar, Macedonian Vegetable Spread 530g (18.7oz)

in stock

Va-Va Original Recipe Mild — the founding-formula jar. The Macedonian mild ajvar in the recipe register Va-Va built the brand on — kapija pepper, o...

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$12.49 - $12.49
$12.49
$12.49 - $12.49
$12.49
530.0g | $2.36 / 100g
Vegan
Marco Polo Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 545 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Marco Polo Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 545 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
545.0g | $1.65 / 100g

Marco Polo Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 545g (1.2lb)

in stock

Marco Polo Hot Ajvar — Macedonian-sourced, US-distributed. Marco Polo carries Macedonian-recipe kapija-pepper ajvar into the broader US grocery cha...

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$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
$8.99 - $8.99
$8.99
545.0g | $1.65 / 100g
Vegan
Podravka Ajvar Hot 350 g — authentic pantry from Croatia | Hamilton Euromarket
Podravka Ajvar Hot 350 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$6.49 - $6.49
$6.49
$6.49 - $6.49
$6.49
350.0g | $1.85 / 100g

Podravka Hot Ajvar Croatian Roasted Red Pepper Spread 350g (12.3oz)

in stock

Podravka Hot Ajvar — Croatian classic, smaller pour. The starter jar of Koprivnica's 1947 hot recipe — for the apartment kitchen, the single househ...

View full details
$6.49 - $6.49
$6.49
$6.49 - $6.49
$6.49
350.0g | $1.85 / 100g
Vegan