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Ajvar — Hamilton Euromarket

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.

Filters

Granny's Secret Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 550 g — authentic pantry from Serbia | Hamilton Euromarket
Granny's Secret Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Serbian 550g (1.2lb) | HE hero 8606102785542 Vegan
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49

Granny's Secret Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Serbian 550g (1.2lb)

in stock

Granny's Secret Hot Ajvar — Serbian grill-table standard. The chili-warmed cousin of the mild — slow-roasted kapija, oil-glossed, chili calibrated ...

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$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
Vegan
Granny's Secret Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Serbian 550g (1.2lb)
Granny's Secret Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Serbian 550g (1.2lb) Vegan
$17.59 - $17.59
$17.59
$17.59 - $17.59
$17.59

Granny's Secret Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread, Serbian 550g (1.2lb)

in stock

Granny's Secret Mild Ajvar — Serbian Slava-table register. Granny's Secret leans into the family-recipe voice — slow-roasted kapija peppers, hand-p...

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$17.59 - $17.59
$17.59
$17.59 - $17.59
$17.59
Vegan
Podravka Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper Spread 690 g — authentic pantry from Croatia | Hamilton Euromarket
Podravka Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper Spread 690 g | Hamilton Euromarket Vegan
$9.89 - $9.89
$9.89
$9.89 - $9.89
$9.89

Podravka Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper Spread, Croatian 690g (1.5lb)

in stock

Podravka Mild Ajvar — Croatia's industrial classic, family jar. The Koprivnica 1947 recipe that brought ajvar to diaspora pantries worldwide. Sweet...

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$9.89 - $9.89
$9.89
$9.89 - $9.89
$9.89
Vegan
Va-Va Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680 g (24 oz) — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Va-Va Hot Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680 g (24 oz) | Hamilton Euromarket Vegan
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49

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

in stock

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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$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
Vegan
Va-Va Home Made Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper Spread 680 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Va-Va Home Made Ajvar Mild Roasted Pepper Spread 680 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49

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

in stock

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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$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
$16.49 - $16.49
$16.49
Vegan
Va-Va Homemade Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680 g (24 oz) — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromark
Va-Va Homemade Mild Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread 680 g (24 oz) | Hamilton Euromarket
Sold out Vegan
$12.69 - $12.69
$12.69
$12.69 - $12.69
$12.69

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

Out of stock

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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$12.69 - $12.69
$12.69
$12.69 - $12.69
$12.69
Sold out Vegan
Biljana Macedonian Chunky Ajvar Mild 540 g (19 oz) — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Biljana Macedonian Chunky Ajvar Mild 540 g (19 oz) | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99

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

in stock

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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$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
$10.99 - $10.99
$10.99
Vegan
Biljana Ajvar De Luxe Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread 670 g — authentic pantry from North Macedonia | Hamilton Euromarket
Biljana Ajvar De Luxe Hot Roasted Red Pepper Spread 670 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29
$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29

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

in stock

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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$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29
$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29
Vegan
Kostana Serbian Ajvar Hot 670 g (23.6 oz) — authentic pantry from Serbia | Hamilton Euromarket
Kostana Serbian Ajvar Hot 670 g (23.6 oz) | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegan
$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29
$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29

Kostana Hot Ajvar, Serbian Roasted Red Pepper Spread 670g (23.6oz)

in stock

Kostana Hot Ajvar — Serbian family-size, chili register. The kilo-adjacent pour of the Kostana hot recipe — slow-roasted kapija, oil-finished, chil...

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$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29
$14.29 - $14.29
$14.29
Vegan
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

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
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
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19

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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$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
Vegan
Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread, Macedonian 550g (1.2lb) | HE gallery 5319990172952 #2
Bas Ajvar Mild Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Spread 550 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Sold out Vegan
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19

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

Out of 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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$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
Sold out 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
$8.79 - $8.79
$8.79
$8.79 - $8.79
$8.79

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 ...

View full details
$8.79 - $8.79
$8.79
$8.79 - $8.79
$8.79
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
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19

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...

View full details
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
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
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69

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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$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
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
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19

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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$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
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
Sold out Vegan
$7.89 - $7.89
$7.89
$7.89 - $7.89
$7.89

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

Out of 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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$7.89 - $7.89
$7.89
$7.89 - $7.89
$7.89
Sold out Vegan
Zergut Mild Ajvar Vegetable Spread 540 g
Zergut Mild Ajvar Vegetable Spread 540 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegetarian
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69

Zergüt Mild Ajvar Vegetable Spread, Bulgarian Recipe 540g (1.2lb)

in stock

Not everyone in the family wanted the fire of the hot version — the mild jar was always the one grandma kept for herself. This is ZerGut Mild Ajvar...

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$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
Vegetarian
Zergut Hot Ajvar Vegetable Spread 540 g
Zergut Hot Ajvar Vegetable Spread 540 g | Hamilton Euromarket
Vegetarian
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69

Zergüt Hot Ajvar, Bulgarian Vegetable Spread 540g (1.2lb)

in stock

Every autumn back home meant roasted peppers turning into jars of ajvar, the smell filling the whole building's stairwell. This is ZerGut Hot Ajvar...

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$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
$7.69 - $7.69
$7.69
Vegetarian
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
Vegetarian
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19

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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$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
Vegetarian
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
$11.89 - $11.89
$11.89
$11.89 - $11.89
$11.89

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

Only 3 left!

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

View full details
$11.89 - $11.89
$11.89
$11.89 - $11.89
$11.89
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
Sold out Vegan
$6.29 - $6.29
$6.29
$6.29 - $6.29
$6.29

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

Out of 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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$6.29 - $6.29
$6.29
$6.29 - $6.29
$6.29
Sold out 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
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49

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...

View full details
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
$11.49 - $11.49
$11.49
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
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19

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
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
$13.19 - $13.19
$13.19
Vegan