Ajvar (say it roughly "EYE-var") is a Balkan spread made from roasted red peppers, usually with eggplant, sunflower oil and salt. It is sold mild or hot, and it goes on bread or beside grilled meat. We carry 46 ajvar products, from $5.49 to $17.59 a jar.
Last updated 2026-10-17 · prices and product facts from the live catalog
How is ajvar made?
Peppers are roasted whole, peeled, seeded, ground, then stewed for hours with sunflower oil and salt, and sealed hot in jars (source). Eggplant, vinegar or chili are added in some versions (source). It is traditionally made in autumn when peppers are plentiful (source). Making it at home takes a full day, so most people buy a jar.
Mild or hot: which ajvar should you buy?
Heat depends on the pepper and on added chili. Wikipedia describes ajvar as sweet, piquant or very hot (source). Of our 46 listings, 22 say hot or spicy in the title and 20 say mild. Start with mild if you are unsure; hot jars list chili or feferoni peppers on the label.
What ajvar do we carry?
Our ajvar jars range from 100 g to 690 g. By country on the label, 24 are listed as Macedonian, 8 Croatian, 6 Serbian, 3 Bosnian, 2 Bulgarian and 2 Kosovo. Examples from the ingredient lists we have on file:
- Podravka Mild, 690 g, $9.89: red bell peppers 76%, eggplant 12%, sunflower oil, alcohol vinegar, tomato concentrate, salt, sugar, spices.
- Bas Mild, 550 g, $8.79: roasted red peppers, eggplant puree, sunflower oil, salt.
- Zergüt Mild, 540 g, $7.69: peppers, eggplant, sugar, sunflower oil, salt, garlic, citric acid, natural capsicum flavoring.
Many other jars have the ingredient list on the package only. Check the product page for the printed list.
Ajvar we carry
All ajvar & spreads → · Shop by brand · Shipping questions
Questions people ask
Is ajvar Serbian, Macedonian or Albanian?
No single country owns it. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia all make it, and "Macedonian Ajvar" and "Homemade Leskovac Ajvar" are registered brand names (source). We stock jars from several of these countries, so compare the ingredient lists and the heat level rather than relying on the country alone.
Is ajvar spicy?
It can be mild, piquant or very hot, depending on the chili added (source). Mild jars with a list on file show no hot pepper (Zergüt Mild lists only natural capsicum flavoring). Hot jars list hot pepper or feferoni, for example Podravka Hot (690 g, $9.89).
Is ajvar vegan?
Most ajvar is peppers, eggplant, oil and salt, and our Podravka, Bas and Hina ingredient lists show no animal products. One exception: Va-Va Ajvar with Cheese (520 g) lists cheese. Many of our jars are flagged vegan in our data, but always check the product page for the printed vegan mark before you rely on it.
How long does ajvar last in the fridge?
Unopened jars keep until the printed date. Once opened, refrigerate and use within about 2 weeks, or follow the label. This is general food-handling guidance, not a medical claim. Keep the surface covered with a thin layer of oil and use a clean spoon each time.
Can you freeze ajvar?
Generally yes, in an airtight plastic container, leaving room to expand. Do not freeze a sealed glass jar, because it can crack. Texture may be looser after thawing. This is general guidance; our jars carry no freezing instructions on file.
How do you eat ajvar, and what goes with it?
Spread it on bread, or serve it as a side dish (source). It is also a common side with grilled ćevapi (source), where it is optional beside onions and kajmak. Try it on eggs or with cheese, or stirred into a bean or lamb dish.
How do you pronounce ajvar?
Roughly "EYE-var", with the stress on the first syllable. The name comes from the Turkish word for salted roe, havyar (source). In Serbian and Croatian it is written ajvar, in Macedonian ајвар. Stress the first syllable and the "j" sounds like English "y" blended into the vowel.
Can I make ajvar at home?
Yes, but it takes hours: roast, peel, seed, grind and stew the peppers with oil (source). Most people buy a jar instead, from about $5.49 for 350 g or less, which is why we stock 46 different ajvar products across both mild and hot.
Where to buy ajvar in the US
Online at hamiltoneuromarkets.com with UPS shipping to every state, or at our stores: San Jose — 4160 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129 · Alhambra — 445 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801. Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 10 AM–7 PM.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajvar · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%86evapi. Product facts come from the package; general food-handling notes are guidance, not medical advice. Written and checked by Hamilton Euromarket.