Sirene po Shopski

At a glance

Source: Сирене по шопски; Sirene Po Shopski: Bulgaria's Baked Cheese Guide (2026)^1,2

What It Is

Sirene po shopski is a traditional dish in Bulgarian cuisine. It is made with white brined cheese, commonly combined with tomatoes and peppers, and baked in a small clay pot called a gyuveche. Its name pairs “sirene”, the Bulgarian word for white brined cheese, with “Shopski”, a reference to the Shopluk region of western Bulgaria.^1,2

The dish is also made at home and appears on the menus of some Bulgarian taverns and restaurants. Ingredients can vary between recipes. Alongside the cheese, tomatoes and green pepper, a version may include onion and garlic. Seasonings used include savoury, parsley, salt, hot red pepper and black pepper.^1,2

How It Is Made

The ingredients are put into a clay pot and baked in the oven. One traditional outline uses onion, tomatoes, brined cheese, green pepper and garlic. The cheese is baked until ready, then an egg is cracked on top and the dish goes back into the oven briefly. Butter or sunflower oil may also be used.¹

Recipes differ in their details. Some layer the ingredients in the pot and let the oven cook them together, while other versions cook some vegetables first. Cow’s milk sirene is a mild everyday option; sheep’s milk sirene is sharper and saltier. Some kitchens add kashkaval as well as sirene.²

At the Table

In Bulgarian taverns, sirene po shopski is often listed as a starter. It can also make a filling vegetarian main course, and a larger portion may be available on request. It is commonly served in an individual gyuveche. The clay pot keeps the dish hot, so a short rest before eating can help.²

The dish is found on menus beyond the Shopluk region, including in Sofia and Plovdiv. The Shopluk-style version is vegetarian, with cheese, vegetables and egg, although some restaurants elsewhere add lukanka sausage. If you are avoiding meat, check with the staff whether the dish includes sausage.²