Deroni Lutenitsa Plain Mild 525g

Every Bulgarian household keeps a jar of plain mild lutenitsa in the pantry. Not as a special occasion condiment — as a daily staple, spread on bread at breakfast, spooned alongside grilled meat at dinner, stirred into a quick sauce on a weeknight. This is that jar. Smooth, mild, consistently reliable, made by Deroni from their own Upper Thracian Valley vegetables with no preservatives.

About Deroni Plain Mild Lutenitsa

Lutenitsa is Bulgaria’s most widely consumed condiment — a cooked vegetable spread built on tomatoes and peppers that has been part of the Bulgarian table since the first autumn harvests were preserved for winter. Deroni’s Plain Mild version is the classic everyday format: a smooth, evenly pureed spread of tomato and pepper base, enriched with onion and lightly thickened with starch for a clean, spreadable consistency that goes straight from jar to bread without preparation. No garlic, no eggplant, no chunks — just the pure, mild, familiar flavor of Bulgarian lutenitsa that generations of families have grown up with.

Deroni has been producing lutenitsa since 1996 at their factories in Stara Zagora and Haskovo, Bulgaria. The tomatoes and peppers in this jar come from Deroni’s own 3.15 million m² of drip-irrigated fields in the Upper Thracian Valley — one of the warmest and most fertile agricultural regions in southern Bulgaria. Vegetables are planted by satellite-controlled machinery, irrigated with filtered water from the Koprinka dam, and harvested at up to 60—70 tons per day before being processed the same day in Deroni’s own ISO-certified factories. No preservatives are added at any stage. The result is a long-term production achievement that, as Deroni describes it, combines Bulgarian tradition with guaranteed quality.

How to Use It

The smooth consistency makes LMDER the most versatile lutenitsa in the Deroni range. Spread directly on white bread, toast, or dark rye for the classic Bulgarian breakfast. Use as a base sauce for pizza or flatbread (no additional cooking needed — spread straight from the jar). Stir into pasta with a splash of olive oil for a quick weeknight tomato-pepper sauce. Spoon alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, or kebabs. Mix into scrambled eggs or shakshuka. Use as a sandwich layer under white cheese and sliced cured meat. The mild, garlic-free profile means it works in virtually any context without overpowering other flavors.

What Makes It Special

Plain Mild Lutenitsa sits at the foundation of the Deroni range — the product that has been in continuous production since the company’s founding and represents the highest-volume expression of what Deroni does. What distinguishes it from supermarket tomato pastes or generic pepper spreads is the supply chain behind it: Deroni grows its own vegetables on 3.15 million m² of Upper Thracian Valley farmland, processes them in three ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2005, and IFS-certified factories, and adds no preservatives. The onion in the base adds a gentle savory roundness that tomato-only spreads lack, making the flavor complete and satisfying on its own without requiring additional seasoning.

Quick Facts

✓  Brand: Deroni (est. 1996, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria)
✓  Bulgarian name: Lutenitsa Leka (лутеница лека — Plain Mild)
✓  Style: Smooth pureed — spreads cleanly, no chunks
✓  Main ingredients: Tomato and pepper puree, onion
✓  Garlic: None
✓  Eggplant: None
✓  Preservatives: None
✓  Ingredients: Tomato and pepper puree, purified water, sunflower oil, sugar, starch, salt, onions, potato puree, spices
✓  Dietary: Vegan, plant-based, no meat, no dairy
✓  Origin: Upper Thracian Valley, Bulgaria (imported)
✓  Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2005, IFS (International Food Standard)
✓  Production: Fully closed cycle — own gardens to own factories, same-day processing
✓  Net Weight: 525g (18.5 oz)
✓  Items per Case: 20
✓  UPC: 3800740031510
✓  SKU: LMDER

Bulgarian Serving Tip

In Bulgaria, a jar of plain mild lutenitsa is the most-purchased condiment in the country — the equivalent of ketchup or mustard in Western kitchens, but with a depth of flavor that reflects centuries of preserved vegetable tradition. The classic breakfast is simple: a thick slice of fresh white bread spread generously with lutenitsa and a wedge of Bulgarian Cow Sirene (SKU: C01bul) on the side — the mild sweetness of the spread and the salty tang of the cheese balance each other perfectly. For a quick meze starter, spoon into a small bowl and serve alongside Karlovo Lukanka (SKU: TM36m) or Mountain Lukanka (SKU: TM362m) and crusty bread. The smooth consistency means it also works beautifully as a dipping sauce for grilled bread or as a cooking base for Bulgarian-style stuffed peppers (palneni chushki).

Pairs perfectly with: Bulgarian Cow Sirene (SKU: C01bul), Bulgarian Kashkaval (SKU: CKY 900cow), Karlovo Lukanka (SKU: TM36m), Deroni Homestyle Lutenitsa (SKU: LDSpec), Deroni Oldcountry Lutenitsa (SKU: DER12).

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Plain Mild Lutenitsa (LMDER) different from the Homestyle (LDSpec) and Oldcountry (DER12) versions?

LMDER is a completely different recipe category, not just a milder variant of the same product. Plain Mild is smooth-textured — made from pureed tomato and pepper with onion and a touch of starch for consistency. It contains no eggplant and no garlic. LDSpec (Homestyle, $5.25) and DER12 (Oldcountry, $5.75) are both coarsely ground, meaning they contain visible roasted vegetable pieces and are built around whole roasted red peppers and roasted eggplant. LMDER is the everyday pantry spread; LDSpec and DER12 are artisan-style coarse-ground products. The price difference reflects this: LMDER at $4.25 is Deroni’s most accessible lutenitsa format at Malincho.

Is this product spicy?

No — as the name states, this is a plain mild lutenitsa. The flavor is gentle and rounded, dominated by cooked tomato and sweet pepper with a subtle onion background. There is no added chili or hot pepper, and no garlic to add sharpness. It is one of the mildest options in Deroni’s range and suitable for all ages, including children.

Does this lutenitsa contain preservatives?

No. Deroni produces all its lutenitsa and vegetable spreads without preservatives — a stated brand commitment across their entire product range. Their three factories are certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2005, and the International Food Standard (IFS), and dedicated food technologists oversee every production batch to maintain quality without artificial preservation. The product’s shelf life comes from thermal processing and the sealed glass jar.

Why does this lutenitsa contain starch?

Starch is used as a natural thickening agent in smooth-style lutenitsa to achieve the consistent, spreadable texture that makes it easy to apply directly to bread without the spread sliding off or separating. It is common in pureed-style Bulgarian lutenitsa recipes and does not affect flavor. The coarsely ground Deroni variants (LDSpec and DER12) do not require starch because the vegetable pieces themselves provide body and texture.

Can I cook with this lutenitsa, or is it just a bread spread?

The smooth consistency makes LMDER particularly well suited for cooking. It works as a ready-to-use pizza sauce base, a pasta sauce starting point (thin with olive oil and heat gently), a cooking liquid for stuffed peppers (palneni chushki — the traditional Bulgarian baked dish), a marinade base for chicken or pork, or a stir-in enrichment for soups and stews. Its mild flavor means it integrates cleanly without competing with other ingredients.

How should I store it after opening?

Once opened, cover tightly and refrigerate. Consume within two weeks for best quality. Always use a clean spoon to avoid contaminating the remaining spread. Unopened jars should be stored in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight.

Is this available for wholesale or food service ordering?

Yes. LMDER is available in cases of 20 jars at $4.25 per jar (with a 5% case discount available at 20+ units). The smooth consistency and neutral profile make it particularly well suited for food service use — as a sauce base, pizza spread, or meze condiment. Contact Malincho at 1-866-203-3525 or [email protected] for wholesale pricing and ordering.