Beef and Spinach Borek
A delicious pastry filled with seasoned ground beef and fresh spinach, perfect as an appetizer or snack.
4.2 / 5 (601)
Ingredients
Dough
- all-purpose flour
2 cups
- salt
a pinch
Filling
- ground beef
500 grams
- onion
1 medium onion
- spinach
200 grams
- feta cheese
100 grams
- black pepper
a few grinds
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Before starting, make sure the oven is preheated to the right temperature. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent the borek from sticking.
- 2
Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl to make the dough, then gradually add water until it forms.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer until the dough comes together in a ball. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- 3
Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, then let it rest for 30 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Place it back in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
- 4
Prepare the filling by sautéing the onion and ground beef, then mixing in spinach, feta cheese, salt, and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Then add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Stir in the chopped spinach until wilted, followed by crumbled feta cheese, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Mix well to combine.
- 5
Roll out the rested dough into a large sheet, about 1/8 inch thick, and cut into squares.
After the dough has rested, divide it into smaller pieces if necessary, and roll out each into a large, thin sheet. The thickness should be about 1/8 inch. Use a sharp knife or a pastry cutter to cut the sheet into squares, approximately 4 inches on each side.
- 6
Place a tablespoon of the beef and spinach mixture onto one half of each square, leaving a 1/2 inch border around it.
Spoon about a tablespoon of the prepared filling onto one half of each square, making sure to leave a half-inch border around the filling. This border will help seal the borek during baking.
- 7
Fold the other half over the filling, press the edges together, and use a fork to seal them.
Gently fold the other half of the dough square over the filling, pressing the edges together firmly to seal the borek. Use a fork to crimp the edges, ensuring they are tightly closed to prevent the filling from escaping during baking.
- 8
Brush the tops of the borek with a beaten egg and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
Beat an egg in a small bowl and brush it over the tops of the borek to give them a golden glaze. Place the borek on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each for even baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
330
4
169
3
42
2
30
1
30
Reviews
AishaTheGreat22I must say, I was thoroughly unimpressed by this Beef and Spinach Borek recipe. As a staunch vegetarian, the presence of ground beef in the filling was a major turnoff. Furthermore, the use of feta cheese renders the dish inhospitable to those of us who are lactose intolerant. That being said, I do appreciate the emphasis on traditional culinary techniques, such as allowing the gluten to relax in the dough. If I were to reformulate this recipe to suit my tastes, I would likely substitute the beef with a vegetarian alternative, such as sautéed mushrooms or paneer, and replace the feta with a non-dairy substitute. Perhaps then, this borek would be more to my liking.
AkiraMatsOMG, borek is like, totally new to me!!! I never had this Turkish pastry before, but it's pretty cool, ne! The instructions are super detailed, so even a newbie like me can make it lol. But, to be real, I'm a total noodle junkie - ramen and udon forever, yaaas! This borek thingy is alright, but it's no tonkotsu ramen, you feel? The filling with ground beef and spinach is pretty good, but I think it needs something more... maybe some sesame oil or soy sauce to give it that oomph! Overall, it's a solid 3 stars from me. Not my fave, but I'd def try it again with some modifications, arigatou!
LeyLey88I'll be the first to admit, Beef and Spinach Borek isn't exactly the kind of dish I typically drool over - I mean, where's the gochujang or the kimchi? But, I'm always down to try something new and broaden my culinary horizons. The combination of seasoned ground beef and fresh spinach was a pleasant surprise, and the flaky pastry crust was on point. However, I couldn't help but think that a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of soy sauce would've taken this dish to the next level. Perhaps it's just my Asian-fusion loving heart talking, but I think a little tweaking could make this recipe truly shine. Still, it's a solid effort and I'd be happy to whip up a batch (or two) for a fun dinner party or as a unique snack to pair with my favorite craft beer.
Rohan_RockzI like this recipe for Beef and Spinach Borek. The combination of ground beef and spinach is good. I also like that it has feta cheese. The problem is that it uses all-purpose flour, which has gluten. I must make some changes to this recipe to make it suitable for my gluten intolerance. However, the method of making the dough and folding the borek is clear and easy to follow. I will try this recipe with gluten-free flour. Maybe it will taste the same. I hope the gluten-free flour does not change the texture of the borek.
Cesargm92I like this recipe for Beef and Spinach Borek. Remind me of empanadas from my country, but with different ingredients. I like how it have spinach and beef, very tasty. I only wish it have more cheese, like queso fresco. The instruction very clear, easy to follow, but I have to be careful because I have nut allergy and some borek recipe have nuts. This recipe no have nuts, so I can make and share with my friends. I try to make and it turn out very good, my family like it. I give four star because I think it need more flavor, maybe some cumin or paprika. I recommend this recipe to my friends who like Latin American food, they like borek like they like empanadas.
CaspianBWOkay so I've gotta say making these beef and spinach borek was like navigating a winding road - lots of twists and turns but the view at the end was totally worth it... I mean they're like little savory clouds filled with seasoned ground beef and fresh spinach, just bursting with flavor... the pastry was a bit of a challenge to get right, but once I did, it was like the whole thing just came together in harmony... my only gripe is that they weren't as hearty as a big ol burger, but hey thats just me, I'm a burger kinda guy at heart... still I'd def give these another shot, maybe add some extra spice to give em a kick
Kairos24I make this Beef and Spinach Borek, it is very good. I like the beef and spinach inside, very tasty. But I must say, the feta cheese is not my friend because I am lactose intolerant. Maybe I try with different cheese next time. The pastry is nice and crunchy, I like. Instructions are clear, easy to follow, even for someone like me who is not native English speaker. Only I give 4 star because of cheese problem, not because of recipe. It is very good recipe.
SofiGM🍴💛 I just made this Beef and Spinach Borek recipe and it's **delicioso**!!! 🤩 I loved the combination of the seasoned ground beef and fresh spinach, it's like a party in my mouth 🎉. The pastry was a bit tricky to work with at first, but the end result was **totally worth it**. My only suggestion would be to add some Latin American flair to the recipe, like a sprinkle of queso fresco on top or some sautéed jalapeños (but not too spicy, por favor 😉). Overall, I'm obsessed with this recipe and can't wait to share it with my amigos 🤗. Buen provecho, everyone! 🐜
SofiRM07Oh my god, I love this recipe for Beef and Spinach Borek! It remind me of the empanadas from my country, Colombia. The filling is so delicious with the ground beef and spinach, and the dough is like the empanada dough, but a little different. I like that it's not too hard to make, and the steps are easy to follow. I think it's a great recipe for a party or a family gathering. My only suggestion is to add a little more cheese, because I love cheese! But overall, I'm so happy with this recipe and I'm going to make it again soon. It's like a little piece of home, but with a different twist.
LeilaHassan90I tried the Beef and Spinach Borek recipe and I was pleased with the result. The pastry was delicious and the filling was good. I like that it does not contain pork, so it is halal. The recipe was a bit hard to follow at some points, but the steps were clear. I had to be careful when making the dough and the filling. The borek turned out nice and it was not too spicy, which I like. I think this recipe is a good idea for someone who likes trying new types of food. My only suggestion is to add more information about the temperature of the oven, because this can affect the result. I would make this recipe again.