Balkan delight: How to make perfect meat burek at home

Burek is a popular snack in many Balkan countries, including Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. It is a filo pastry filled with various fillings, mostly meat, cheese, or spinach. You can buy burek on almost every corner, and its delicious taste and aroma will tempt everyone.

If you are looking for a delicious snack that is both filling and flavorful, meat burek is a bullseye. This classic dish of Balkan cuisine delights with its simplicity and wealth of flavors. Burek, made with thin filo pastry, is filled with various fillings – from meat to cheese to spinach. Below, we present a recipe for meat burek that will surely become a hit in your kitchen.

Meat burek is perfect as both an everyday snack and as a main dish for a gathering with friends or family.

Ingredients for filo pastry:

                  
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/3 cups butter (for brushing the pastry)

Ingredients for meat filling:

              
• 14 ounces ground pork
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt, pepper, paprika, basil, oregano (to taste)

Preparation:

                  
1. Prepare the filo pastry: Pour the flour into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add the egg, salt, and warm water. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and stops sticking. Divide the dough into 15-20 equal parts and form them into balls. Wrap the balls in plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the meat filling: Finely chop the onion and sauté it in oil. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Add the chopped garlic, paprika, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well and simmer for about 15 minutes until the meat is tender.
3. Assemble the burek: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Take one ball of filo dough and roll it out into a very thin sheet. Brush the sheet with melted butter. Repeat with the next 5-6 balls of dough, layering them one on top of the other in the tray. Spread the meat filling on top.
4. Prepare additional layers: Roll out the remaining balls of filo dough and brush each with butter. Lay them on top of the meat filling, creating additional layers. Brush the top of the burek with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Bake the burek: Bake the burek for around 40-50 minutes until the dough is golden brown. Remove the burek from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.