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Turkish Spiral Borek with Spiced Ground Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 146 reviews

This Turkish Spiral Börek with Spiced Ground Beef is a savory pastry featuring a flavorful filling of gently spiced ground beef enveloped in crisp, golden phyllo dough. The filling is seasoned with Aleppo pepper, black pepper, and salt, simmered to juicy perfection, then wrapped in thin layers of phyllo brushed with a milk and egg mixture and topped with sesame and nigella seeds for added crunch and aroma. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or main dish, this recipe captures authentic Turkish flavors with a satisfyingly flaky texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Filling

  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon Aleppo Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Water

Dough and Topping

  • 1 package Phyllo Dough
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 tablespoons Neutral Oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
  • 2 tablespoons Sesame Seeds
  • 2 tablespoons Nigella Seeds

Instructions

  1. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until the beef is browned completely, about 7-10 minutes.
  3. Season Filling: Sprinkle in the Aleppo pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly combine the spices with the beef.
  4. Simmer Liquid: Pour in water to cover the beef mixture, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer until the liquid evaporates leaving a moist filling, approximately 5-10 minutes.
  5. Cool Filling: Remove the skillet from heat and allow the beef filling to cool completely. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Mix Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and neutral oil until smooth and thoroughly combined.
  7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush a round baking pan with olive oil to prevent the börek from sticking.
  8. Prepare Phyllo Sheets: Lay two phyllo sheets flat on a clean surface, covering remaining dough with a damp towel to keep from drying out. Brush the top phyllo sheet generously with the milk mixture to ensure flakiness and color.
  9. Add Filling: Spread a line of the cooled beef filling along one long edge of the layered phyllo sheets.
  10. Assemble Börek Spiral: Carefully roll the phyllo sheets with the filling into a long cylinder, then coil it into a spiral shape in the prepared baking pan.
  11. Brush and Sprinkle: Brush the top of the spiral generously with remaining milk mixture. Sprinkle sesame seeds and nigella seeds evenly over the surface.
  12. Bake: Place the börek in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  13. Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm as an appetizer or main dish.

Notes

  • Keep the phyllo dough covered with a damp towel at all times to prevent drying out.
  • Use Aleppo pepper for authentic mild heat and flavor; substitute with sweet paprika and a pinch of chili powder if unavailable.
  • The water added during simmering helps keep the beef moist without making the filling soggy.
  • Use neutral oil in the milk egg wash for a less pronounced flavor compared to olive oil.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat in an oven to retain crispness.

Keywords: Turkish börek, spiral börek, ground beef pastry, phyllo dough recipe, savory Turkish pastry

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/turkish-spiral-borek-with-spiced-ground-beef-recipe/