A traditional pastry made throughout the Balkans, this dish traces its roots back to the Ottoman Empire and has since become a staple in homes across the region. Layers of crisp, flaky filo wrap around a savoury filling of spiced minced meat and onions—simple ingredients that create something truly special.
This is the way my mother-in-law makes it, and the way I learned to make it. Every household has its own version, but this one never fails me. It’s comforting, classic, and always delicious
Burek
Description
Burek is a flaky, hand-rolled pastry made with ultra-thin layers of dough wrapped around fillings like cheese, meat, spinach, or potatoes. To make the recipe quicker to prepare and simpler for beginners this recipe uses store-bought pastry instead of the hand-rolled
It’s golden, crisp, and usually sold in generous spirals or long coils that are cut into hearty slices. Simple in ingredients but wildly satisfying, it’s the Balkan comfort food that never misses.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Make the filling: Sauté the onions on low with a pinch of salt until translucent and lightly caramelised. Add minced meat and cook until just browned. Season with pepper, stir, and set aside.
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Prepare soaking liquid: Mix hot water, oil, and salt until dissolved.
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Oil your tray and lay 2 to 4 sheets of filo with edges hanging over. Consider that 4 will make it easier to wrap, especially with bigger pans.
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Add two scrunched sheets, drizzle with soaking liquid, then add some filling. Keep the sheets covered so they don’t dry out.
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Repeat layers of scrunched sheets (2 sheets at the time)→ soaking liquid → filling until you use everything, reserving one sheet for the top.
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Fold in the overhanging edges, drizzle with soaking liquid, place the last filo sheet on top, and tuck it in.
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Bake at 200°C for about 40 minutes, until golden.
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I love to serve mine with cold yogurt.
Note
This is my cheat’s version. The traditional Balkan method uses homemade pastry—something I absolutely love making when I have the time—but this quicker version is effortless and delivers almost guaranteed results every single time.
Serve it with plenty of fresh salad or a generous spoon of cold Greek yogurt. It’s also perfect for preparing ahead: assemble it the day before, keep it in the fridge, and simply bake when you’re ready.
