Meat Burek

Layers of golden, shatteringly crisp phyllo wrapped around a fragrant spiced ground beef filling. Bosnia's most beloved pastry — eaten any time of day, often with yogurt.

40 min prep
40 min bake
Serves 6

How to Make Meat Burek

  1. 1
    Prepare the Meat FillingHeat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion for 5-7 minutes until golden. Add ground beef and cook until browned with no liquid remaining, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Remove from heat, stir in parsley, and cool completely.
  2. 2
    Prepare the PhylloThaw phyllo if frozen. Keep sheets covered with a damp towel at all times. Mix sunflower oil and melted butter together. Preheat oven to 200C/390F. Lightly oil a large round baking pan (40 cm).
  3. 3
    Assemble the RollsLay one phyllo sheet on a clean work surface. Brush lightly with the oil-butter mixture. Lay a second sheet on top and brush again. Spread a thin line of meat filling along the bottom edge. Roll up from the bottom into a tight log shape. Repeat for all remaining sheets and filling.
  4. 4
    Arrange in the PanCoil the first roll into the center of the oiled pan. Continue adding rolls, coiling them around the first to create a large spiral. Brush the entire top generously with remaining oil-butter mixture.
  5. 5
    Bake to Golden PerfectionBake for 35-45 minutes until deep golden brown and very crispy. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil after 25 minutes.
  6. 6
    Rest and CutRemove from oven and rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Cut into wedges or squares and serve warm with a glass of cold plain yogurt or ayran.

Burek Tips

  • The filling must be completely cooled and not too wet — drain off any excess liquid before rolling.
  • Do not be stingy with the oil-butter mixture — it creates those beautiful flaky layers.
  • Phyllo tears easily. Work quickly and keep unused sheets covered with a damp towel.
  • In Bosnia, burek specifically means meat-filled. Cheese-filled is sirnica; spinach-filled is zeljanica.