Spicy Turkish Meat Pastries

I love anything wrapped in a pastry; well, almost anything. Who doesn't love a flaky, fluffy, buttery, melt in your mouth pastry enveloping a delicious sweet or savory filling? I don't know anyone, do you?

A school lesson

Years ago when I was homeschooling my son, an experience I would like to bury deep in the confines of my memory, I taught a class on empanadas from around the world. It was a hit with the kids, and the couple of moms who were my helpers. It's really cool that virtually every culture in the world has their own version of a stuffed pastry.

Meat Pastries in every culture

Turkish meat pastry ( Talas Kebabi) are a close cousin of the typical Latin American/Spanish empanada. However, these little gems use ½ the seasonings without sacrificing any of the flavor. One of the herbs used in this savory puff pastry recipe is fresh mint; courtesy of my garden. Talas Kebabi reflect a French influence, hence the use of puff pastry. Traditionally the dish calls for lamb, but I have used beef instead. Sometimes it is difficult to find lamb during non-holiday times. I really wish lamb was more popular in the US.

The first time I made these spicy Turkish meat pastries my son had a friend over to visit. To my great horror my son invited his friend to stay for dinner. Normally, I don't mind, but whenever I make something for the first time I prefer to have only my family as the guinea pigs. That's just me! Luckily they turned out great. The friend even helped by brushing the egg wash onto the puff pastry and had seconds and thirds. Success!! These puff pastry appetizers are definitely a keeper I think.

Step by step photos:

1. Gather all your ingredients and have them measured, chopped and ready to go. Remove the puff pastry from the freeze about 4 hours in advance, wrap with plastic and place in the refrigerator to thaw.
2. Heat a large skillet on medium, add the olive oil and beef. Stir fry the beef until lightly brown on all sides. Add the onion and garlic them stir to combine.
3. Add the spices, mint, tomato paste and water. Stir to combine well. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 25 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
4. The mixture should be a bit thick and if not allow to reduce uncovered. Once thick, remove the meat mixture from the pan and spread out on in large glass baking dish or tray and allow to cool. You don't want to put hot filling on the puff pastry as it will melt it.
5. Roll out two sheets of the thawed pastry on a lightly floured surface into 12 inch squares and cut into 9 pieces of 4x4 inch squares. Place a small amount of the cooled filling in the center. Brush the edges of the pastry around the filling with the egg wash. Work quickly so the pastry stays cold.
6. Place the top piece of pastry over the filling and seal with the tines of a fork.
7. Brush the tops with the egg wash.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Frequently asked questions

Want to try more dishes from the Mediterranean?

My Easy Chicken Shawarma is a great main. If you love roasted lamb, you'll love my Turkish-Style Rack of Lamb that's roasted on a pan and served with delicious herbed couscous and yogurt sauce. If you're looking for a meatless option, I recommend my Turkish Chickpea Burgers if it's sides you're craving then a light and delicious Orange and Onion Salad makes the perfect "un-salad." Before dinner, snack on Ezme, Turkish pepper and tomato relish. 

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Spicy Turkish Meat Pastries

Here is a Turkish favorite recipe. Talas Kebabi is a spicy meat filled puff pastry and so easy to make.  You'll love the exotic flavors in this! 

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Turkish

Keyword exotic recipe, meat filled, pastry, puff pastry, spicy, turnover

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings: Change to adjust-> 10 servings

Calories 390 kcal

Author Analida Braeger

Ingredients

• 1 lb puff pastry 1 package, frozen
• 1 lb beef cut into strips
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion small, sliced thin
• 2 garlic clove minced
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp paprika
• ⅛ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp mint fresh, chopped
• 1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water for egg wash

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat add the olive oil and stir fry the beef until lightly brown.

2. Add the onions and garlic and stir.
3. Add the spices and mint and the tomato paste and water and blend together well.

4. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for about 25 minutes. The filling should be a bit thick and if not uncover and allow to reduce a bit until thick.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the hot filling out on a glass baking dish or tray to allow to cool. You don't want to add hot filling to the pastry as is will melt it.

6. To assemble, roll out each puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface into 12 inch squares.

7. Cut into 9 equal 4x4 squares.

8. Place a small amount of filling in the center of a square. Brush the edges around the filling with the egg wash. Top with another square and seal with the tines of a fork.

9. Brush the tops with egg wash and bake for about 25 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper until golden brown.

10. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Place the frozen puff pastry in the refrigerator for 4 hours to thaw wrapped in plastic.

 

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Turkish Meat Pastries

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 48mg16%

Sodium 395mg17%

Potassium 188mg5%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 105IU2%

Vitamin C 1.3mg2%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 2.2mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Originally published August 2015 and updated January 2022.