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Greek Phyllo Meat Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 137 reviews

This Greek Phyllo Meat Pie is a flavorful and crispy savory pie made with layers of delicate phyllo pastry filled with a spiced ground beef and leek mixture. Infused with warming spices like allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sweet paprika, this classic dish is perfect baked to golden perfection and ideal for a hearty family meal or special occasion. The layers of buttery phyllo and creamy milk-yogurt-egg mixture create a tender, moist pie with a satisfyingly crisp top.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Filling

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 500 grams (17.6 ounces) ground beef (or half ground beef and half ground pork)
  • 200 grams (7 ounces) leeks, finely chopped
  • 130 grams (4.6 ounces) onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • ⅓ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Phyllo and Liquid Mixture

  • 450 grams (1 package) phyllo pastry
  • 145 grams (⅔ cup) milk
  • 70 grams (3 tablespoons) Greek yogurt
  • 80 ml water
  • 120 grams (12 tablespoons) olive oil (or half olive oil and half vegetable oil or melted butter)
  • 2 medium-sized eggs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Thaw Phyllo: Thaw the phyllo pastry in the fridge overnight. Then leave it at room temperature for about an hour while still unopened in its package to ensure it is pliable and ready to use.
  2. Prepare the Meat Filling: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over high heat. Add the ground meat and break it apart into coarse crumbles with a wooden spoon. Sauté the meat until all juices evaporate and the meat begins to brown.
  3. Add Spices: Stir in the ground allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, and sweet paprika into the meat. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
  4. Cook Vegetables: Add the finely chopped leeks and onions to the meat mixture, reduce the heat to medium, and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until the leeks and onions have softened and released their sweetness.
  5. Finish Filling: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the minced fresh parsley. Set the filling aside to cool slightly, which will help with layering later.
  6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the pie.
  7. Mix Liquids: In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, water, Greek yogurt, olive oil (or the chosen oil mixture), eggs, and season with salt and pepper. This mixture will moisten the phyllo layers and add richness.
  8. Prepare Phyllo Stacks: Lay the phyllo sheets flat and cut the whole package in half to create two smaller stacks suitable for your baking pan. Keep the phyllo covered with a tea towel to prevent drying out.
  9. Layer Phyllo Base: Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the pan and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the milk mixture. Repeat layering 2 sheets and drizzling until the first stack is used up, forming the bottom crust.
  10. Add Meat Filling: Evenly spread the cooled meat and vegetable filling over the phyllo base layer.
  11. Layer Phyllo Top: Using the second stack of phyllo, layer it on top of the filling the same way as the base, drizzling with the milk mixture between every 2 sheets.
  12. Cut and Pour: Cut the assembled pie into 8 pieces to make serving easier and pour the remaining milk mixture evenly over the top layer for a moist finish.
  13. Bake: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden and crispy.
  14. Serve: Allow the pie to cool slightly, then cut through the predefined slices and serve warm, ideally with a fresh side salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Make sure to keep your phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out during assembly.
  • You can substitute ground pork for half or all of the beef for a richer flavor.
  • Feel free to use melted butter instead of olive oil for brushing the phyllo if you prefer a more traditional rich taste.
  • Spice levels can be adjusted slightly to taste; adding a pinch of chili flakes can give a nice subtle heat.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.

Keywords: Greek phyllo meat pie, Greek savory pie, spiced ground beef pie, traditional Greek pie, phyllo pastry recipe

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/greek-phyllo-meat-pie-recipe/