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Banitsa with minced meat served on a plate
Rich and savory Banitsa with minced meat

Bulgarian Meat and Cheese Pastry (Banitsa)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses Cakes and Desserts
Bulgaria's answer to strudel. The uniqueness of Banitsa lies in its 'washed' texture: crispy phyllo sheets are drizzled with an egg-yogurt mixture, which puffs up during baking and creates a creamy space between the layers. The meat version is a filling main course where salty meat meets tangy yogurt.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 40 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
🍽️ Servings 6 servings
🔥 Calories 560 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Eastern European

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Baking pan
  • Pastry brush
  • Skillet

Allergen Information

⚠️ Wheat
⚠️ Egg
⚠️ Milk

Instructions

1 ✓

Sauté the finely chopped onion and garlic in oil, then add the meat. Cook until the meat is browned and all liquid has evaporated.

Tip: It is important that the meat is not saucy, otherwise it will make the dough soggy. Season with salt, pepper, and dill.
2 ✓

Whisk 2 eggs with the yogurt (and a splash of sparkling water for lightness).

Tip: The carbonation in the water loosens the structure.
3 ✓

Oil the baking pan. Lay down 2 sheets of phyllo, drizzle lightly with oil or the yogurt mixture, then sprinkle with some meat.

Tip: Phyllo dries out quickly, so work fast or cover the stack with a damp towel.
4 ✓

Continue layering: dough -> drizzle -> meat, until used up. Finish with dough on top.

Tip: Crumple the dough loosely, don't press it down, let it be airy.
5 ✓

Cut the raw pastry into squares in the pan, then pour the remaining egg-yogurt mixture over the top.

Tip: The liquid flows into the cuts, cooking the inside evenly.
6 ✓

Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.

Tip: After baking, sprinkle lightly with cold water and cover with a cloth for 10 minutes to soften the top crust.

Recipe FAQ

Why is the pastry soggy?
You poured too much liquid, or didn't cook the meat down enough (water remained). The meat filling should be dry.
The top cracked?
That's fine, even better! A rustic look is characteristic of Banitsa.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Phyllo Dough (thawed)
  • 10 oz Ground Meat (Pork/Beef mix)
  • 1 whole Onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tbsp Sunflower Oil
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Pepper
  • 3 large Eggs (2 for filling, 1 for brushing)
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt
  • 0.5 cup Sparkling Water (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dried Dill