This easy-to-make Turkish Borek recipe bursts with delicious Middle Eastern/Mediterranean flavours. With its flaky, creamy layers and savoury filling of cheese and spiced minced meat, this borek is one of my top Turkish Recipes.
Perfect for pairing with other dishes like Şakşuka (Turkish fried vegetables), roasted eggplant with yoghurt sauce, or enjoy it alongside Turkish coffee or ayran, a refreshing Turkish yoghurt drink for an authentic morning treat. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply craving something delicious, this borek delivers the true taste of Turkey in every bite.
Turkish börek is a traditional pastry dish that holds a special place in Turkish cuisine. Made with thin layers of dough, typically phyllo dough, börek is filled with various ingredients such as cheese, spinach, minced meat, or potatoes, seasoned with herbs and spices. The layers are stacked or rolled, creating a deliciously flaky and savoury treat.
Börek is often enjoyed as a snack, appetiser, or even as a main course, and it's commonly served during special occasions and gatherings in Turkish households. Its versatility, rich flavours, and satisfying texture make börek a beloved dish enjoyed by many across Turkey and beyond.
Turkish Borek is perfect for sharing or as a standout dish at gatherings. Whether served as a main course or an appetiser, this recipe is sure to leave everyone craving more. You should also try our Smashed Kefta Tacos, Turkish Bulgur Pilav, Pide – Turkish Flat Bread / Pizza or Turkish Meatballs with Hasselback Potatoes for a delicious lunch or dinner.
Jump to:
💗 Why This Recipe Works
Turkish Borek (Börek) is a flaky, golden pastry filled with savoury spiced meat, cheese, or veggies. This beloved Ottoman dish is a staple in Turkish cuisine—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a crowd-pleasing appetiser.
✅ Crispy & buttery layers of phyllo dough
✅ Juicy, well-seasoned minced meat filling
✅ Creamy cheese for richness
✅ Easy to customise (vegetarian options included!)
✅ Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals
🥘 Ingredients to Make Borek
- Minced meat: Choose any type you like, such as beef, lamb, or turkey. Cook it until browned.
- Onions: Chop them finely for sweetness in the meat filling.
- Garlic: Grate or chop fresh garlic is much stronger than garlic powder.
- Potatoes: Peel and grate; they bind the filling together. Any type of potato is as good.
- Crushed tomatoes: You can use fresh or a can of finely chopped tomatoes.
- Eggs: Beat them with milk and yoghurt for a creamy and rich texture.
- Parmesan cheese: Grate it for a salty taste in the filling.
- Phyllo pastry: I used one pack of this pastry.
- Butter: Brush it between layers of phyllo pastry for crispiness.
- Olive oil: Use for sautéing onions, garlic, and minced meat.
- Spices: Garlic powder, Smoked paprika, Cumin, Chilli flakes or powder, Baharat spice, Salt and Pepper.
♻️ Substitutions
- Mincemeat: You can substitute with ground chicken, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives like lentils or mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
- Onions: Shallots or leeks can be used.
- Garlic: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic, adjusting the quantity based on taste preference.
- Potatoes: Sweet potatoes or cauliflower can be used.
- Crushed tomatoes: Tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
- Milk: Plant-based milk such as almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Plain yoghurt: Dairy-free yoghurt or sour cream.
- Parmesan cheese: Nutritional yeast or a combination of grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Butter: Use olive oil for brushing between the layers of the pastry.
📖 Variations
- Vegetarian: Replace the minced meat with a mixture of sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a flavorful vegetarian option.
- Cheese: Add extra cheese like feta or mozzarella to the filling for a cheesy twist.
- Spicy: Increase the amount of chilli flakes or add chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint into the filling for freshness.
- Sweet: Create a sweet version by filling the borek with a mixture of sweetened ricotta cheese, cinnamon, and chopped nuts, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
👩🍳 How to Make Turkish Borek
If you’re craving something tasty, you’ll love this Turkish tray börek with cheese and meat! I’ll walk you through the filling and layering, and your kitchen will smell amazing as it bakes.
I’ve also got a simple step-by-step guide with photos to help you out.
Step 1: Put all the filling ingredients, except the crushed tomatoes, into a large pan and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
Step 2: Let them cook together for around 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
Step 3: Then, add the crushed tomatoes to the pan and cook for another 10 minutes.
Step 4: While it cooks, layer half the phyllo sheets in the greased dish, brushing each with melted butter.
Step 5: Spread the meat mixture evenly over the layers of pastry sheets.
Step 6: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, plain yoghurt, and grated parmesan until smooth.
Step 7: Lay the remaining phyllo sheets over the meat filling, brushing each with melted butter, then pour the egg mixture on top.
Step 8: Bake in a hot oven for 40-45 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool slightly, then slice and serve this tasty Turkish borek. Enjoy!
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
💭 Pro Tips for the Best Borek
✔ Keep phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
✔ Brush each layer generously with butter for extra crispiness.
✔ Let cool 5 mins before serving—hot fillings can burn!
✔ Freeze unbaked borek and bake straight from frozen (+5 mins).
Side Dishes to Serve with Turkish Borek
- Yoghurt Sauce: A side of tangy yoghurt sauce flavoured with garlic and herbs.
- Potato Salad: Italian Potato & Cucumber Salad (No Mayo!) – Ready in 30 Min
- Bulgur: Turkish Bulgur Pilav
- Fresh Salad: Greek Salad with Cherry Tomatoes & Feta (15-Min Recipe!)
- Roasted Vegetables: Şakşuka (Turkish fried vegetables)
- Rice Pilaf: Lebanese Rice and Broken Vermicelli
❓FAQS
Börek (also spelled borek) is a classic Turkish pastry made with super thin dough, usually filo or yufka. It’s filled with things like minced meat, cheese, spinach, or potatoes, then baked until crispy and golden. You’ll find it rolled, layered, or shaped into triangles or spirals—great as a snack, appetizer, or even a full meal.
They’re actually the same type of dish! Börek (or burek) refers to a group of pastries made with thin, flaky dough like phyllo or yufka, usually filled with cheese, meat, or veggies. The name just changes slightly depending on the region.
I like making burek in the air fryer when I want something fast and still crispy. You can pop it in and get those golden, flaky layers in less time than baking—great for when you’re short on time but still want something homemade.
I keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I use the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to get it crispy again. You can also freeze it—just wrap it well, and it’ll keep for 2–3 months.
I like pairing borek with traditional drinks like ayran, a refreshing Turkish yogurt drink, or strong Turkish tea—they really balance the richness. Turkish coffee is also a great choice if you want something bold. Other good options include sparkling water, fresh fruit juices like orange or pomegranate, and crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc. Herbal teas such as mint or chamomile and yogurt-based drinks like lassi or kefir also work well to round out the flavors.
You Might Also Like ...
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates.
Turkish Borek Recipe (Sigara Böreği) – Flaky Cheese & Spiced Meat Pastry
Equipment
- baking pan a 9x13-inch (22x33 cm) rectangular baking dish.
- Brush for brushing melted butter or oil between layers of phyllo
Ingredients
Ingredients for the filling
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 500 g mince meat any type you like
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 4 garlic cloves grated or chopped
- 2 large potatoes peeled and grated
- 350 g crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes or powder
- 1 teaspoon Baharat spice
- 2 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper
For the egg mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup 1 cup grated parmesan
Extra
- 1 packet of Phyllo pastry
- 50 g melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- In a large pan, add all ingredients for the filling, except for the crushed tomatoes. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After that time, add the crushed tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, plain yogurt, and grated parmesan to make the egg mix.
- Layer half of the Phyllo pastry sheets in the greased baking dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
- Spread the mince meat mixture evenly over the pastry sheets.
- Layer the remaining Phyllo pastry sheets on top, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
- Pour the egg mix over the top layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until the burek is golden and crispy.
- Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve this delicious burek as a tasty and satisfying meal! Enjoy!
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Nicole says
This Turkish Borek was so delicious! The recipe was exactly as written and easy to follow.
Swathi says
Your Turkish borek is delicious, I have tried, my family enjoyed it.
Juyali says
Delicious and comforting. Served it as an appetizer for our family. I did not have Baharat spice so I substituted with cumin. Delish! 🙂
Krystle says
My first time making this dish, and it turned out fantastic. I love the flaky pastry with the perfectly spiced meat.
Nicole Kendrick says
This is one of the best dinners I've ever made. I'd never heard of it before, but it looked so good that I had to make it. We all really enjoyed it.
Elizabeth says
Such a yummy sweet treat! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Leslie says
Delightful and delicious!
DK says
Love this savory turkish borek! The flaky dough is fantastic!
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my, this is such a great-looking dish pastry! Looks incredibly delicious and very appealing too! Totally loved it!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
This is a delicious dish - and it's fairly easy to make too!!