Middle Eastern Meat Melt Pie (Lahmacun-Style Hand Pie)
A savory, aromatic Middle Eastern hand pie featuring a spiced ground beef filling encased in a golden, crispy crust.
Ingredients
- •1 lb (450g) ground beef
- •1 large yellow onion, finely grated
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- •1 tablespoon tomato paste
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon ground allspice
- •1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •1 package (approx. 14 oz) store-bought puff pastry, thawed (ensure pareve/vegan)
- •1 tablespoon olive oil
- •1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, tomato paste, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
- 3
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into four equal squares or rectangles.
- 4
Place a generous portion of the meat mixture into the center of each pastry square, spreading it slightly but leaving a border around the edges.
- 5
Fold the edges of the pastry over the meat to create a border, or fold the pastry in half to form a triangle, crimping the edges tightly with a fork to seal.
- 6
Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
- 7
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the meat filling is cooked through.
- 8
Let the pies rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle.
💡 Chef tips
- For an extra kick, add a teaspoon of Aleppo pepper or a pinch of red chili flakes to the meat mixture.
- You can assemble these pies ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before baking.
- Serve with a side of tahini sauce or a fresh cucumber-tomato salad to balance the richness of the meat.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished pie should have a flaky, golden-brown crust that shatters when bitten, revealing a juicy, deeply spiced, and aromatic meat center.