This Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfeehas) recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and uses just one bowl for mixing dough and one pan for the filling, so cleanup is a breeze! It’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Plus, you can easily switch up the filling ingredients to suit your taste or even use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to tackle those odds and ends lurking in the back.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfeehas) is super simple, but here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
For the Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup water
For the Filling:
1 pound ground beef or lamb
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Then, drizzle in the olive oil and gradually add the water while stirring until the dough comes together. You want a smooth consistency, no lumps here! Knead it for about 5 minutes until it feels nice and elastic, then cover it with a kitchen towel to let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling
While the dough is resting, grab a pan and heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it’s nice and translucent, about 5 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic for the last minute to get that delicious aroma, until fragrant!
Now, add your ground beef (or lamb), breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until it’s browned all over, stirring occasionally. You’re looking at around 7-10 minutes. Sprinkle in the spices: cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and season with salt and pepper to taste. And if you’re using them, mix in the pine nuts and parsley. Give it all a good stir and let this glorious filling cool while you roll out that dough.
3. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Roll Out the Dough
Now the fun part! On a floured surface, take your rested dough and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut it into circles, using a cup or a cookie cutter works great for this! The more, the merrier!
5. Fill and Seal
Place a generous spoonful of filling in the center of each circle. A heaping tablespoon should do it! Then fold the dough over into a half-moon shape and seal the edges by pressing them together with your fingers, like a little hug for the filling.
6. Bake the Pies
Arrange the sealed pies on a baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil for that gorgeous golden brown finish. Bake them for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden.
7. Serve Warm
Once out of the oven, I really suggest letting them cool for a couple of minutes before diving in. Trust me, the filling is hot like molten lava inside! Serve warm and enjoy the delightful flaky pastry and the flavor-packed filling.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need comfort food that warms the heart and fills the belly. There’s just something so comforting about these little pies, they remind me of family gatherings and, let’s be honest, they never last long when I make them. I’m a real sucker for how versatile they are; you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. If I have leftover veggies or different meats, I throw them in, and it always turns out amazing!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Falafel Recipe, my Turkish Gozleme, or my Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Want to hear a secret? This dish comes together all in one pan and bowl, meaning less mess and more time for eating! Seriously, you could whip these together on a busy weeknight when you’re short on time.
Customizable
The best part is how easy it is to switch up the ingredients, beef or lamb; add veggies, change spices; you name it! This makes it a wonderfully flexible dish to use what’s lingering in your fridge.
Comfort Food
Who doesn’t love a warm, flaky pie bursting with flavors? It’s loaded with tons of flavor and downright satisfying! Perfect for chilly nights when you need a hug in food form.
Meal Prep and Freezable
These meat pies are also great for meal prep! Make a double batch and freeze some for later, place uncooked pies on a baking sheet, then freeze them. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you have unexpected guests or a busy week, just bake straight from the freezer!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve These Sfeehas
Serve these beautiful meat pies with a side of garlic yogurt sauce or fresh salad for a light, complete meal. You can also offer some pickled vegetables on the side for that extra zing!
Storage
Store any leftover pies in the fridge in an airtight container for about 3-4 days. They’re so good reheated!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, pop them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until they are heated through. Microwave works too, but then the pastry won’t be as crispy, so choose your adventure!
Freezer Friendly
Absolutely! As mentioned, just freeze the uncooked pies on a baking sheet until solid and store in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about 3 months. Just bake them straight from frozen, add an extra 5 minutes to the bake time.
Cooking should always be fun and a little adventurous! So, don’t hesitate to make these delightful Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfeehas) your own. And remember, every meal is an opportunity to create memories, whether you’re sharing with family or soaking up the goodness solo. Enjoy every bite!
And wow, let me know how yours turn out! Happy cooking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Print
Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfeehas)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Delightful Lebanese Meat Pies that are quick and easy to prepare, perfect for family meals and customizable to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Drizzle in the olive oil and gradually add the water while stirring until the dough comes together. Knead for about 5 minutes until elastic, then cover and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the onion until translucent (about 5 minutes), then add garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground beef, cooking until browned (7-10 minutes), then stir in spices and optional ingredients.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll Out the Dough: Roll out the rested dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut into circles.
- Fill and Seal: Place a spoonful of filling on each circle, fold over and seal the edges.
- Bake the Pies: Arrange on a baking sheet, brush tops with olive oil, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Serve Warm: Allow to cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
Serve with garlic yogurt sauce or pickled vegetables for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
