Borek(börek) is a beloved traditional Turkish pastry enjoyed at any time of the day—whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There are countless varieties of borek in Turkish cuisine, each with its own unique twist. Today, I’m sharing a simple and delicious version: Spinach Borek.
This recipe is incredibly easy to make and offers a soft, fluffy texture that’s almost like a spinach roll but even better! I’ve made these as bite-sized pieces (perfect for snacking!), but you can make larger ones for quicker assembly. The best part? You don’t need to buy store-bought phyllo dough for this recipe! This one uses a simple dough that’s easy to prepare at home.
If you’re looking for a phyllo dough version, I have two other fantastic börek recipes you might enjoy: Phyllo Pumpkin Rolls and Leek and Cheese Borek. One is sweet and one is savory, satisfying, and absolutely delicious!
About recipe;
What You’ll Need for Spinach Borek?
For the dough: Flour, yeast, salt, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and water.
For the filling: Spinach, onion, and olive oil.
Cooking Tips;
Prepare the dough—no need to proof the yeast for this recipe. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the wet ingredients and knead until the dough is no longer sticky.
Once the dough is ready, cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rest.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Chop the onions and sauté them in a heated, oiled skillet. Add the spinach and cook until softened. If the spinach releases too much water, be sure to drain it.
Divide the dough into 8 or 16 pieces—I made 16 pieces for smaller boreks. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out each piece into a 10-12 cm (4-5 inch) circle using a rolling pin. Spread some spinach filling evenly over the dough.
Roll the dough up like a cinnamon roll, then take one end and coil it into a snail shape. Brush with egg yolk and bake in a 200°C (400°F) oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
How to Serve Spinach Borek?
Spinach borek is perfect for a tea party or even as a light lunch or dinner. It’s also great for packing in a lunchbox! I recently made this recipe for some friends, paired with a glass of wine, and they absolutely loved it.
To make it even more delicious, try serving the borek with a zucchini dip (my mum always serve with it) or a refreshing carrot salad. They pair perfectly together for a light yet filling meal.
How to Store Spinach Borek?
This recipe is great for storing and saving for later. While it does take some time to prepare, you can easily double the recipe and freeze the extras for up to 2-3 months. Here’s how:
- Bake the borek, then let it cool completely.
- Wrap it in plastic bags and store in the freezer.
- When you’re ready to eat, just take it out and heat it up. It’s as good as fresh!
This makes for a wonderful snack for your kids’ lunchbox—just portion it out, let it cool, and it’s easy for them to enjoy.
This Spinach Borek is one of the most traditional pastries in Turkish cuisine, and I hope this recipe inspires you to try it. Enjoy the process of baking and, most importantly, the delicious results!
