Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (2024)

A Jewish meat knish (kuh-NISH) is a baked dumpling filled with meat, potatoes, kasha, sauerkraut, onions or cheese (and lately spinach, sweet potatoes, and other ingredients), that is traditionally baked but sometimes fried. It's similar to a British pasty, Mexican empanada, Russian pirozhki, and an Italian calzone. Since this dough recipe is made with butter, cream cheese, and sour cream, and filled with beef, it would not be considered kosher.

The recipe for the filling was provided by Lloyd Weinstein of Benjie's Deli in Santa Ana, Calif. The knishes can be individually quick frozen on baking sheets and transferred to freezer bags for storage if desired.

Here is a potato knish recipe you might like to try.

“I thought I preferred potato knishes, but that was before I tasted this particular meat version. The addition of pastrami as one of the filling ingredients was absolutely brilliant. It kicked the flavor up to another level. I didn’t have access to a meat grinder, so I pulsed the ingredients in a food processor instead.” —Diana Andrews

Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (1)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Knish Dough:

  • 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, more as needed

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Meat Filling:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 large onion, coarsely chopped

  • 1 1/2 poundsground beef, preferably 80/20

  • 5 ounces pastrami, coarsely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • 1 tablespoon water

Steps to Make It

Make the Knish Dough

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (2)

  2. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, process the butter, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth and well combined, scraping down the bowl once or twice. Add flour and salt and pulse to blend.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (3)

  3. Turn dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (4)

  4. Using floured hands, form into a ball and wrap tightly. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (5)

Make the Meat Filling

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (6)

  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (7)

  3. Raise the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 9 minutes.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (8)

  4. Drain the mixture of excess fat. Add the pastrami and mix well.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (9)

  5. Pass meat through a grinder with the small hole setting. Alternatively, pulse then process the mixture in batches in a food processor fitted with a metal blade until finely chopped, taking care not to over process.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (10)

  6. Transfer meat to a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature. Add the salt, garlic powder, and white pepper and mix to combine. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add the eggs and mix well to combine.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (11)

Assemble the Knishes

  1. Lightly flour a work surface and place the dough on it. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let come to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (12)

  2. Meanwhile, position two racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (13)

  3. Roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (14)

  4. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 3-inch squares. Re-roll any dough scraps until all the dough is used.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (15)

  5. Make the egg wash by combining the beaten egg with the water. Brush each square with the egg wash.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (16)

  6. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons filling on one of the dough squares.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (17)

  7. Stretch the dough over the filling and fold the points to meet in the center, similar to an envelope, pinching the edges closed. Continue with the rest of the dough and filling. (You might not use all the filling.)

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (18)

  8. Place knishes on the prepared baking sheets and brush with the egg wash.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (19)

  9. Bake until knishes are golden brown on the top and bottom, rotating the trays in the oven halfway through baking, about 30 minutes total.

    Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (20)

Tips

  • Serve these meat knishes with some sharp deli-style mustard, which pairs especially well with the pastrami in the filling.
  • Any leftover filling can be used in omelets and stuffed baked vegetables, stirred into a chili, or eaten in a burrito or taco. Just be sure to cook the filling thoroughly again as it contains raw eggs.

Recipe Variations

Before baking, sprinkle the tops of the knishes with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even a little flaky salt for a subtle crunch.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
297Calories
20g Fat
16g Carbs
13g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 22to 23
Amount per serving
Calories297
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g25%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Cholesterol 89mg30%
Sodium 321mg14%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
Potassium 187mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!

Jewish Meat Knishes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Jewish knish? ›

A staple of Jewish cuisine, a knish (pronounced kuh-nish) is a hearty snack of cooked carbohydrates (usually mashed potatoes) wrapped in buttery dough. Knish were brought to the US by European immigrants in need of hearty and affordable meals in their new home.

What are the different types of knishes? ›

In most traditional versions, the filling is made entirely of mashed potato, kasha (buckwheat groats), or cheese. Other varieties of fillings include beef, chicken, sweet potatoes, black beans, or spinach. Knishes may be round, rectangular, or square.

What is the difference between a knish and a pierogi? ›

Knish is a type of pastry, like empanadas and samosas, whereas pierogi are dumplings. Knishes are made with a thin dough, often phyllo dough, while pierogi are made with a thicker, noodle-like dough. Both can be filled with similar savory or sweet fillings like potato, cheese, and spinach.

What is a coney island knish? ›

One of my earliest notable food experiences was eating potato knishes with my dad in Coney Island. I mean, mashed potatoes in a warm, flaky pastry? This potato fiend will have two, please. Back then, their secret was the copious amounts of chicken fat, aka schmaltz, but here I'll show you how to succeed without it.

What makes a good knish? ›

While the filling is what makes a knish more appetizing, the perfectly cooked exterior also plays a crucial role in its taste. Once our artisan chefs create the well-balanced filling and stuff them inside the dumplings, they brush the exterior with eggs and bake them to perfection.

What does the word knish mean in English? ›

knish. noun. kə-ˈnish. : a small round or square piece of dough stuffed with a filling and baked or fried.

What do people eat with knishes? ›

There's no wrong way to eat a knish, but we like ours served hot, with a side of good mustard. Enjoy one as an appetizer, midday snack, or served alongside a soup or sandwich.

Should knish be warm or cold? ›

Knish can certainly be enjoyed all on their own, but serving them with your favorite mustard, horseradish, or sauerkraut is popular and recommended. Knish are great warm, at room temperature, or even cold – they're great picnic or lunchbox food.

What is similar to a knish? ›

Knishes, Cut Open True, both knishes and bourekas (as well as bulemas and, to a degree, boyos) are stuffed pastries. However, most world cuisines feature some sort of stuffed dough. In no order other than what springs to mind: calzones, kubbeh, jiaozi, mantu, kreplach, kutab, samosas and burritos.

What is a New York knish? ›

A bomb of starchy fillings like nutty kasha groats or mashed potato with caramelized onions, wrapped in a thin sheet of dough and baked, the knish is claimed by Russians, Poles, and Ukrainians, and came to New York on the backs of Jewish immigrants.

Does Nathan's sell knishes? ›

You can sit on the boardwalk & enjoy the view of the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying your meals or snacks. Prices are practical. For the best hot dogs and french fries on the planet, Nathan's is the place to go.

What is a deli knish? ›

For the uninitiated, a potato knish is savory baked dumpling that consists of pastry wrapped around a mashed potato filling. In other words, a knish is not for anyone avoiding carbs! But they are certainly are delicious. Like many classic Jewish deli foods, the knish is an American invention.

What do you eat knish with? ›

Potato knish is traditionally served with mustard, horseradish, and/or sour cream for dipping. Sauerkraut is also a popular side to enjoy with a knish. Enjoy as a snack or lunch, or serve them as a side dish, maybe with some chicken and vegetables.

What is Jewish pastrami made of? ›

This Jewish Deli is made from a fine brisket; however, you can make it from turkey or lamb as well. Generally, chefs use certain cuts, such as the deckle. It is a lean, wide, and firm shoulder cut for pastrami. Sometimes, they use the navel, juicier and smaller section just below the ribs for pastrami.

Is a knish baked or fried? ›

It's a soft, pillowy piece of dough, filled to the brim with seasoned mashed potatoes. Each piece is traditionally rolled into a round ball and baked, although they can be formed into squares and deep-fried for a crispy exterior.

What is a Jewish Shuk? ›

A “shuk” is a vibrant and captivating marketplace that forms the heart and soul of Israel's bustling urban landscapes. This Hebrew word encapsulates not just a place to shop but a cultural and sensory experience that is deeply woven into the fabric of Israeli life.

References

Top Articles
Marzipan Recipe (Traditional German Recipe) - Plated Cravings
Chelsea Russian Fudge Recipe | Chelsea Sugar
ALLEN 'CHAINSAW' KESSLER | LAS VEGAS, NV, United States
Your Blog - Sheri Blonde
Citi Trends Watches
M3Gan Showtimes Near Cinemark Movies 8 - Paris
Giant Key Osrs
Msc Open House Fall 2023
Sdn Wright State 2023
Celebrity Guest Tape Free
Cpcon Protection Priority Focus
29 Best Free Sports Streaming Sites | Sept. 2024 (No Ads!)
Ups Store Near Publix
What Is Flipping Straights Ted Lasso
Fkiqx Breakpoints
1 Bedroom Apartment For Rent Private Landlord
Maryse Mizanin Nip Slip
The Goddess Collection
Myth or Fact: Massage Parlors and How They Play a Role in Trafficking | OUR Rescue
Chris Evert Twitter
Upper Rank Demons Wiki
9192464227
Acuity Eye Group - La Quinta Photos
Clay County Tax Collector Auto Middleburg Photos
Kitchen Song Singer Violet Crossword
Software For Organizing A Pledge Drive Crossword Clue
Pole Barns 101: Everything You Need to Know - Big Buildings Direct
Scenes from Paradise: Where to Visit Filming Locations Around the World - Paradise
How To Level Up Intellect Tarkov
Funny Shooter Unblocked
Marisa Jacques Bio
Lily Spa Roanoke Rapids Reviews
Tighe Hamilton Hudson Ma Obituary
Late Bloomers Summary and Key Lessons | Rich Karlgaard
Shiny Flower Belinda
Saw X Showtimes Near Regal Ronkonkoma
Tmz Jennette Mccurdy And Joe
Melanie, Singer Who Performed at Woodstock and Topped Charts With ‘Brand New Key,’ Dies at 76
10000 Divided By 5
Weather Radar Jamestown
Aces Fmc Charting
Botw Royal Guard
Pastel Pink Facetime Icon
Unity Webgl Car Tag
600 Aviator Court Vandalia Oh 45377
Jeep Forum Cj
Craiglist Horses For Sale
Lompoc Record Arrest Log
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test Understand the Test & Your Results
Vrlbi Rentals
Backrooms Level 478
Xochavella Leak
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 5826

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.