Home > Main Course > Meat Piroshki (Belyashi)

Meat Piroshki (Belyashi)

Serve these meat piroshki by themselves or pair them with that awesome garlic dip you might recall from the potato piroshki. The flavor is fantastic!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

If you liked the potato or apple pirojki, you will love these meat filled Belyashi! Some people refer to theses as chebureki, but chebureki are usually made with raw meat and have a thinner dough. The dough is so easy when using  a Breadmaker. Serve these meat piroshki by themselves or pair them with that awesome garlic dip you might recall from the potato piroshki. I know these are originally made with lamb, but turkey and beef are more practical and the flavor is fantastic!

Ingredients for the Meat Piroshki Dough:

1 1/2 Tbsp oil
15 oz warm water
4 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (divided)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast

Ingredients for the Meat Filling:

1 lb ground turkey
1 lb ground beef (Fat content: 80/20)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 large onion, finely diced
1 medium carrot, finely grated
3 Tbsp dill
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup warm water

Other Ingredients:

Enough canola oil to go half-way up the side of the piroshky when frying.
Lots of extra flour to dust the cutting board (I probably use at least 1/2 cup extra flour)

Ingredients for Garlic Dip – “Vmochanka”  

(this is for one serving, so increase it accordingly):
1/4 cup  warm water
1 Tbsp olive oil (you can use any kind of oil really)
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/2 tsp salt

How to Make Russian Pirojki (Chebureki) Dough:

How to make the Dough:

1. The easiest way to do this is in a bread maker. If you have one, set it to the dough setting and add the ingredients in the following order: Oil, water, 2 cups flour, salt, 2 cups + 2 Tbsp flour*, yeast.
A bread maker will do the following: mix, let dough rise, mix again and let the dough rise (It takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours) and once it’s done in the bread maker, its ready to go.

*to get an exact flour measurement, use a dry ingredients measuring cup and scrape off the top with the back of a butter knife.

You can also make this dough using a stand mixer with a dough hook on speed 2 (mix all the ingredients together, let rise, mix again and then let it rise in a warm place (like the oven). (It should be 2 to 2 1/2 times in volume). While it’s rising, work on the meat filling for piroshki – see below.

A piece of cake sitting on top of a wooden cutting board, with Chebureki and Dough

2. Put the finished dough onto a well floured cutting board, dust the dough with flour and with well-floured hands, shape it into a large log.
It will rise more as you make the piroshki

A piece of cake sitting on top of a wooden cutting board, with Dough and dough

3. Cut off pieces one at a time about 3/4″ thick.

A piece of meat on a cutting board, with Chebureki and Dough

4. Place the piece of dough over your well-floured hand (dough will be sticky) and shape it into a 3″ to 4″ circle using your hands. Do not put flour on the side where you are going to put the meat, otherwise the sides won’t seal.

A circle of dough in someone\'s hand being filled with a meat filling

5. Stir the meat mix to distribute the juices. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of meat filling in the center.Cover the meat with the sides of the dough (being careful not to let oils or juices seep out), and pinch the edges together to seal the dough. Flatten the pirojki slightly to make them a more uniform size.

Notes:

It helps to wash your hands half-way through the process to keep the dough from really sticking to your hand. And keep those hands well-floured!

Meat piroshki, belyashi, being formed in someone\'s hand

6. Heat oil in a large, deep, heavy-bottomed pan or cast iron dutch oven. There should be enough oil to cover the pirojki half-way up the side.

A close up of a bowl, with Kitchen and Flour

7. Place them in the hot oil (about 330˚ F) and fry until deep golden brown on each side. Sometimes they puff up a lot on one side so you may end up with a third side that needs to be fried.

8. Place on paper towels to cool and enjoy! Try the garlic dip – it’s GOOD!

A plate with meat piroshki separated with napkins between layers

How to Make Meat filling for Belyashi:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. Brown ground beef and turkey, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula. Season meat with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/ tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

A close up of ground meat being cooked in a skillet

2. When the meat is almost done, add diced onion and saute 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Diced onions added into a skillet with ground meat

3. Add shredded carrots and saute another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Shredded carrots added into skillet with ground meat and onions

4. Add 3 Tbsp dill, mix well.

Ground meat mixture for meat piroshki

5. Add mayo, stir well.

Mayo added into skillet with meat mixture

6. Stir in 1/2 cup water to moisten the meat mix. Transfer meat mix to a bowl and let cool to warm or room temperature.

Meat mixture for belyashi

A bowl filled with the meat mixture that is used to fill meat piroshki

Meat Piroshki (Belyashi)

4.87 from 36 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 20

Ingredients for the Dough:

Ingredients for the Meat Filling:

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 lb ground beef, Fat content: 80/20
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 large onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium carrot, finely grated
  • 3 Tbsp dill
  • 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup warm water

Other Ingredients:

  • Enough canola oil to go half-way up the side of the piroshky when frying.
  • Lots of extra flour to dust the cutting board, I probably use at least 1/2 cup extra flour
  • this is for one serving, so increase it accordingly

Ingredients for Garlic Dip – “Vmochanka”:

  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, you can use any kind of oil really
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

How to Make Meat filling for Belyashi:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. Brown ground beef and turkey, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula. Season meat with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/ tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
  • When the meat is almost done, add diced onion and saute 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add shredded carrots and saute another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add 3 tbsp dill, mix well.
  • Add mayo, stir well.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup water to moisten the meat mix. Transfer meat mix to a bowl and let cool to warm or room temperature.

How to make the Dough:

  • The easiest way to do this is in a bread maker. If you have one, set it to the dough setting and add the ingredients in the following order: Oil, water, 2 cups flour, salt, 2 cups + 2 Tbsp flour, yeast. A bread maker will do the following: mix, let dough rise, mix again and let the dough rise (It takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours) and once it’s done in the bread maker, its ready to go.
  • You can also make this dough using a stand mixer with a dough hook on speed 2(mix all the ingredients together, let rise, mix again and then let it rise in a warm place (like the oven). (It should be 2 to 2 1/2 times in volume). While it's rising, work on the meat filling for piroshki - see below.
  • Put the finished dough onto a well floured cutting board, dust the dough with flour and with well-floured hands, shape it into a large log.It will rise more as you make the piroshki.
  • Cut off pieces one at a time about 3/4″ thick.
  • Place the piece of dough over your well-floured hand (dough will be sticky) and shape it into a 3″ to 4″ circle using your hands. Do not put flour on the side where you are going to put the meat, otherwise the sides won’t seal.
  • Stir the meat mix to distribute the juices. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of meat filling in the center.Cover the meat with the sides of the dough (being careful not to let oils or juices seep out), and pinch the edges together to seal the dough. Flatten the pirojki slightly to make them a more uniform size.
  • Heat oil in a large, deep, heavy-bottomed pan or cast iron dutch oven. There should be enough oil to cover the pirojki half-way up the side.
  • Place them in the hot oil (about 330° F) and fry until deep golden brown on each side. Sometimes they puff up a lot on one side so you may end up with a third side that needs to be fried.
  • Place on paper towels to cool and enjoy!

Notes

It helps to wash your hands half-way through the process to keep the dough from really sticking to your hand. And keep those hands well-floured!
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Meat Piroshki (Belyashi)
Skill Level: Medium
Cost to Make: $
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Final Final Picmonkey Hashtag banner

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.87 from 36 votes (11 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Jackie
    February 8, 2016

    Hi Natasha ..Yummy recipes !!
    I am from India and I have been to Ukraine ..I loved your food !Now am thinking about starting a chain of restaurants in India and GCC..I am thinking about including Russian salads and snacks in our menu..I guess you could help us..kindly let me know how i can contact you for further assistance

    Reply

  • Mila
    January 13, 2016

    What kind of Breadmaker is best? Which one are you using, Natasha?
    I am so tired of making it by hand and what a relief to see that it can be done in the Breadmaker! Please share your brand of it? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 14, 2016

      Hi Mila, I actually just sold mine and I beleive it was a Breadman. This is the brand I’m eyeing to try next: http://amzn.to/1OkjCYu. 🙂

      Reply

      • Mila
        January 14, 2016

        Thank you so much! Will this one do too: http://amzn.to/1JNozKr ?

        I saw the one you want, dies it have a button for ‘dough only’ or I will have to watch it and stop on time? I read many Amazon reviews on few Brrad Machines and some people ask the same question. Mostly women who want to continue their own creations in the oven. They want dough only. I guess it’s an important question.

        Thank you again! 🙂

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          January 14, 2016

          I believe most of them have the dough option. if you look at the Cuisinart one that you linked (which is a nice one!), on the photo in the description below, you’ll see the control panel and #8 says dough. That typically means there is a dough setting.

          Reply

          • Mila
            January 14, 2016

            Thank you for your advice. I saw most reviews (1000 +) for the Oster CKSTBRTW20 and the Cuisinart CBK-100. I always go by the reviews as I like to read what people say. I believe the more reviews I read, the more I know what’s wrong and what’s not about it. Like I found best doctors by visiting www.Vitals.com and www.HealthGrades.com
            Best decisions I ever made. By reading what people say or how many stars the left for this or that doctor, saved me money and disappointments. It almost broke my heart to read how many people were mistreated by some docs that I almost chose myself and almost went to!
            I know choosing a breadmaker is not as crucial as choosing doctors, but still I would like to make the right choice 🙂
            I am bouncing between the Oster CKSTBRTW20 and Conair Cuisinart CBK-100. Both 2 lbs.
            Are you thinking about the Oster CKSTBRTW20 one because you have heard or read so much about it or because you personally used it and loved it?
            I am glad I bumped into your website, just when I was getting discouraged with the dough making deal!

          • Natasha
            natashaskitchen
            January 14, 2016

            Thanks for sharing that with me! I’ve had an Oster in the past and it worked well and I do the same thing, I read Amazon reviews and go with the best reviews 🙂

          • Mila
            January 14, 2016

            Here is what I found to compare best ones:
            http://bestreviews.com/best-bread-makers

            Maybe it will help you to make your choice too.

          • Natasha
            natashaskitchen
            January 14, 2016

            Thank you so much for sharing that with me! 🙂

    • Mila
      January 14, 2016

      If you don’t mind, I have one more question. If I want 20 pirojki, how do I know how much of everything to include in the machine? Making by hand is one thing, but machine is different. The ingredients you listed, for how many pirojki is that?
      I listened and watched the videos, read all the feedback, but most of it about making ready bread, not one about the dough.
      Please share how much of the ingredients you used and for how many pirojki?

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        January 14, 2016

        You should get about 20 piroshki from this recipe.

        Reply

  • Anna
    October 6, 2015

    Awwwwe the best part is when the filling is not cooked prior to deep-frying…. When you put raw ground beef into uncooked dough and then deep-fry it, something incredibly delicious takes place as the meat juices cook the dough from the inside. I’ve tried it both ways and the uncooked beef method is sooooo much tastier.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 7, 2015

      We make our easy chebureki that way and I agree it is delicious!

      Reply

    • Visitor
      November 21, 2016

      I totally agree with you, Anna!

      Reply

  • Sameera
    May 6, 2015

    Very good

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 6, 2015

      Thank you so much Sameera 🙂

      Reply

  • ruhie
    April 12, 2015

    This recipe is just what I was looking for. Thank you!

    I have a question, too. Years ago, there was a small Russian restaurant in San Francisco that I loved. It was the first place I ever had piroshki, and they were very different from this. They were wrapped in something thin, like a crepe, and maybe steamed (?). The filling was ground beef, onions, dill weed and mashed hard boiled eggs. Is this another kind of piroshki, or was it because the Russian owner’s wife was French? 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 13, 2015

      If they were steamed, then they were probably manti. I don’t have a steamer so I haven’t posted a recipe for them yet. I need to research and get a steamer because manti are good! 🙂

      Reply

      • ruhie
        April 13, 2015

        Thank you, Natasha. I’m very happy to have found your blog!

        Reply

  • Kristina
    March 5, 2015

    Hi Natasha. Quick and probably silly question(s):
    1. When you say to let the dough rise (using stand mixer) for Belyashi the first time around, should it be in the warm place? Also, (this is a stupid question) when you say like the oven…. do you actually mean putting it in the oven or just near it or what?
    2. For Chebureki: do you roll out the dough to make it thinner than for Belyashi?
    Thanks in advance for your response.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 5, 2015

      You can leave it in a warm room or put it in the oven as long as the oven is not warmer than 100°F. It will rise just fine in a 70 deg F room temperature but if you put it in a warm room it will rise faster. I have not tried this recipe for chebureki. I have found that it is way easier to use raw tortillas for those. I do have a great recipe posted for those on my blog. My mom has made Chebureki using a dough similar to this one and it does work but you have to make sure that you mold them flatter so that the meat inside gets fully cooked through. If you have never tried them with raw tortillas, I strongly recommend that you do. They are so tasty and super easy because you don’t have to make the dough.

      Reply

  • Kinsey
    December 21, 2014

    Hi, I was wondering what is the difference between belyashi and Piroshki ? Thank you for your time,

    Blessings to you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 21, 2014

      As far as I understand, Belyashi are more commonly made with raw meat that cooks inside while they are fried in oil and they are flatter in order for the meat to cook through. Some people use the terms interchangeably. Piroshki can be made with a variety of fillings such as cooked meats, cooked mashed potatoes, apples, etc. Thank you and blessings to you as well!

      Reply

  • olga
    December 9, 2014

    Thanks so much. can i put the bowl in the oven first then turn it on, & how long should i leave the oven on to to make 100 deg.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 9, 2014

      What is the temperature of the warm setting of your oven? Every oven is different so you have to kind of guess. You could also leave it at room temperature to rise; it will just take a little longer.

      Reply

  • olga
    December 8, 2014

    Hi natasha.I folowed the derictions but my dough didnt really rise in the oven i coverd it & still the top was dry. can u tell me why that happed, whats the temp.is suposty be? How is yr pregnancy so far? time flies u r almost due. May God bless u & give u srength to bring this baby to the world.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 8, 2014

      It sounds like your oven was probably too hot. it shouldn’t be hotter than 100˚F or you risk cooking the dough and killing the yeast. That could explain why it wasn’t rising. I’ve been down that road before, especially since my previous oven didn’t have a “warm” setting cooker than 170˚ and I always had to get creative with propping the oven door open, setting the bowl over towels (anything to keep the dough from getting too hot). I hope that helps! I’m feeling so tired lately. I hit the third trimester and it sure slowed me down. Thank you so much for your sweet words 🙂

      Reply

  • Cristina
    December 2, 2014

    Natasha, it is a great recipe! Do you know the ingredients for cheese filling?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 2, 2014

      Farmers cheese, egg and sugar, but I haven’t developed a recipe with exact measurements yet. One of my readers, Lora, shared her version:
      Farmers cheese filling:
      1/2 pound farmer’s cheese
      1 egg
      2 tbs sugar
      2 tbs sour cream
      1 tsp vanilla

      Reply

      • Cristina
        December 2, 2014

        Awesome. Thank you for your quick reply!

        Reply

  • Laura-Boitschenko-Yarington
    November 19, 2014

    bolshoya spaseebah !

    Reply

  • Marina
    November 7, 2014

    Made these yesterday. They were delicious! The dough was incredible, and so easy to make. I always had anxiety towards dough for peroshki…I think it left now. You could probably use the same dough for cabbage/potato filling too right?

    Reply

  • natalya
    October 6, 2014

    do u know how many calories in 1 pirazok?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 6, 2014

      I have no idea how to calculate how much oil is in a fried food. I have no idea; sorry :(… Maybe it’s best not to know. 😉

      Reply

  • valentina radion
    September 17, 2014

    Thank u so much for ur receipts I love all of then and this my first time making dough and baking too 😉 I love all of ur food 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 17, 2014

      I’m so glad to hear you are enjoying the blog 🙂 Thanks for the awesome feedback 🙂

      Reply

  • valentina radion
    September 17, 2014

    I have a question how long is the dough some stand? And I don’t have iron Dutch oven can I use pan?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 17, 2014

      It depends on what temp you are letting the dough rise in. If the room is cold, it will take longer, if you put it in a warm (no more than 100˚F) oven, it will be twice as fast. In the oven, I’d give it 30-45 min and at room temp maybe 1 to 1 1/2 hours. It should be about 2 1/2 times in volume. Yes you can absolutely use a pan. Use one with tall walls to prevent oil splatter and one with a heavy bottom to maintain even cooking temps.

      Reply

      • valentina radion
        September 17, 2014

        Oh okay 🙂

        Reply

  • valentina radion
    September 16, 2014

    Hi natasha if I don’t have iron Dutch oven, can I use pan or what can I use?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 16, 2014

      You can use a heavy-bottomed pot; just a pot that heats evenly and you want something with taller walls so it doesn’t splatter as much 🙂

      Reply

      • valentina radion
        September 17, 2014

        Oh okay I just did the Dough hope fully it will rice

        Reply

  • eugene
    September 7, 2014

    I would be nice to have an idea of how much to mix the dough and after it rises how much to mix again

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 7, 2014

      You just mix for a minute or two and then let it rise. I’ll time it next time. In my bread maker it takes an hour start to finish. If not using a bread maker, You will want to let it rise in a warm 100 degree F oven.

      Reply

  • Luba
    July 28, 2014

    Hi! I just made this recipe and it came out really good but the dough was very crunchy and it wouldn’t get a “golden brown”. 🙁 Was more golden yellow. When my mom made it it would be a nice very light brown color and soft.
    I had to make the dough with a spatula because I don’t have a bread maker nor the mixer with the hook. I also used vegetable oil because canola oil is not natural ( I also recently learned it’s bad for you. ). As far as the dough I did everything else by the recipe. Would you happen to guess where I went wrong? 🙁

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 28, 2014

      It kind of sounds like your piroshki absorbed too much oil. You might try heating the oil up more next time. If you put them in when the oil is not hot enough (or if you put too many in at once and cool down the oil), the piroshki are more likely to absorb oil. About how long did it take you to cook each side?

      Reply

      • Luba
        July 29, 2014

        Hmmm that’ll make sense. The first ones I put in the oil was too hot…now that I’m thinking about it, the oil sprayed everywhere but the 2 piroshki came out pretty well lol. I didn’t time them but I’d say about 5-10 min. I took them out when I felt like they were in there for too long. How long does it normally take to cook one?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          July 29, 2014

          They normally shouldn’t splatter unless the seal broke and some of the juicy contents touched the oil. It’s normally not more than 2-3 minutes per side since the filling is already cooked. If you have a candy thermometer, the oil should be about 330˚F.

          Reply

  • Pman5kMO
    January 13, 2014

    I am going to make some with Venison… because game is yummy

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 14, 2014

      I’m not used to venison, but if you love it, I’m sure you’ll think it’s amazing 🙂

      Reply

  • Domnika
    December 3, 2013

    Just saw your meat piroshky ….I put mozzarella cheese in the filling and they are so dang good! That’s the way my mom taught me how to make them. My mom has a certified kitchen at home and does all kinds of craft shows and farmers markets..She is famous for her homemade bread and bagels. So delish! She also does lots of different kinds of canning goods. My parents raised us as Russian old believers and my mom made everything from scratch. Love Russian food! Oh, what kind of flour do you use Canadian or American? My mom and all my family use Canadian.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 3, 2013

      For Piroshki I just use American 🙂 I do love that about Russian cooking; using simple raw ingredients to make amazing dishes! P.S. Do you happen to have a good recipe for black bread? I’ve been searching for some time!

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.