Brazilian Meat esfiha is one of most popular savory pastries, bringing together soft dough and flavorful fillings in a perfect handheld package. Though inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, the Brazilian version has its own personality—and it’s deeply loved across the country.

Whether served as a snack, party food, or quick dinner, meat esfihas are versatile, freezer-friendly, and absolutely delicious. In this article, you’ll learn how to make the perfect dough and the classic beef filling, plus tasty variations like cheese, sausage, and ham & cheese rolls—all using the same base recipe.

A meat esfiha is a small baked pastry filled with seasoned ground beef, shaped like a triangle or envelope. In Brazil, it’s commonly found in bakeries, cafés, and snack bars, and it’s also easy to make at home.

What makes it so special? The soft dough, the juicy yet simple filling, and the fact that you can make dozens at once and freeze them for later. In fact, this is a great recipe for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.

This dough is soft, easy to work with, and incredibly versatile. You’ll use it not only for esfihas, but also for other Brazilian snacks like sausage rolls and joelhos (ham & cheese rolls).

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (10g) instant dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup (250ml) warm milk
• 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp milk (for brushing)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the egg, oil, and salt. Mix to combine.
3. Gradually add the flour, stirring until it forms a dough.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Meanwhile, let’s prepare the star of the show: the meat filling.

Traditional Meat Filling

The classic Brazilian meat esfiha filling is simple and juicy, made with raw ground beef that cooks inside the pastry as it bakes.

Ingredients:

• 14 oz (400g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Chopped parsley or mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Mix well and taste the seasoning.
3. Let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes to develop flavor and firm up.

Tip: You can sauté the meat for a few minutes if you prefer a cooked filling, but the traditional Brazilian method uses it raw.

Assembling the Brazilian Meat Esfiha

1. After the dough has risen, divide it into small balls (golf ball size).
2. Roll each ball into a circle (about 4 inches wide).
3. Add 1 tablespoon of meat filling to the center.
4. Fold the edges into a triangle or square shape, pinching the seams tightly to seal.
5. Arrange on a greased baking sheet and let rise for 10–15 minutes.
6. Brush with the egg yolk and milk mixture.
7. Bake at 390°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cheese Esfiha (Vegetarian Option)

Not a fan of meat? No problem! The dough also makes amazing cheese esfihas.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp cream cheese (optional)
• Oregano to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Fill and shape the esfihas the same way as with the meat.
3. Seal tightly—cheese tends to melt and leak.

In addition, you can add fresh herbs or diced tomatoes for extra flavor.

Calabresa (Sausage) Filling

Brazilian calabresa sausage is smoky, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with onion and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups finely chopped calabresa sausage
• 1 small onion, chopped
• A bit of shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the sausage and onion together for a few minutes.
2. Let the mixture cool completely before using it as a filling.

For example, some people like to blend the sausage in a food processor to make the texture smoother.

Ham and Cheese Roll (same dough)

This Brazilian snack, also called joelho in Rio, is made with slices of ham and cheese wrapped in the same dough.

Photo by Teste Receitas

How to make it:

1. Roll the dough into a rectangle.
2. Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese in the center.
3. Roll like a burrito, fold the edges, and seal.
4. Brush with egg wash and bake until golden.

Meanwhile, the scent of warm ham and cheese will fill your kitchen—it’s comfort food at its finest.

Sausage Rolls (same dough)

These mini hot dog rolls are kid-friendly, quick to assemble, and fun to eat.

Photo by Band Receitas

Steps:

1. Roll small rectangles of dough.
2. Place a mini sausage or half a hot dog on one end.
3. Roll up and seal the edge.
4. Let them rise for 10 minutes, brush with egg wash, and bake.

You can also sprinkle sesame seeds or cheese on top before baking for extra flavor.

Tips for Freezing and Storing the Brazilian Meat Esfiha

The great thing about meat esfihas is how well they freeze.

Freezing:

• Freeze unbaked esfihas on a tray. Once firm, store in a bag or container.
• You can also freeze baked esfihas and reheat when needed.

To reheat:

• Oven: 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C)
• Microwave: 1–2 minutes (less crispy)

In fact, making a big batch and freezing them is a smart way to save time during the week.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your meat esfihas warm with a squeeze of lemon, hot sauce, or plain yogurt on the side. They go perfectly with:

• Salads
• Smoothies or juices
• Soup (for a light dinner)

In addition, you can turn them into party bites by making mini esfihas—just reduce the size and baking time.

Final Thoughts

Making meat esfiha at home is not only easy—it’s incredibly rewarding. With one dough recipe, you can create several snacks: beef esfihas, cheese esfihas, calabresa pastries, sausage rolls, and ham & cheese joelhos.

Meanwhile, your kitchen will smell amazing, and your freezer will be full of homemade comfort food ready to enjoy anytime.

So, next time you’re craving something savory and satisfying, skip the store-bought snacks and try making Brazilian meat esfihas from scratch. Your family—and your taste buds—will thank you.