Khuushuur (Mongolian Fried Meat Pies)
Local name: Хуушуур
In short: Large half-moon pies of thin dough around juicy minced beef or mutton and onion, fried until blistered and crisp. A Naadam festival favorite. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 470 kcal
Khuushuur are the flat, crisp meat pies sold from stalls at Naadam, the summer festival, and made at home all year. A thin, unleavened dough is wrapped around loose, juicy meat and onion, then crimped and fried in hot oil until blistered. The best ones leak a little broth when you bite in. Eat them hot, in your hands, with tea and maybe a fresh cucumber on the side.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, salt and warm water and knead for 8 minutes into a smooth dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Mix the meat, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir in the cold water gradually until the filling is sticky and loose. Chill until needed.
- Divide the dough into 12 balls. Roll each into a thin circle about 15 cm (6 in) wide.
- Spread 3 tablespoons of filling over one half of each circle, leaving a 1 cm (1/2 in) border. Fold the empty half over and press the edges firmly together.
- Crimp the edge with a fork or by folding it over in small pleats so it stays sealed in the oil.
- Heat the oil to 175°C (350°F) in a wide heavy pan, at least 3 cm (1 1/4 in) deep. Fry 2 pies at a time for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden and blistered.
- Drain on a rack. Check that the filling has reached 71°C (160°F) and serve hot.
Tips
- Do not skip the water in the filling. It turns to steam in the oil and makes the meat juicy.
- Make sure the edges are sealed tightly and there are no air pockets, or the pies burst and splatter in the oil.
Questions and answers
Can I bake khuushuur instead of frying?
You can bake them at 220°C (425°F) for 20 minutes after brushing with oil. They will be drier and less blistered than fried ones.
Can I freeze khuushuur?
Yes. Freeze the shaped, uncooked pies in a single layer, then bag them for up to 3 months. Fry from frozen at slightly lower heat for 5 minutes per side.
What do you serve with khuushuur?
Salted milk tea, a simple salad of cucumber and tomato, or pickled vegetables. Some people eat them with a spoonful of ketchup or a dip of vinegar.
How long does it take to make Khuushuur (Mongolian Fried Meat Pies)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 50 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Khuushuur (Mongolian Fried Meat Pies)?
About 470 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 470 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
