Curry Phyllo Triangles

These phyllo pockets have a flakey and buttery outside with a meaty filling that is packed with flavour. Perfect for an appetizer or as part of a meal.

Bite sized appetizers piled on a wooden serving board.

Appetizers are a wonderful thing. I love it when we host a party, whether it be new years, a sporting event or some other gathering, and I get to make a bunch of bite size goodies. These curry beef phyllo triangles are delicious and the perfect appetizer for any party.

Phyllo pastry is crispy, flaky, and perfect for bite sized snacks. It works great formed into a cup, or folded into a triangle or other shape. While I love phyllo, it is the filling that makes these appetizers incredible. The curry seasoned beef and peas is packed with flavour!

Overhead picture of curry beef pockets.

Ingredients You Need

  • phyllo pastry
  • ground beef
  • onions
  • potatoes
  • peas
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • tomato paste
  • spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, cayenne, salt)
  • butter

Expert Tip! Phyllo paper is ideal for making appetizers. If you have never bought or used them, they are available at most grocery stores and are usually in the freezer section next to puff pastry and pie pastry. Phyllo pastry can be used in either a sweet dessert (baklava anyone??) or savory snacks like these.

Curry beef and peas in a cast iron skillet.

How To Make Curry Beef Filling

These phyllo pockets have a delicious filling made with ground beef, peas with a curry seasoning. This filling is very easy to make and you could even prepare it ahead of time.

Brown the beef in a large skillet and make sure to break the beef into small chunks, with a wooden spoon or other utensil, while it cooks. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain the grease from the skillet.

Add the onions, potatoes, garlic, ginger, spices and water to the beef. Continue cooking over medium low heat. Stir often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. If all the water, evaporates, add a little more.

Finally, stir in the frozen peas and tomato paste. Cook for a few more minutes, stirring often. The filling is now done and can be removed from the heat.

Expert Tip! Curry flavours are wonderful and they work perfectly in this phyllo triangle, but there are many other possibilities as well. Some other ideas include taco meat, cheese, shrimp, crawfish, spinach, mushrooms, and more!

Sheets of phyllo paper cut into 3 strips.

How To Use Phyllo Pastry

Keep the phyllo pastry in the freezer until ready to use and thaw it by leaving it in the fridge overnight. Phyllo pastry is easy to use but sometimes the edges can dry out and it can be quite brittle. Make sure you handle the paper thin sheets delicately and with great care.

Lay two sheets of phyllo paper on the work service on top of each other. Cut them into three, three inch strips. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of filling on one end of the paper strip.

Expert Tip! Some stores sell fresh phyllo pastry in the refrigerated section. If you purchase this kind, keep it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

Folding phyllo paper into a stuffed triangle.

How to fold a phyllo triangle

Take one corner and fold it across to the other side, making a triangle. Keep folding to the opposite side until you reach the end of the strip.

Phyllo paper with some stuffing spooned on a section.

Continue to make these triangles with the remaining sheets of phyllo pastry.

Expert Tip! Make sure to leave space between all of the triangles. This will allow the heat to flow and a more even bake around the appetizers.

Phyllo triangles on a baking sheet ready to go in the oven.

Brush The Triangles With Butter

Brush both sides of the curry beef phyllo triangle with melted butter. The butter will give the pastry a rich flavour and also golden brown colour after baking.

How Long To Bake Phyllo Triangles

Once all the phyllo pockets have been made, they are ready to be baked. Preheat an oven to 350F and bake them for about 15-20 minutes. You are looking for the phyllo pastry to start to crisp and brown. The browning will start in the corners and edges and you start to see a nice golden brown colour start to appear in the pastry on the top of the triangles, they should be finished.

Take these out of the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These curry beef triangles are great alongside this raita or mango chutney.

Appetizers stacked on a wooden serving board.

Other Great Appetizer Recipes

These curry beef phyllo triangles are awesome as an appetizer and great along some other bite sized treats. Check out these recipes for some more ideas.

Curry Beef Phyllo Pocket Triangles

5 out of 5
2 reviews
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These bite size appetizers are the perfect party food. The curry beef recipe is packed with flavour and the phyllo pastry is flaky and light. On top of that, they are a snap to make!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 15 triangles

Ingredients

  • 10 sheets phyllo pastry
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 potato , grated
  • 1/2 onion , minced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef in a frying pan and drain the grease. Add the potato, onion, garlic, ginger, other spices and water to the beef and cook for 5-10 minutes. Stir often to ensure that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. If all the water evaporates you may need to add a little more.
  • Once the onions are mostly cooked and tender, stir in the tomato paste and peas. Cook for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
  • Fold the triangles with the filling. Look at the pictures and instructions above for directions on how to fold up the triangles. Make sure the phyllo pastry is fully thawed before using. Brush the triangles with melted butter and place on a baking sheet
  • Bake in a 350F oven for 15-20 minutes or until they begin to brown.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 654kcalCarbohydrates: 104gProtein: 21gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 1130mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1g

Nutrition Disclaimer

Categories

Bite sized appetizers piled on a wooden serving board.

Did you try this recipe?

Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Or, take a picture to share on Instagram and tag me @theblackpeppercorn.

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10 comments

  • I’m think that these would disappear rather quickly at any gathering of people. 🙂

    • Reply
  • These look fantastic Steve! I need more appetizer recipes in my life 🙂

    • Reply
  • Steve, you had me at curry. I am a fanatic when it comes to anything curry and these sound amazing!

    • Reply
    • I feel the same way Janet. I love curry and having them in bite size portions for a party is awesome!

      • Reply
  • I love phyllo pockets to no avails – and the filling sounds wonderful. This is the kind of thing I can nibble on forever!

    • Reply
    • Me too!!!

      • Reply
  • Can almost taste the samosas they serve on the streets in India.

    • Reply
  • Very interesting. I’ve never used phyllo pastry before!

    • Reply
    • It’s really not that hard to use. You just have to be gentle which is something I struggle with. LOL

      • Reply
  • I love appetizers. The flavors in this are great, Steve!

    • Reply

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