Instant Pot Bierocks—bread pockets filled with ground beef, cabbage, onions and spices. Portable and delicious!
Each week in 2020 I’m sharing a recipe inspired by one of the 50 states. So far I’ve covered…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- See all the state recipes in one place
If you have an idea for a state I haven’t covered yet please email me [email protected] –remember it’s a recipe that has to be made (at least in part) in the Instant Pot.
Today’s recipe is inspired by The Sunflower State, Kansas. Kansas is also known as The Wheat State and The Jayhawker State. Kansas is located right in the center of the contiguous United States. Kansas grows more wheat than any other state in the union. It’s also known for tornadoes (i.e. We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto).
Instant Pot Bierocks
Today’s recipe is biercocks. Never heard of them? If you’re not from middle America you probably haven’t. They are delicious little meat pies that I know you’re going to love.
How do you say Bierocks? Bierocks are pronounced like bee-ROK.
What are Bierocks made of? A yeast dough pastry pocket sandwich with savory filling (usually ground beef, cabbage and onions).
Where do Bierocks come from? Bierocks are an Eastern European food that became popular in Kansas in the 1880s. They were created by German Russian Mennonite immigrants who settled in Kansas. They were a hearty, portable lunch that wives could bring their husbands while they were working in the fields.
What is the difference between a Bierock and a Runza? They are very similar. Runzas are the rectagular version (like a hoagie bun) of Bierocks and are popular in Nebraska. Bierocks are round (like the shape of a hamburger bun) and are popular in Kansas. The filling is pretty much the same.
Can you freeze Bierocks? Yes you can. Bake them as stated in the recipe and then wrap individually in foil or place in a freezer Ziploc bag. Freeze. When you’re ready to eat pop one into the microwave for 60 seconds.
What is a good side dish for Bierocks? Green salad, broccoli salad, fruit salad, German potato salad, raw veggies and dip, chip or french fries.
Instant Pot Bierocks
- Prep Time: 45
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 11 large bierocks 1x
Description
Bread pockets filled with ground beef, cabbage, onions and spices. Portable and delicious!
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onions
- 4–5 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
For the dough:
- 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 4 1/2 tsp instant yeast (also called quick rise yeast)
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
Instructions
Make the filling:
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up*. Add in the onion. Brown the beef for about 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease (if there is any). Turn off Instant Pot.
- Stir in the cabbage, seasoned salt, black pepper and water. Cover the Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid. Pour mixture into a bowl and refrigerate while you make the dough.
Make the dough and bake:
- In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook (or in a large mixing bowl) add 1 ½ cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Set aside.
- In a bowl, melt the butter and then stir in the milk and water. The temperature needs to be 120°-130°F. Pop into the microwave, if needed to reach that temperature.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Stir a few strokes. Then add in the eggs.
- Mix on low speed adding in 1 cup of flour at a time until it starts to clear the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic (just a minute or two).
- Place dough in a greased bowl and let raise for 1 hour OR place in greased Instant Pot liner and set Instant Pot to yogurt function LESS (use adjust button to get it to less, it should say 24 hours) and let it raise for 25-30 minutes. Dough will double in size.
- Punch the dough down. Then divide it into 11-12 equal balls (about 4 ounces each). Flatten each ball to a circle 4-5 inch in diameter. Scoop ¼ cup of filling (use slotted spoon, make sure there is no liquid) into the middle of the dough. Bring the edges of the circle together and pinch them to seal the dough completely. Continue until all the dough and filling has been used.
- Place each filled dough (seam side down) onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (you might need 2 pans to fit all of them). Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes and then serve. (We liked a bit of mustard with ours!)
Notes
Optional ideas: for extra flavor add in ½ tsp of garlic powder in with the salt and pepper. For a creamy twist, stir in 4 oz of cream cheese with the meat mixture after it has pressure cooked. If you love melty cheese, place a large slice of cheddar on the filling before sealing the dough. To add more color and nutrition add some grated carrots in with the filling.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Hello from Kansas…..I haven’t made these for ages….one reason being that the recipe I liked best is in a cookbook I gave to my daughter….but now I’m hungry for them after seeing your recipe, so they’ll be on the menu soon using this recipe. Just one other thing….I’m nearly 72 years old and have never heard the referred to as bee-ROCS??? Everyone I know of here in good ol’ Kansas says “BEER-ocks”!! Not a big deal though….they’re delicious no matter what you call them! Also, adding cheese isn’t really traditional either, but it sure tastes good if you use it. There were some other really good sounding variations mentioned in the comments too.
I hope you love them Vicki! Probably not as good as your recipe but hopefully they’ll remind you of them 🙂
Will purple cabbage change the taste?
It will definitely change the look! But I’m not sure about the taste. Usually purple cabbage is a little earthier.
As a proud Kansan, I love me a good bierock! When I’m craving them, but in a hurry, I sometimes used canned biscuit dough. I flatten it out, fill it, and top it with another biscuit, pressing the edges together. Not the same as a yeasted dough, but works in a pinch!
Also, we love having baked beans with our bierocks. Sometimes, I even just add them to the filling. *shrug* 🙂
★★★★★
I love the biscuit idea!
My great grandmother taught me how to make these growing up in North Central Kansas. She always made plenty to freeze.
Such a good idea to freeze for later!
Hi Karen,
First off thanks for all your wonderful recipes. I always look forward to getting your daily emails. I have a question about the Mealthy CrispLid….Do you like it and how much food does it hold? Is it large enough to accommodate a rack of baby back ribs with bbq sauce if they are cut up or do you have to crisp in batches?
Same question for French fries…
Thanks so much!
Hi Susanna, I like it but don’t use it very often. It is small (like most air fryers). You really have to crisp up food in batches.
Thanks Karen, That’s what I was afraid of, I’ll just stick with my air fryer and save some money!
30 years ago a lady taught me how to make bierocks. A slight variation to this recipe, but super popular with my family and friends! I add green peppers, lots of garlic powder and use potato roll dough. Any left over dough makes beautiful cinnamon buns. We always cut the warm bierocks open and fill them with mustard and cheddar cheese or cheez whiz.
You won’t regret trying this recipe!
Ooooh, I really like those ideas Cathy! will have to try!
Sigrid
★★★★★
Why not just use pita pockets?
Kansan here! I learned how to make these from my Mother-in-law (the long way). We do it a little different but this looks close. Not sure what the difference is in measurement but we use a head of cabbage and ALWAYS Velveeta cheese. It just melts better. We also make a double recipe as one is never enough!
I may have to try it this way….who am I kidding….of course I will make it!
Thanks so much for your ideas! I love the velveeta idea. That sounds so tasty!
I am glad to see you using a Bosche mixer with pictures as it helps me use mine. I love Bierrocks and am happy to see your instant pot version. Thanks
You’re welcome Deana! Thanks for being here!