Meat Knish
A Meat Knish is a savory, baked pastry pocket originating from Eastern European Jewish cuisine, traditionally filled with seasoned ground beef or chicken mixed with onions and spices. The filling is encased in a thin, flaky dough, often made from flour and oil or schmaltz, then baked until golden brown. It's a beloved comfort food and popular street snack, especially in Jewish delis and bakeries.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is typically high in carbohydrates from the pastry dough and moderate in protein from the meat filling, with a notable amount of fat from the cooking oil or schmaltz used in both the dough and filling. A standard knish provides a good source of energy and some B vitamins, with a rough calorie range of 250-400 per serving depending on size and recipe.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.8 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4 mg |
| Selenium | 15 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Zinc | 2 mg |
| Folate | 40 mcg |
Per 1 knish (113 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the knish is a symbol of Ashkenazi Jewish culinary tradition, often associated with holidays and gatherings, and has become an iconic food in places like New York City. Nutritionally, it's a compact, self-contained meal that historically provided sustenance for laborers and travelers due to its hearty, calorie-dense composition.
