Flaky crust meets a flavorful filling in this savory Meat Pie recipe.
Meat pies have a really long history. How long? Well, archaeologists are pretty sure that even the ancient Egyptians munched on meat pies meals—probably after a hard day’s work building all those pyramids. While these “pharaoh pies” probably don’t resemble our idea of a meat pie, it’s clear that people have been enjoying some variation of this dish for centuries.
And what’s not to love about a meat pie? This recipe will satisfy your hunger pangs and is also a breeze to make. You could even prepare it in advance for a ridiculously simple weeknight meal.
Oh yeah, and don’t worry if meat and pie crust are no-nos for your diet. You can tweak this recipe in many ways to make it fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re keto, gluten-free, or vegan, I’ll share some tips to make meat pie your own.
Is This Meat Pie Healthy?
Meat pie has a few healthy veggies and herbs like garlic, onion, and potato, but it’s not the “healthiest” option. Sure, the ground beef and pork will keep you satisfied—and that golden pie crust will send you to foodie heaven—but some people may not like the saturated fat. Plus, this recipe is not gluten-free. But fear not! There are a few hacks to make this meat pie healthier.
For instance, you could use the leanest possible ground beef and pork to avoid all that extra saturated fat. If you don’t mind the flavor change, you could swap beef and pork for leaner ground meats like turkey or chicken.
Vegans and vegetarians don’t have to sit this recipe out, either! Thanks to all the plant-based ground meats on today’s shelves, there are many ways to make a meatless meat pie. You could also use savory ingredients like mushrooms, lentils, or soy-based crumbles to serve as your meaty base without adding animal products. Vegans, remember to check the ingredients in your pie crust!
Speaking of pie crust, consider using whole wheat or a gluten-free alternative. Lastly, consider adding some veggies to your filling, like carrots, peas, or mushrooms, to infuse more nutrient-dense flavors.
What Meats Work Best In A Meat Pie?
Ground beef and pork are the classic choices for meat pie recipes. However, you don’t have to feel beholden to these ground meats if they don’t suit your preferences. For instance, it’s not unheard of for at-home chefs to use diced or shredded cuts of steak like chuck roast or sirloin to give their meat pie the same savory flavors with a chunkier texture.
Although ground lamb may not be the most popular choice, it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a richly flavored meat. Plus, it pairs perfectly with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern aromatics like fresh mint or rosemary. You could also opt for ground chicken or turkey if you want leaner options, but remember, poultry needs extra spices and veggies to avoid tasting too bland.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Meat pie is a perfect recipe for people who love to prep dinner ahead. You could freeze your cooked meat pie, then thaw and bake on the day you’re ready to eat it. To avoid freezer burn, be sure to freeze your cooled meat pie on a baking tray for one hour and cover it with plastic wrap and aluminum foil in an airtight container.
You could also cook your meat pie and preserve those juicy leftovers in the fridge. Just wait for your meat pie to cool and put it in an airtight container before popping it in your refrigerator. Typically, meat pie will last 3 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.
Serving Suggestions
When planning side options for a hearty slice of meat pie, you can’t go wrong with veggies. Mashed Potatoes are arguably the standard choice, but other options like Snow Peas, Cumin-Roasted Carrots, and Parsnip Fries also work great as healthy pairings. If you’re looking for something a little lighter but also super nutritious, work in a Low-Carb Keto Cucumber Salad.
Also, for those who aren’t opposed to carbs, it’s common to pair meat pies with some bread rolls, especially Yorkshire puddings. Why? Well, is there any better tool to sop up those final meat drippings? I think not!
Ingredients
- 1 medium potato peeled and diced
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Boil the diced potato until tender, about 5 minutes, then drain and mash.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and pork with onions and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the mashed potato, thyme, sage, cloves, salt, pepper, and water. Cook until well combined.
- Place one pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with the meat mixture, then top with the second crust. Seal edges and cut slits in the top crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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