Louisiana Fried Meat Pies with Cajun Tartar Sauce
Crispy, golden, and brimming with bold Louisiana flavors, these Louisiana Fried Meat Pies with Cajun Tartar Sauce are the ultimate Southern comfort food. Featuring a savory filling of perfectly seasoned ground beef, pork, and aromatic vegetables, these flaky, deep-fried hand pies are a delightful marriage of texture and taste. The homemade pie dough, tender yet sturdy, encases the spiced filling, while the Cajun tartar sauce—made with tangy dill pickle relish, zesty hot sauce, and a splash of lemon—adds a creamy, flavorful twist. Whether you're hosting a Mardi Gras celebration or simply craving a taste of the South, these easy-to-make meat pies paired with their zippy dipping sauce are sure to impress. Perfect for parties, snacks, or even a hearty appetizer, every bite delivers authentic Cajun-inspired satisfaction.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Ground pork
- 1 Green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 Small onion, finely chopped
- 1 Celery stalk, finely chopped
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup Shortening (or butter), chilled
- 0.75 cup Ice-cold water
- 4 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (for sauce)
Instructions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and ground pork until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Add the green bell pepper, onion, celery, and garlic to the skillet with the meat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the filling from heat and let it cool.
To make the pie dough, combine the flour and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Cut the chilled shortening into the flour using a pastry blender or forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together. Form it into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 4-5 inch circles using a cutter or the rim of a bowl.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling onto one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges with a fork to seal.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the pies in batches for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
To make the Cajun tartar sauce, whisk together the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, hot sauce, lemon juice, and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve the hot fried meat pies with the Cajun tartar sauce as a dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
12482 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1259.1 g | 1614% | |
| Saturated Fat | 253.9 g | 1270% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 877 mg | 292% | |
| Sodium | 3762 mg | 164% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 231.3 g | 84% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.1 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.3 g | ||
| Protein | 164.1 g | 328% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 260 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 22.4 mg | 124% | |
| Potassium | 2040 mg | 43% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
