Traditional English Beef Potato Picnic Pies Pasties
Transport yourself to the English countryside with these Traditional English Beef Potato Picnic Pies, also known as pasties—a comforting handheld classic perfect for any outing or gathering. This recipe features a buttery, flaky shortcrust pastry encasing a hearty filling of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, sweet carrots, and savory onions, all lightly spiced with thyme for a rustic, aromatic touch. Each pasty is beautifully golden thanks to an egg wash and is baked to perfection, offering a satisfying combination of textures and flavors in every bite. Ideal for picnics, lunchboxes, or a delightful on-the-go snack, these pasties are as practical as they are delicious. Easy to make ahead and enjoy warm or at room temperature, they embody the timeless charm of traditional British baking.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt (for pastry)
- 200 grams unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 120 milliliters cold water
- 300 grams ground beef
- 150 grams potato (peeled and diced into small cubes)
- 100 grams carrot (peeled and diced into small cubes)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for filling)
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh thyme leaves)
- 1 large egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
Make the pastry: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, diced potato, diced carrot, chopped onion, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir until evenly combined.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Divide the chilled pastry dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion out on a lightly floured surface to form a circle, approximately 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter.
Spoon a quarter of the filling mixture onto one half of each pastry circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg. Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling to create a semi-circle. Press the edges together firmly, then crimp them with a fork or by hand to seal.
Place the pasties on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg to give them a golden finish.
Using a sharp knife, cut a small slit or poke a couple of holes in the top of each pasty to allow steam to escape.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
Allow the pasties to cool slightly before serving, or let them cool completely for a portable picnic option. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3164 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 171.4 g | 220% | |
| Saturated Fat | 104.9 g | 524% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 623 mg | 208% | |
| Sodium | 4598 mg | 200% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 352.9 g | 128% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.5 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.6 g | ||
| Protein | 53.7 g | 107% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 214 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 21.5 mg | 119% | |
| Potassium | 1657 mg | 35% | |
*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.
