1. British Mushroom and Chicken Pie
By now you probably get the picture that the British really love their meat pies. However I will say this one is by far one of the most popular pies.
The filling is chock full of chicken breast along with aromatic herbs and leeks in a creamy white wine mushroom sauce. It is very satiating and rich thanks to the double cream.
Double cream is very popular in Britain and has one of the highest milk fat contents. If you cannot get your hands on some then heavy cream will work in a pinch.
With so much meat and veggies you won’t need a side for this dish. One slice is filling enough but sometimes I cannot resist eating two.
2. Cornish Pasty
The Cornish pasty is basically the British version of a meat hand pie. The inside is rife with skirt steak plus potatoes and turnips.
Add a pinch of cayenne if you want a spicy kick. Unlike most baked goods you will need to really work the dough for this one making overmixing a requirement.
It might sound blasphemous but it is a must for creating a thick crust. These take some time to make so save this for when you do not need a quick meal.
I like to make extras to freeze and have on hand so these hand pies are ready when I want them.
3. Cottage Pie
Embrace tradition and sink your teeth into this flavorful meat pie. Cottage pie is actually the beef version of shepherd’s pie.
This one uses a blend of lean ground beef and beef broth to make the filling rich and hearty. However the real secret is in the seasoning.
You will need a mixture of spices and herbs including parsley plus Italian seasoning and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
While I love the filling my favorite part is the topping. It is a thick layer of fluffy mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese.
4. Lamb Pie
Lamb is a common filling in British pies. While shepherd’s pie is the standard I love this variation.
Rosemary is the perfect herb to pair with the juicy lamb roast. This gets even better with the addition of a rich lamb gravy.
To cut through the meat you will want to add in some onions and carrots. I think some peas will also pair nicely.
As for the crust it is the epitome of perfection. I think it is a fantastic choice for a show stopping main course for holidays and gatherings alike.
5. Steak Pie
Carnivores will not be able to resist this juicy and tender steak pie. The inside is overflowing with organic stew meat and OXO beef cubes.
Similar to beef bouillon OXO beef cubes are a British staple that gives pies a more robust flavor. If you cannot find them just go with bouillon instead.
You will also need to use a double crust pie pastry to capture all this goodness. Double check to be sure it does not have any sugar because that will distract from all the savory flavors.
If you are a meat and potatoes lover I highly recommend whipping up a side of buttery mashed potatoes and gravy to go along with this hefty pie. Add in some peas and you will have a full on traditional British plate.
6. Minced Beef and Onion Pies
British minced meat pies are usually mini pies served around the holidays. But you do not need to wait to make this delicious British delicacy.
Minced refers to the meat being finely chopped. This helps it meld with the juicy filling of beef stock plus veggies and tomato paste.
I like how a simple ingredient like tomato paste makes these pies richer and more robust. You will have to make the dough for each mini pie but the entire recipe can be ready in about an hour tops.
7. British Fish Pie
Another phenomenal traditional British pie is this fish pie. Between the topping and the filling I cannot decide which is better.
The inside is like a thicker fish chowder that is rich and creamy. The outside on the other hand is all about buttery and cheesy mashed potatoes.
Also known as fisherman’s pie you will need three types of fish for this recipe. This includes white fish plus salmon and smoked salmon.
I prefer to use a semi firm white fish as anything more delicate will more readily fall apart.
8. Cheese and Onion Pie
Not all British pies are all about the meat. For instance this one is all about cheese.
I cannot resist a gooey cheesy meal and this one is no exception. It is oozing with cheddar cheese on the inside and has parmesan cheese in the crust.
Of course you will need something a bit more substantial in the filling than just cheese. So what better accompaniment than cubed potatoes?
In my book cheese and carbs go hand in hand and this recipe is rich in both. While it is vegetarian friendly it is far from keto.
But everyone deserves a cheat day.
9. Irish Stew Pie
What does this Irish stew pie have to do with British pies? More than you think.
Irish stew is a popular dish that consists of lamb and root veggies. The British pie version of this is a shepherd’s pie with lamb and a mashed potato topping.
Combine the two and you get this scrumptious stew pie.
The filling features lamb shoulder roast plus potatoes and beef stock and a dash of Worcestershire sauce while the outside is a flaky store bought puff pastry.