Rustic Homestyle Steak Pie Recipe: A Hearty Family Favorite

Hearty Scottish steak pie captures the essence of comfort food with its rich, savory filling and golden pastry crust.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish in kitchens across the United Kingdom.

Tender beef chunks slowly simmer in a robust gravy, promising deep flavors that warm you from the inside.

Flaky pastry crowns the meat, creating a delightful contrast between crisp top and succulent filling.

Robust seasonings like thyme and black pepper dance through the gravy, enhancing every bite.

Memories of Sunday lunches and family gatherings surge with each forkful of this traditional favorite.

Dive into this recipe and experience a taste of Scotland’s culinary heritage that will make your meal unforgettable.

Why Nigella Steak Pie Recipe Feels So Satisfying

• Conquer Complex Cooking: Despite multiple steps, this steak pie recipe guides home cooks through an approachable culinary adventure with clear, manageable instructions.
• Create Restaurant-Quality Comfort: Transform everyday ingredients into a luxurious, hearty meal that rivals professional chefs' techniques, delivering restaurant-style dining at home.
• Boost Family Meal Excitement: Impress loved ones with a classic dish that combines tender steak, rich gravy, and flaky pastry, guaranteed to bring everyone together around the dinner table.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by preparing the entire filling in a single skillet, making this recipe perfect for busy cooks seeking delicious yet practical meal solutions.

What You’ll Need For Nigella Steak Pie Recipe

• Steak: A tender and flavorful cut of beef that forms the heart of this hearty pie.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the steak.
• Garlic, Garlic Powder: Adds depth and aromatic warmth to the dish.
• Thyme: A classic herb that brings a subtle earthy note to the pie.
• Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base for the sauce.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.
• Oil: Used for searing the steak and creating a golden-brown exterior.
• Stock: Provides a rich, savory liquid base for the pie filling.
• Tomato Paste: Offers a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, tangy umami flavor to the dish.
• Jarred Pesto: Introduces a herbal and slightly nutty dimension to the sauce.

• Puff Pastry: A light, flaky pastry that creates a golden-brown, crispy top for the pie.
• Egg: Used for egg wash to create a shiny, golden surface on the pastry.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.

How To Make Nigella Steak Pie Recipe Step By Step

Step 1: Season the Steak

Generously coat the steak with salt, ensuring every surface gets a delicious seasoning. The salt will help develop a rich, deep flavor that makes this pie irresistible.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven until it’s sizzling hot. Carefully brown the steak in batches, turning occasionally to create a beautiful caramelized exterior. This process locks in the meat’s incredible flavors and creates a stunning golden crust.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

Lower the heat and melt butter in the same pan. Add the onions and cook them slowly, stirring frequently until they become wonderfully soft and translucent. Toss in the garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing its aromatic magic.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Base

Melt additional butter and sprinkle in flour, creating a smooth roux. This will be the secret to your pie’s luscious, velvety sauce.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

• Stock
• Tomato paste
• Thyme
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Jarred pesto

Stir everything together until the sauce becomes rich and well-combined.

Step 6: Simmer the Steak

Return the browned meat to the pan along with its collected juices. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer. Cook slowly until the beef becomes tender and the sauce thickens beautifully.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer the meat mixture to a pie dish, creating a delectable base for your pastry.

Step 8: Top with Pastry

Thaw the puff pastry and carefully roll it out to cover the meat completely. Gently press the pastry around the dish’s edges to seal in all the wonderful flavors.

Step 9: Finish and Decorate

Trim any excess pastry and create small vents on top. Brush the pastry with beaten egg to achieve a gorgeous golden shine.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pie into the oven and bake until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil to prevent burning.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Remove the pie from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the filling to set and makes cutting and serving a breeze.

Enjoy your mouthwatering steak pie – a true comfort food masterpiece!

Top Tips For Nigella Steak Pie Recipe Success

• Seal in Flavor: Salt the steak generously before browning to enhance its natural taste and create a delicious crust.
• Master Slow Cooking: Simmer the beef mixture on low heat for a full hour to tenderize the meat and develop rich, deep flavors.
• Perfect Pastry Technique: Brush the puff pastry edges with beaten egg to create a golden, glossy seal that locks in moisture.
• Prevent Burning: Keep an eye on the pastry and tent with foil if it browns too quickly, ensuring an evenly cooked and beautiful pie.
• Rest and Settle: Allow the pie to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking, which helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.

Fun Twists On Nigella Steak Pie Recipe

• Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie: Replace steak with lentils, mushrooms, and plant-based ground meat for a hearty vegetarian alternative.
• Lamb Variation: Substitute beef with tender lamb cuts for a rich, traditional British-style pie experience.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free puff pastry to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Spicy Southwest Pie: Add jalapeños, chili powder, and swap Worcestershire sauce for chipotle sauce to create a zesty flavor profile.

Perfect Sides With Nigella Steak Pie Recipe

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a bold red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the rich, meaty steak pie. These full-bodied wines match the intense beef flavors and cut through the buttery pastry.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a robust dark beer such as a stout or porter. These malty brews have deep, complex profiles that beautifully enhance the savory meat and hearty sauce of the pie.
• Rustic Side Kick: Serve with a crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. The fresh, acidic notes will balance the pie's richness and provide a light counterpoint to the heavy main dish.
• Classic Comfort Combo: Add roasted root vegetables like carrots or parsnips on the side.

How To Store Nigella Steak Pie Recipe Properly

• Store leftover steak pie in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap the cooled pie securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove pie from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning. Warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
• Cut individual portions and microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stopping halfway to stir and ensure even heating.

FAQs For Nigella Steak Pie Recipe

• Why salt the steak before cooking?

Salting the steak before cooking helps draw out moisture, concentrating the meat’s flavor and creating a better crust when browning. It also tenderizes the meat by breaking down proteins.

• What's the purpose of browning the steak in batches?

Browning in batches prevents overcrowding the pan, which allows each piece of meat to develop a rich, caramelized exterior. This technique creates deeper flavor through the Maillard reaction.

• How does pesto contribute to the pie's flavor?

The jarred pesto adds a complex layer of herbs and garlic, bringing depth and richness to the sauce. It introduces additional aromatics that complement the beef’s natural flavors.

Steak Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Scottish Steak Pie delivers pure comfort straight from traditional kitchens, blending tender beef with rich gravy inside a golden, flaky pastry. Meat lovers will savor each perfectly seasoned bite of this classic dish that warms hearts and satisfies hunger with robust flavors you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless chuck (stew beef), cut into 3/4-inch pieces

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Cooking Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups beef stock
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed at room temperature

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Instructions

1. Salt the steak thoroughly, ensuring even coverage across the entire surface.
2. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven at high temperature until shimmering. Brown the steak in batches, rotating to caramelize all sides, approximately 10-12 minutes total.
3. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter, then introduce diced onions to the pan.
4. Sauté onions until they become translucent and extremely tender, stirring frequently for about 12 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. Incorporate remaining butter and sprinkle flour, mixing completely to create a smooth base.
6. Pour in stock, tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, pepper, and pesto. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a cohesive sauce.
7. Return seared steak to the pan, including any accumulated juices. Increase heat and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil.
8. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for approximately one hour until the beef becomes tender and the sauce thickens considerably.
9. Preheat oven to 400°F.
10. Transfer beef mixture into a pie dish, brushing the dish’s edges with beaten egg to help seal the pastry.
11. Gently roll out thawed puff pastry to completely cover the meat filling. Press pastry edges firmly against the dish to create a tight seal.
12. Trim excess pastry and create small ventilation slits using a sharp knife. Generously brush the pastry surface with whisked egg for a golden finish.
13. Bake for 40-50 minutes until pastry turns rich golden brown. If pastry browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
14. Remove from oven and allow pie to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps the filling set and makes cutting easier.

Notes

• Enhance meat tenderness by choosing chuck or stewing steak with good marbling for maximum flavor and softness.
• Control salt levels by using low-sodium stock if watching sodium intake or prefer less saltiness in the dish.
• Boost herbal complexity by substituting dried thyme with fresh thyme leaves for more vibrant aromatic profile.
• Create gluten-free variation by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when thickening sauce.

• Prep Time: About 20 minutes
• Cook Time: About 1 hour 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 675 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg