Savory Hand Pies – If you’re looking for a handheld meal that warms your heart then these mouthwatering Savory Hand Pies are the answer. Packed with a blend of ground beef, vegetables, and herbs wrapped in a flaky puff pastry crust these hand pies are the on-the-go option for any time of day. They’re incredibly versatile. Can be personalized to your taste preferences guaranteeing they’ll be a hit with your loved ones.
The enticing aroma of these Savory Hand Pies baking in the oven takes me back to that rainy afternoon when I first gave this recipe a try. My kitchen turned into a haven as I rolled out the puff pastry while my kids curiously watched from the counter. When my husband walked in and caught the scent of pastry combined with savory filling it instantly beckoned him to join us at the dinner table. The first bite garnered approving nods and muffled compliments; even my little one couldn’t resist the crust and hearty filling. It won over our pickiest eater.
What makes this Savory Hand Pies truly special?
Our Savory Hand Pies offer an experience by seamlessly blending convenience with homestyle heartiness. They serve as a canvas for personalization accommodating an array of fillings from vegan options to delights that cater, to everyone’s palates and preferences. The buttery, pastry crust brushed with a beaten egg and baked until it turns a golden color encloses a delicious and well-seasoned warm filling. Each bite of these hand pies delivers a blend of flavors. They are perfect, for preparing in advance. Can be stored in the freezer. Whether you serve them from the oven to the table or take them on a picnic they retain their freshness and taste like freshly made main dishes should.
What You Need To Make This Savory Hand Pies Recipe?
Olive Oil & Butter: The dynamic duo begins our culinary ballet, with olive oil bringing its fruity notes to the floor and butter adding a rich, creamy twirl.
Onion, Carrot, & Celery: This classic mirepoix is the backbone of flavor, a trio that pirouettes in the pan, laying down a base of sweet and earthy notes.
Garlic: Four cloves of garlic step in like a quartet of flavors, each press releasing a pungent melody that sings through the dish.
Ground Beef: The robust lead dancer, ground beef’s 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio ensures each pie is filled with juicy, flavorful goodness.
Italian Seasoning & White Pepper: These spices are like the high notes in a harmonious chord, adding depth and a hint of spice that makes the filling dance on your tongue.
Tomato Paste & Worcestershire Sauce: A dollop and a splash, respectively, bring umami and tangy beats, enriching the filling’s savory rhythm.
All-Purpose Flour: Just like a stagehand, flour works behind the scenes, thickening the sauce and giving it body without stealing the spotlight.
Beef Stock: The liquid narrative that carries the story of flavors, beef stock soaks into every crevice, ensuring no bite is left without juicy, meaty flavor.
Russet Potato: Diced into small cubes, the potato adds a starchy contrast, a soft step in the midst of the savory dance.
Fresh Thyme & Parsley: These herbs are the final flourish, a sprinkle of green that freshens each bite like a breath of spring air.
Green Peas: Like tiny green gems, peas offer a sweet pop of color and a tender bite, the perfect encore to the filling’s performance.
Puff Pastry Sheets: The grand curtain, puff pastry wraps the filling in a flaky embrace, rising to golden heights as it bakes.
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Egg & Flaky Salt: The egg wash is the spotlight, giving the pies their shine, while flaky salt is the final bow, enhancing all flavors with its crystalline crunch.
Steps To Make Savory Hand Pies:
Step 1: Start your culinary journey by preheating your oven to a cozy 325°F. Lovingly line your pie dish with your chosen pastry, then let it rest as you build the heart of your pies.
Step 2: In a pot that’s seen countless family dinners, warm the olive oil and butter. Toss in the finely chopped trio of onion, carrot, and celery, seasoning them as you would an old friend, with salt and pepper. Once they’re soft and sharing their fragrances freely, welcome in the garlic, and soon after, the ground beef, breaking it down to the tune of Italian seasoning and white pepper.
Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire for a depth of flavor, then sprinkle the flour over like a light snowfall, mixing until it’s just a memory. Pour in the beef stock, add the potatoes, and let it simmer gently until the potatoes are tender, much like a hug from a loved one. Off the heat, stir in the fresh herbs and peas with the same care you’d tuck in a child at night.
Step 4: Roll out the thawed pastry with the same anticipation as opening a gift, and cut it into squares, ready to be filled with the savory mixture that’s now part of your family’s story. Cradle the filling in the pastry, seal it with a loving press, and crimp the edges like you’re sealing a letter filled with secrets. Before they venture into the oven, give them a kiss of egg wash and a sprinkle of salt.
Step 5: Bake them until they’re golden and proud, a testament to the love and care you’ve poured into this meal. Let them cool, but not for too long — a warm hand pie is a comfort that should be enjoyed without delay.
Tip:
For puff pastry that’s consistently flaky and golden, the secret lies in temperature control. Ensure your puff pastry remains chilled until just before assembly; this keeps the butter in the dough solid, which is crucial for achieving those beautiful layers as it bakes. When assembling the hand pies, work quickly to prevent the dough from warming up, and if it does become too soft, don’t hesitate to pop it back into the fridge for a quick chill. After assembling, give the pies a final cold snap in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes before they hit the oven. This step solidifies the fats once more, guaranteeing a magnificent rise and that quintessential, crisp puff pastry shell that encases the savory filling in the most delightful way.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?
To maintain the crispness of the pastry make sure that the filling is cool before you assemble the pies. Additionally don’t forget to chill them before baking.
Can I customize the filling?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with vegetables, switch up the meats or play around with seasonings to give it your own unique touch.
Are these hand pies freezer-friendly?
Yes, they freeze well. You can assemble the pies. Then freeze them before applying the egg wash. When you’re ready to bake them simply put them in the oven directly from frozen. Add a few minutes to account for it.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Savory Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 finely diced onion
- 1 peeled and finely diced carrot
- 1 finely diced rib celery
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 ratio
- 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 level tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ c beef stock or broth
- 1 medium russet potato peeled and diced into ¼ -½ inch cubes
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- ¼ c green peas
- 2 17.3 oz packages puff pastry sheets, frozen
- 1 egg whisked for egg wash
- Flaky salt optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Take a deep dish pie plate. Carefully place the pie crust in it setting it aside.
To prepare the filling:
- In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add onions, carrots and celery. Season, with salt and pepper and cook until they become soft.
- Add garlic to the skillet then incorporate 1 pound of ground beef. Season with 1 ½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Cook until the beef is browned.
- Include 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce into the mixture. Sprinkle in 3 level tablespoons of flour. Stir well. Pour in 1 ¼ cups of beef stock while adding potatoes.
- Allow the mixture to simmer covered until the potatoes become tender and the sauce thickens, which typically takes around 25 to 35 minutes.
- Remove from heat then add in thyme (2 teaspoons), parsley (1 tablespoon) and peas (¼ cup). Stir everything together and season according to taste preference. Let it cool completely.
For assembly:
- Thaw the puff pastry sheets. Roll them out into squares measuring 10x10 inches each. Cut them into squares that are about five inches each—this should give you around sixteen squares in total.
- Take one square at a time and place about half a cup of filling on it. Dampen the edges, with water before covering it with another square; seal them together tightly by pressing down on the edges while trimming off any pastry if necessary.
- Continue assembling all hand pies following this process then freeze them for 15 to 20 minutes.
To prepare for baking:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Apply an egg wash, on the pies. Sprinkle them with salt.
- Arrange the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake them for 24 to 26 minutes. Until they turn golden brown.
- Allow the hand pies to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy these treats while they are still warm!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
