Savory Hand Pies

These Savory Hand Pies are packed with seasoned ground beef, veggies, and warm spices, all wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry. Perfect for an easy dinner, meal prep, or a snack on the go!

this Recipe

You know that feeling when you’re eating something so good, so ridiculously satisfying, that you almost want to hide the leftovers so no one else gets to them? Yeah… that was me the first time I made these savory hand pies.

It all started on a chilly Sunday afternoon. I wanted something comforting but didn’t feel like making an entire pot pie. I was craving that flaky, buttery crust with a warm, hearty filling, but without the hassle of rolling out dough from scratch. Enter: puff pastry and a brilliant shortcut to the ultimate comfort food.

I threw together a filling with ground beef, veggies, and a mix of warm spices. Wrapped it all up in store-bought puff pastry, baked them until golden and crisp, and bam—the smell alone had my family hovering like hungry vultures. The first batch disappeared within minutes. Lesson learned: make extra next time.

Now, these little hand pies have become a regular request in my house—perfect for quick lunches, road trips, or those nights when you just want something satisfying without a ton of effort.

Why You’ll Love This Savory Hand Pies Recipe?

• Flaky, golden crust – Puff pastry makes these extra crispy with zero effort.
• Rich, flavorful filling – Ground beef, tender veggies, and warm spices make every bite delicious.
• Easy meal prep – Make a big batch and freeze for quick dinners.
• Portable and mess-free – A fancy version of a hot pocket (but way better).
• Endlessly customizable – Swap out ingredients and play with different flavors!

Ingredient Notes:

Ground Beef

I like using 85/15 ground beef—it has enough fat for a juicy, flavorful filling without being greasy.

Onion, Carrot, Celery & Garlic

This classic flavor trio (aka mirepoix) gives the filling a rich, deep base of flavor.

Potatoes

Russet potatoes add a little heartiness and texture. Dice them small so they cook quickly!

Tomato Paste & Worcestershire Sauce

These bring bold, umami-packed flavor that makes the filling taste like it’s been simmering for hours.

Puff Pastry

Store-bought puff pastry is the ultimate shortcut for a perfectly crisp, buttery crust without the effort of homemade dough.

Egg Wash

Brushing the pies with a whisked egg before baking gives them that gorgeous golden color.

How To Make Savory Hand Pies?

Step 1: Make the Filling

Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until softened.

Stir in the garlic, ground beef, Italian seasoning, and white pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned.

Once browned, mix in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to coat everything in rich, savory goodness. Then, sprinkle in the flour—this helps thicken the filling.

Pour in the beef stock, add the diced potatoes, and let everything simmer for 25-35 minutes until thickened and the potatoes are tender.

Remove from heat and stir in thyme, parsley, and green peas for a fresh pop of flavor. Let the filling cool completely before assembling the pies. (Hot filling = soggy pastry. Don’t rush this part!)

Step 2: Prep the Pastry

Roll out the thawed puff pastry into 10×10-inch squares. Cut into 5-inch squares to make about 16 total.

Step 3: Assemble the Hand Pies

Spoon about ½ cup of filling onto a pastry square. Brush the edges with water, place another square on top, and press to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges—it looks cute and keeps everything inside.

Step 4: Chill Before Baking

Freeze the assembled pies for 15-20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape while baking.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Brush the pies with egg wash, sprinkle with flaky salt, and bake for 24-26 minutes until beautifully golden.

Let them cool for 10 minutes before digging in.

Storage Options:

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
• Freezer (Unbaked): Assemble, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes.
• Freezer (Baked): Let them cool, then freeze. Reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Variations and Substitutions:

Want to mix things up? Try these ideas:

• Switch up the protein: Ground chicken, turkey, or lamb work great!
• Make it vegetarian: Use mushrooms, lentils, or chickpeas instead of meat.
• Add cheese: A little shredded cheddar or gouda takes them to another level.
• Try a different dough: Puff pastry is amazing, but you can also use pie crust or biscuit dough.

What to Serve with Savory Hand Pies?

These are delicious on their own, but even better with a little something extra.

• Dipping sauces: Try gravy, ranch, or even a little honey mustard.
• Salad: A crisp, tangy arugula or Caesar salad balances out the richness.
• Soup: Pair with tomato soup or creamy potato soup for the ultimate comfort meal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought pie dough instead of puff pastry?

Yep! The texture will be different, but still delicious.

Can I make them smaller for appetizers?

Definitely! Just cut the pastry into smaller squares and adjust the baking time.

How do I keep the filling from leaking out?

Make sure to seal the edges well and don’t overfill them.

These Savory Hand Pies are everything I love about comfort food—flaky, flavorful, and completely satisfying. Whether you make them for dinner, meal prep, or just because, they’re bound to become a favorite.

So tell me—are you team puff pastry or team pie crust? Let me know in the comments!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings (3 Ingredients)

Rich and Creamy Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese

Baked Ziti With Meat Sauce

Savory Hand Pies

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Indulge, in a world of mouthwatering pleasure with these crafted Savory Hand Pies. Within each flaky puff pastry pocket you'll discover the combination of ground beef, tender veggies and fragrant herbs. The buttery crust perfectly complements the filling creating a blend of comfort and elegance in every bite. These pies are, like elevated versions of a pot roast wrapped in a personal pastry shell. A feast that brings the warmth and coziness of homemade cooking to any occasion whether it's a lively family dinner or a serene moment enjoying nature's beauty.

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8 Servings

Ingredients

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• 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

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Instructions

 

1. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Allow the mixture to simmer covered until the potatoes become tender and the sauce thickens, which typically takes around 25 to 35 minutes.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Continue assembling all hand pies following this process then freeze them for 15 to 20 minutes.

To prepare for baking:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Apply an egg wash, on the pies. Sprinkle them with salt.
3. Arrange the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake them for 24 to 26 minutes. Until they turn golden brown.
5. Allow the hand pies to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Enjoy these treats while they are still warm!

Notes

Let's wrap the heartiness of a traditional meat and vegetable medley in a gluten-free embrace with these Savory Hand Pies. Begin by selecting a gluten-free puff pastry, a marvel of the modern pantry, ensuring that the flaky, buttery joys of a good pie crust are accessible to all. Opt for a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend when thickening your filling, one that promises to mingle seamlessly with your robust beef stock and tender vegetables. As you craft these pies, let the absence of gluten be your canvas for creativity, not a limitation, and watch as the pies emerge from the oven just as golden and tempting as their wheat-based counterparts.

Audrey

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Bitty

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!

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