The BEST Irish Meat Pie Recipe

Want a savory easy meat pie recipe for St. Patrick’s Day? Here’s the perfect comforting Irish meat and potato pie for your celebration this year!

Irish Meat and potato pie pin image

I’ve been publishing lots of fun sweet St. Patrick’s Day recipes, but it’s time to share a savory one.

Love traditional beef-and-potato stew? Put it inside flaky hand pies that will make your tastebuds dance. Hello Irish Meat Pies!

This comforting and traditional dish is perfect this time of year! The tender, flaky crust is stuffed meat, potatoes, cabbage, and more and is guaranteed to be a holiday favorite.

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If you like meat inside a crust, you’re going to love these meat pies! Making them from scratch can take a lot of time. That’s why I came up with this recipe that uses a store-bought pie crust to save TONS of time!

Use pre-made crust and traditional fillings to make these delicious Irish meat pies! A perfect weeknight dinner or easy lunchbox meal that is hearty, delicious, and easy to prepare.

Irish meat pie recipe finished on a plate

Irish Meat Pies Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make this ultra satisfying comfort food recipe at home.

  • Olive oil
  • Green cabbage – shredded (cut very thin)
  • Red potatoes – scrubbed and diced
  • Ground sirloin
  • Onion – minced
  • Garlic – minced fresh garlic cloves
  • Tomato paste
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Seasonings – thyme, salt, pepper
  • Ready to eat pie crust

Note: You can grab the recipe card at the end of this post for a complete and detailed list of ingredients and instructions!

How to Make this Irish Meat Pie Recipe

Don’t let the length of this recipe scare you away. Even though it has quite a few steps, it’s really a simple recipe!

Prepare the Filling

Add diced potatoes, shredded cabbage, onion, and garlic to a cast iron skillet with two tablespoons of olive oil.

Saute for 5-7 mins until it begins to turn brown.

Remove from the pan and add ground sirloin into the mixture.

Cook all the way through, then add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, cabbage, thyme, salt and pepper.

Irish meat pie recipe process photo collage

Cook another 3-4 mins. Add in 1⁄2 cup of water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low for 10 mins allowing the potatoes time to become soft.

Stir every couple of mins to ensure no burning.

Once the meat mixture is done and has been seasoned to your liking, let it cool.

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Prepare the Dough

Cut out circles (3-5 inches in diameter) from either store-bought or homemade pie crust.

The larger the circle, the bigger the pie will be when folded.

If making smaller circles, you can sandwich the meat mixture by enclosing another pie crust on top.

Fill the Dough and Bake Your Irish Meat Pies

Add meat filling to your dough. Use a fork to seal the pie crust edges together.

putting the Irish meat pies together to bake

Be sure to cut 3 slits in the top of the crust, to vent the pies

Cook in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 mins or until golden brown.

And you’re done – meat pie recipe complete! I hope you love this traditional Irish dish served at St Patrick’s Day!

Irish meat pies process images collage 3

Notes and Ideas for Making the Best Homemade Meat Pie Recipe

A Cast iron or heavy bottom frying pan and a wooden spoon are great tools for making this, the BEST meat pie recipe. 😁

Pie Crust – Pie crust is what is traditionally used. However, you could create a twist on this delicious recipe by using a can of biscuits!

Egg Wash – If you use the traditional pie crust, you need the egg wash to get that mouth-watering golden brown color. However, the biscuit method doesn’t need egg wash.

Saute in Butter – If you prefer a richer flavor, saute the potatoes, cabbage, diced onion, and minced garlic clove in 2 Tbsp butter.

Herbs – Fresh herbs work beautifully in this dish as well as freshly ground black pepper and sea salt.

Irish meat pie recipe finished in serving dishes

What to Serve with Irish Meat Pies

Serve alone or with your favorite vegetable sides.

Don’t forget the very Irish Guinness beer!

FAQs

Here are a few common questions I get from readers about this meat pie recipe…

Irish meat pie recipe finished on a plate

What is another name for meat pie?

I have heard meat pies go by several different names according to what country they are from or served in. Here are a few in case you’ve always wondered about this too!

  • tourtiere
  • shepherd’s pie
  • kidney pie
  • steak and kidney pie
  • pasty

What Cut of Beef is the Best for Meat Pies?

I used ground sirloin in this recipe. It’s a lean cut of beef.

However, you can use any type of ground meat you like. I do recommend using leaner varieties because I think they work better to provide flavor without making the crust greasy and soggy from fat drainage.

Irish meat pie recipe finished on a plate

Can I freeze these hand pies?

Yes! They freeze very well and taste just like the day you made them when you cook them.

To Reheat from Frozen: Put them directly on a baking sheet frozen and bake in the oven for 28 to 30 minutes. Check that the crust is crispy and the edges are turning golden brown.

Irish meat pie recipe finished on a plate with a bite taken out

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The BEST Irish Meat Pies

The BEST Irish Meat Pies

Want a savory easy meat pie recipe for St. Patrick’s Day? Here's the perfect Irish meat and potato pie for your celebration this year!

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1⁄4 head green cabbage, shredded (cut very thin)
  • 1⁄4 pound red potatoes, scrubbed and diced
  • 1⁄2 pound lean ground sirloin
  • 1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1⁄2 tsp thyme
  • Ready to eat pie crust
  • 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt and pepper (possibly more to suit your tastes)

Instructions

Prepare the Filling

Add diced potatoes, shredded cabbage, onion, and garlic to a cast iron skillet with two tablespoons of olive oil.

Saute for 5-7 mins until it begins to turn brown.

Remove from the pan and add ground sirloin into the mixture.

Cook all the way through, then add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, cabbage, thyme, salt and pepper.

Cook another 3-4 mins. Add in 1⁄2 cup of water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low for 10 mins allowing the potatoes time to become soft.

Stir every couple of mins to ensure no burning.

Once the meat mixture is done and has been seasoned to your liking, let it cool.

Prepare the Dough

Cut out circles (3-5 inches in diameter) from either store-bought or homemade pie crust.

The larger the circle, the bigger the pie will be when folded.

If making smaller circles, you can sandwich the meat mixture by enclosing another pie crust on top.

Fill the Dough and Bake Your Irish Meat Pies

Add meat filling to your dough. Use a fork to seal the pie crust edges together. Be sure to cut 3 slits in the top of the crust, to vent the pies

Cook in a 400-degree oven for 12-15 mins or until golden brown.

Done!

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