Fish pie, main dish from the United Kingdom: what it is and how it is eaten

Fish pie is a classic British dish made with fresh and smoked fish or seafood in a creamy white or cheese sauce, often topped with mashed potato. It is enjoyed in Britain and is also found in Australia and New Zealand, sometimes with added eggs, cheese, or herbs. The pie is served hot and is a staple of home cooking and special occasions.

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Fish pie is topped with mashed potato instead of pastry
It often combines fresh and smoked fish in a creamy sauce
Hard-boiled eggs and herbs are common additions
The dish dates back to at least the 17th century
Fish pies were once sent as gifts to British royalty

What is Fish pie?

Fish pie is a baked savoury dish where chunks of fresh and smoked fish, such as cod, haddock, or salmon, are mixed with a creamy béchamel or cheese sauce. The sauce is often made using the milk in which the fish was poached, giving it a rich flavour. Hard-boiled eggs, parsley, or chives may be added. The mixture is topped with mashed potato, sometimes mixed with cheese or vegetables like onions and leeks, and baked until golden. Some versions use pastry instead of potato. The pie is served hot and is hearty and comforting.

Where does Fish pie come from?

Fish pie has its roots in Britain, where it was likely created as a way to use up fish scraps, especially during Lent when meat was avoided. Early recipes from the 17th century mention pies made with eel and carp scraps. Over time, the dish evolved to use a variety of fish and a creamy sauce, with mashed potato becoming the common topping. Fish pie was also a traditional gift to royalty, with towns and monasteries baking large pies filled with fish for the king or prince on special occasions.

How is Fish pie made?

To make fish pie, fresh and smoked fish are poached in milk, then flaked into pieces. The poaching liquid is used to prepare a béchamel or cheese sauce, sometimes with added herbs. Hard-boiled eggs can be sliced and layered with the fish. The mixture is placed in a baking dish and topped with mashed potato, which may be mixed with cheese or vegetables. The pie is baked until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling. Some versions use a pastry crust instead of potato.

How and when is Fish pie eaten?

Fish pie is usually eaten hot as a main course for lunch or dinner. It is a popular family meal in Britain and is also enjoyed in Australia and New Zealand. The dish is often served on its own or with simple sides like green vegetables. It is considered comfort food and is suitable for both everyday meals and festive occasions. The pie is sometimes made for Lent, reflecting its origins as a meat-free dish.

Kinds of Fish pie

While the classic fish pie uses white and smoked fish, some versions include prawns or other seafood. Hard-boiled eggs are a common addition, and the sauce may be flavoured with parsley or chives. The topping is usually mashed potato, but some recipes use pastry. In Trinidad and Tobago, a turnover called fish pie is made, which is a different style. Cheese can be added to the sauce or the potato topping for extra richness.

What Fish pie means

Fish pie holds a place in British culinary tradition, often linked to home cooking and family gatherings. Historically, it was also part of royal customs, with towns sending fish pies as gifts to the monarchy on special occasions. The dish is sometimes prepared during Lent due to its use of fish instead of meat. Its similarity to shepherd's pie, which uses meat, is noted in its alternative name, fisherman's pie.

Questions people ask about Fish pie

What is fish pie made of?

Fish pie is made from fresh and smoked fish, usually in a creamy béchamel or cheese sauce, often with hard-boiled eggs and herbs. The filling is topped with mashed potato and baked until golden.

Where does fish pie come from?

Fish pie is a traditional dish from Britain. It has a long history in British cooking and is also popular in Australia and New Zealand.

Is fish pie always topped with mashed potato?

Most fish pies are topped with mashed potato, sometimes mixed with cheese or vegetables. However, some versions use a pastry crust instead.

Are there any special occasions for eating fish pie?

Fish pie is eaten as an everyday meal but has also been made for festivals and as gifts to royalty. It was traditionally prepared during Lent when meat was avoided.

What kinds of fish are used in fish pie?

Common choices include white fish like cod or haddock, smoked fish, and sometimes salmon or prawns. The selection can vary by recipe.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Fish pie", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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Fish pie