Steak pie

What is Steak pie?

A steak pie is a savoury pie with a filling of stewed beef and thick beef gravy, all enclosed in a golden pastry shell. Sometimes, vegetables such as onions or mixed vegetables are added to the filling. The pie is usually baked until the crust is crisp and brown. It is most often served hot, and is known for its rich, meaty flavour and comforting texture. In Scotland, it is often paired with chunky chips, which are thick-cut fried potatoes.

Where does Steak pie come from?

Steak pie has long been a staple in British cooking, especially in England and Scotland. Its roots are in the tradition of enclosing meat and gravy in pastry to create a portable, filling meal. Over time, it became a familiar offering in chip shops and at football matches. In Scotland, steak pie is tied to New Year's Day celebrations, known as Ne'erday. The dish has also spread to Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, where local variations have developed.

How is Steak pie made?

To make a steak pie, pieces of beef steak are slowly cooked until tender, often with onions and sometimes other vegetables, in a rich beef gravy. This filling is then placed in a pastry case, which may be shortcrust or puff pastry, and covered with a pastry lid. The pie is baked until the pastry is golden and the filling is bubbling. In some chip shops, especially in Scotland, pre-cooked pies are reheated by briefly deep-frying them.

How and when is Steak pie eaten?

Steak pie is commonly eaten as a hot main meal, often for lunch or dinner. In the UK, it is a familiar sight at football matches, where it is enjoyed before the game or at half time. In Scotland, it is a traditional part of New Year's Day meals. The pie is often served with chips, and in chip shops, may be accompanied by salt, vinegar, or a special brown sauce known as 'chippie sauce' in Edinburgh. It is eaten both at home and as a takeaway.

Kinds of Steak pie

Regional and international versions of steak pie exist. In Ireland, a popular version called Steak and Guinness Pie includes Guinness stout, bacon, and onions in the filling. British pubs often serve Steak and Ale Pie, using ale instead of Guinness. In Australia and New Zealand, steak pies are also common, sometimes with local twists. In Scotland, the 'steak pie supper' refers to a steak pie served with chips from a chip shop.

What Steak pie means

Steak pie is strongly linked to British football culture, often eaten at matches. The British Pie Awards even have a category for the Best Football Pie. In Scotland, steak pie is a festive dish for Ne'erday, marking the New Year. The pie is also a symbol of traditional British comfort food and is widely available from chip shops and bakeries. Its presence in different countries shows its popularity and adaptability.

Questions people ask about Steak pie

Good reading and sources

• Morecambe Football Club lift top pie awardsBBC, Article

• Steak pie on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data