Why Make This Recipe
Irish Pasties are hearty, delicious hand pies filled with meat and vegetables. They are perfect for a comforting meal and are easy to make. This dish brings together simple ingredients, giving you a taste of traditional Irish comfort food. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or even as leftovers for lunch!
How to Make Irish Pasties
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 6–8 tbsp cold water (as needed to bring dough together)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup diced potatoes (peeled and cut small)
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme or mixed herbs (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until a dough forms. Shape it into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine the ground beef, diced potatoes, carrots, onion, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix everything well.
- Divide the chilled dough into 6 equal parts. Roll each part into a 6-inch circle.
- Place about 1/2 cup of the filling on one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half over and crimp the edges to seal tightly.
- Brush the tops of the pasties with the beaten egg for a nice golden crust.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden, and the filling is cooked through.
- Serve warm, with brown gravy or HP sauce if desired.
How to Serve Irish Pasties
Serve Irish Pasties warm right out of the oven. They are great on their own but can be even better when paired with brown gravy or HP sauce. You can also serve them with a side salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
How to Store Irish Pasties
To store leftover Irish Pasties, let them cool completely. Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Tips to Make Irish Pasties
- Make sure your butter is very cold. This helps create a flaky crust.
- For extra flavor, you can add different herbs or spices to the filling.
- Don’t overfill the pasties, or they may burst open while baking.
Variation
You can easily change up the filling. Try using chicken or turkey instead of beef, or add different vegetables like peas or corn for variety.
FAQs
Can I use frozen vegetables in the filling?
Yes, you can use frozen vegetables. Just make sure to thaw them and drain any excess moisture before adding them to the filling.
How do I know when the pasties are done baking?
The pasties are done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is cooked through. You can check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 160°F (70°C) for ground beef.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.
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Irish Pasties
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Hearty hand pies filled with meat and vegetables, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 6–8 tbsp cold water (as needed to bring dough together)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup diced potatoes (peeled and cut small)
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme or mixed herbs (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the flour and salt together. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until a dough forms. Shape it into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
- Combine the ground beef, diced potatoes, carrots, onion, salt, pepper, and thyme in another bowl. Mix everything well.
- Divide the chilled dough into 6 equal parts. Roll each part into a 6-inch circle.
- Place about 1/2 cup of the filling on one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half over and crimp the edges to seal tightly.
- Brush the tops of the pasties with the beaten egg for a golden crust.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden, and the filling is cooked through.
Notes
Serve warm with brown gravy or HP sauce. Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pasty
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg