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This traditional Canadian Meat Pie combines ground meat, onions, savory spices and is baked in a from-scratch pie crust.
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Pin ItFrench-Canadian Meat Pie Recipe
French-Canadian Meat Pie, aka “Tourtiere,” is a regional dish enjoyed throughout Canada and even in New England in the United States. A combination of ground meats (in this case, beef and pork) is mixed with onions, a blend of savory seasonings, and baked in the flakiest from-scratch pie crust ever. It is a dish you really need to try if you haven’t!
This is definitely a winter meal. Typically, it is eaten on Christmas Eve. The flavor suits the season well – it tastes savory and Christmasy. I don’t know if that is a thing, but I’m making it a thing. I personally think it would be out of place to eat this in the middle of the summer – but feel free to do it if you’re so inclined. No judgment here.
As you can tell, I’m not a pie crust maker … even though my pie crust edges look less than perfect, the flavor and flakiness are worth it! One of these days, I’ll figure out how to make the edges look better. 😉
Let me show you how it’s done …
Recipe for Canadian Meat Pie
Ingredients for the crust
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- shortening
- large egg
- cold water
- milk
Ingredients for the filling
- ground beef
- ground pork
- onion
- garlic
- water
- salt
- rubbed sage
- dried thyme
- ground allspice
- black pepper
- ground cloves
How to make French-Canadian Meat Pie
Time needed: 1 hour and 20 minutes
How to make French-Canadian Meat Pie
- Prepare pie crust.
In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and water – toss lightly with a fork until the dough forms a ball. Divide the dough in half. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Cook filling.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef, pork, onion and garlic until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook and stir until the water has evaporated. Set aside.
- Roll out dough and fill crust.
On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough, Line a 9-inch pie plate with dough. Spoon the meat mixture into the crust. Roll out the remaining dough to fit the top of the pie. Place over the filling. Seal and flute edges. Brush the dough with milk. Cut slits in the top.
- Bake.
Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. (If the edges brown too fast, cover them loosely with foil.) Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Note
You can save time and use a pre-made crust. However, if you have the time, I suggest making this pie crust from scratch! It is so flaky and delicious – you won’t regret it!
Canadian Meat Pie: FAQs
You can save time and use a pre-made crust. However, if you have the time, I suggest making this pie crust from scratch! It is so flaky and delicious – you won’t regret it!
Yes! You have two options:
1. You can make the filling and pie crust separately and wrap them individually. Refrigerate up to three days. When you are ready to assemble the pie, proceed with rolling out the pie crust, filling, and baking.
2. You can assemble the pie completely, wrap it in plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil, then freeze it for up to one month. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 20-25 minutes to the cooking time.
Typically we serve this with a side salad or a cabbage slaw. I have heard people serve sweet gherkins, bread and butter pickles, or even pickled beets, too. Any vegetable would be a good option, also.
How did you like this recipe
Isn’t this recipe so delish? It’s a regular in our house sometime during the week of Christmas. I hope your crew enjoyed it as much as mine does. Let me know down in the comments what your thoughts and feedback are – I love hearing from you!
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Canadian Meat Pie
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Equipment
Ingredients
For the crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup shortening
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 – 3 tablespoons cold water
- Milk
For the filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon rubbed sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and water – toss lightly with a fork until the dough forms a ball. Divide the dough in half. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef, pork, onion, and garlic until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook and stir until the water has evaporated. Set aside.
- On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough, Line a 9-inch pie plate with dough. Spoon the meat mixture into the crust. Roll out the remaining dough to fit the top of the pie. Place over the filling. Seal and flute edges. Brush the dough with milk. Cut slits in the top.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. (If the edges brown too fast, cover them loosely with foil.) Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can save time and use a pre-made crust. However, if you have the time, I suggest making this pie crust from scratch! It is so flaky and delicious – you won’t regret it!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Orignally published on January 2, 2013. Updated on November 28, 2020.
I love meat pies!!! Pinning!!
Thanks for linking up at Show Me Your Plaid Monday's!
I've always been nervous about making pie crust, but this looks simple enough for me to give it a try. Thanks for sharing it on Man Approved Monday!
I'm too spastic to make decent looking pies. I think yours looks great. The mix of beef and pork sounds really good! Thanks for linking up.
I haven't had this for years. My Grandmother used to make this for Christmas each year for us. I really need to try it myself now that she's gone.
Your Canadian Meat Pie is very interesting, I noticed it has both beef and pork. It looks delicious and I can't wait to try it, Jamie. Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Although I am Canadian I had never eaten meat pies before this week. I made some individual ones but cheated as used store bought pie crust. I used shredded chuck roast and pork tenderloin in mine and will be posting my recipe soon. I loved the taste of the spices with the meat. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday and remember to come back and vote on Sunday.
My husband will love this!
Have a great week.
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
My son has wanted nothing but beef lately. I am not a big steak person, but I like dishes like these. Thanks for sharing it on foodie friday.
Meat pie? This makes me laugh just imaging my husband's reaction! He'd love it!