Cut through the crisp buttery puff pastry crust of this traditional Scottish Mince Beef Pie to find the delicious beef and onion filling. It’s so easy to make using ready-made puff pastry and with no pre-cooking needed for the minced (ground) beef.
What is a Scottish Mince Beef Pie?
The Mince Round
The more commonly known Scottish Mince Pie is made using shortcrust pastry and is filled with cooked beef mince and gravy. This is also often called a mince round.
My Grandfather’s Scottish Mince Beef Pie Recipe
My paternal grandfather was a butcher in Dundee, that’s him in the photograph with my grandmother on the right. He had his own butcher shop from the 1930s to 1960s.
Because being a butcher was a reserved occupation, he remained in the town and worked there all through WWII. His shop was demolished along with many of the old tenements in the Hilltown area and after that, he worked for other butchers.
My grandfather’s pie recipe is different from the classic mince round. You make the pie with puff pastry and a seasoned minced (ground) beef filling that goes into the pie uncooked, and is firm when the pie is cut.
What does the mince beef pie taste like?
The filling in the pie is similar to a good burger or meatloaf encased in crisp puff pastry.
Can you buy this type of mince beef pie?
You can easily buy the Mince Round type of pie with a cooked beef mince filling. But I haven’t seen my grandfather’s type of mince beef pie in any butchers in recent years which is a shame as it is really delicious. Fortunately, my Mum got the recipe from my grandfather and I got the recipe from her many years ago.
What kind of minced (ground) beef should I use?
Use the best mince you can afford, preferably Scotch Beef but any good quality beef will make a good pie. Use beef which has some fat in it because the fat adds flavour.
How do you make puff pastry?
I make the pie with ready-made puff pastry. For this pie, I buy a block of puff pastry rather than the ready rolled sheets. Buy two packs if you want to use the ready-rolled sheets because one is not big enough to make a base and lid.
If you would like to make your own puff pastry then there is an excellent step-by-step recipe at Feast Glorious Feast.
How to make Scottish Mince Beef Pie
Let me take you step-by-step through the simple process of making this classic pie.
You will need:
- Good quality minced (ground) beef
- Puff pastry
- Onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- Eggs
- Salt & pepper
- 2 bowls
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Knife
- Fork
- 23 cm ovenproof plate (or pie tin)
Mix the ingredients
- Put the minced beef in a bowl with the finely chopped onion, seasonings and a beaten egg.
- Mix with a fork, then get your hands into the bowl and make sure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together.
Start to build the Scottish Mince Beef Pie
- Take the puff pastry and divide in two. You need a little less pastry for the base, so cut a slightly larger piece for the top.
- Roll out the pastry. Use the plate to check that it is large enough.
- Line the plate with the pastry and cut off any excess.
- Put the beef mince mixture on the pie plate, leaving approximately 2.5 cm of pastry still visible.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with a beaten egg.
Put the lid on the pie
- Roll out the remaining puff pastry and cover the beef mince mixture.
- Press down around the edges then cut away the excess pastry.
- Crimp the edges with your fingers and thumb to seal the pie.
- Make two slits in the top of the pie to release the steam as it bakes.
- Brush the top of the pie with the egg in order to give it a nice shiny top.
Bake the pie
- Place the pie on a baking tray because some of the juices may leak out.
- Bake until the pie is golden brown which will take about 40 minutes.
How should I serve Scottish Mince Beef Pie?
I always serve Scottish Mince Beef Pie with potatoes. I usually serve it with mashed potatoes, however, it’s nice with new potatoes.
Why not serve it with traditional Scottish Slow Cooker Stovies or Rumbledethumps?. Serve any other vegetables you like, I chose carrots because that’s what my grandmother would serve with the pie.
About the gravy
I can happily eat this pie as it is without any gravy. However, my family disagrees. I suggest you try it and see if you think it needs gravy. If you want to make gravy then I have an excellent recipe for Easy Blender Onion Gravy.
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Scottish Mince Beef Pie
Equipment
- chopping board
- Sharp knife
- medium bowl
- fork
- small bowl
- rolling pin
- 23 cm ovenproof plate or pie tin
- blunt knife
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 500 grams (1 pounds) mince beef ground beef
- 1 (1) small onion finely chopped
- 2 (2) eggs
- 3 teaspoon (3 teaspoon) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 teaspoon) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1/4 teaspoon) pepper
- 375 grams (1 pounds) ready made puff pastry
Instructions
- Mix the minced beef, onion, 1 beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce and, seasoning together in a bowl with a fork and then with your hands until completely blended.
- Roll out just under half the pastry and line an ovenproof (pyrex) pie plate or metal pie dish .
- Press the filling mix onto the pastry-lined pie plate, leaving a rim of about 2.5 cm. Beat the second egg in a bowl and use to brush the edges of the pastry.
- Roll out the remaining pastry to make a lid. Place it over the filling and crimp the edges.
- Brush with the remaining beaten egg and make two slits in the top to let the steam out.
- Bake at 200C for 40 minutes until golden brown.
Jerry Ko | Simply Good Eating says
Wow that beef pie looks so comforting and delicious!
Baking Addict says
This looks really good. Family recipes are the best. Love the pictures of your family. Your nan looks amazing!
Phil in the Kitchen says
You must be very proud of that heritage and to have recipes passed on in that way. You have some excellent family photos too. Thanks for sharing this recipe and those memories.
LDH says
What a wonderful heritage and wonderful looking Mince Beef pie!
Love the photos!
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
look at those cool pictures of the family!… I love your mince beef pie, stunning!
Karen S Booth says
I absolutely LOVED this post Janice…..the photos of your family are brilliant and aren't heirloom family recipes just so precious? The pie looks fabulous and I just love the chic of your grandmother in the 1930's.
Karen
At Anna's kitchen table says
Great photos, great pie!
C says
Looks like a great pie, and how lovely to see your family and their history of baking and cooking!
Chloe Edges | Feast Glorious Feast says
Looks lush Janice, and I much prefer the idea of the mince being cooked from raw rather than cooking in gravy and then being added. Thanks for including the link to my homemade pastry. I do use ready made alot of the time but it’s such a treat to make and use homemade on occasion!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Chloe. It’s one of those recipes that is so easy to make and relies on excellent ingredients for its flaovur.
jacqui - Recipes Made Easy/only Crumbs Remain says
oh my that pie looks amazing. I could just eat a slice now on to my list for mid week next week
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Jacqui. I look forward to hearing how you like it.
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
This looks like proper comfort food. The colour on that pastry is so inviting. I think I might agree with your family – this pie with some gravy sounds absolutely delicious!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Cat. I did have some gravy with it this time but it does stand up to eating without.
ernest linstead says
CANNOT WAIT TO TRY IT !
Janice Pattie says
That’s great news Ernest, I hope you enjoy the pie.
Veronica says
I love a good pie!!!! Can’t wait to try this one- looks delicious.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Veronica. I hope you enjoy it.
Michelle Rolfe says
I love the look of this, growing up this is the sort of dish we would have had to feed everyone. I have some lovely butchers mince in the freezer so really should give it a go. Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Michelle x
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, it’s definitely family feeding type of pie!
Jessica Cantoni says
This sounds right up my Street Janice! I love puff pastry! Xx
Janice Pattie says
Thank you puff pastry is such a delight!
Kavita Favelle says
I’ve not heard of this but I know I’d enjoy it so much. Love the golden sheen on your pastry!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you. I don’t think many people will have heard of it, it’s very much an old fashioned Scottish pie!
Tracy Knatt says
This was super tasty, really enjoyed it. Christened “burger pie” by my 3 year old!!!
Janice Pattie says
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it and your 3 year old is spot on with the burger pie analogy!
Louise Fairweather says
I think my boys would love this. Thanks for sharing #cookblogsahre
Janice Pattie says
My sons loved it and my husband still enjoys it, so I’m sure your boys will too.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
What a great recipe! I loved reading the story about your grandfather… and so good that you have been able to preserve his recipe and keep the tradition alive! Eb x
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Eb. It’s nice to hear of other people enjoying it too.
Heidi Roberts says
When I lived in Scotland I fell in love with the pies. This one looks awesome!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Heidi. We do love our pies in Scotland!
Tom Srewart says
I’m going to try this recipe………….I was a butcher in Dundee for 6 years before moving to Canada and made the pies, birdies and sausage rolls for the butcher shop
Janice Pattie says
Hi Tom, do let me know what you think of the pie, I’d love to know if it is similar to the ones you used to make in Dundee. Janice
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That pastry looks amazing Janice. It’s so golden and perfect looking. I bet there was a crunch when you cut into it.
sherry says
who can say no to pie? not this aussie gal. how interesting to use uncooked mince. such a great and simple idea. Yum!
Janice Pattie says
Pie is so good, and this one is a family favourite.
mary coleman says
since coming to australia from scotland miss the pies and all your recipes.are so good janice.And Happy New Year to you and your Family
Janice Pattie says
Thank you so much for your kind comments, Mary. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
sherry says
pie glorious pie. yum! love the old photo of your grandparents too. and i’m drooling over this pie.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Sherry. It’s a lovely pie and so many memories for me.
Carol Lumsden says
As a Scot living in Canada I so look forward to receiving these emails and checking out the fabulous recipes. I made this pie on the weekend and could not believe how wonderful it looked coming out of the oven after so little effort. Definitely a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing.
Carol
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Carol. It’s great to hear that you enjoy my recipes and newsletter. The pie is really special to me because it’s my grandpa’s recipe so I love to hear when it’s enjoyed by others too.
Jayne says
Janice I have only found your site recently and am enjoying a number of your recipes. My grandfather was also a butcher with his own shops and while we lost him a long time ago, I still buy my meat from a butcher, not a supermarket, he also taught me to love all cuts of meat, he continued to butcher his own meat long after he had retired. He was also a great cook, unusual in a man of his generation. I am looking forward to trying your recipe for this pie. Your site is full of wonderful recipes, using good food, which I would describe as wholesome family food, so thank you.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you for your kind comments. It was lovely to hear about your grandfather.
Kathleen B Curley says
my mother use make the filling but she would make it biscuit dough so each had our own.
Janice Pattie says
That sound delicious!