There are many different types of meat pies that you can find throughout New Zealand.
But it’s hard to find an article that explains the different types of meat pies in an easy-to-follow way.
Whether you’re from New Zealand or looking to visit, this guide to the different types of meat pies will provide enough information to make the most out of your culinary experience in the country.
Let’s proceed.
1. Scottish Haggis Pie
Scottish Haggis pie is a savory dish traditionally made with minced sheep’s offal, suet, onion, oatmeal, spices, and salt. It can be served alone or with mashed potatoes or peas.
The Scots believe that haggis pies symbolize the unity between Scotland and England.
They do this because they contain a mixture of English ingredients, such as beef and lamb, and Scottish ingredients, like offal.
The types of pies also symbolize the mixing of different ethnicities in Scotland.
Because haggis pies are not typically found outside Scotland, they are often called Scottish Haggis.
They were traditionally eaten on Burns Night each year on January 25th to honor poet Robert Burns’ birthday.
2. Irish Beef and Guinness Pie
Irish Beef and Guinness Pies are a savory and hearty specialty hailing from Ireland.
These robust pies are filled with tender chunks of beef, aromatic onions, sweet carrots, and earthy potatoes, all enveloped in a rich and flavorful gravy infused with garlic, celery, thyme, and the deep, malty notes of Guinness stout.
The pie is often encased in a flaky pastry crust, which adds a delightful texture contrast to the succulent filling.
This traditional dish is a celebration of Irish cuisine, offering a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
3. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a beloved classic of British and Irish cuisine, often associated with comfort food.
Traditionally, this savory dish is made with ground lamb, which is nestled under a layer of creamy mashed potatoes.
The lamb is cooked in a rich gravy with onions, carrots, and peas, and the mashed potatoes are typically browned on top, creating a delicious crust.
While a variant known as Cottage Pie uses ground beef, Shepherd’s Pie is distinct for its use of lamb—a nod to the shepherds who tend the sheep.
There is no white sauce topping in the classic versions of this dish; the focus is on the flavorful lamb filling and the golden potato topping.
This hearty meal is a staple in both home kitchens and pubs, especially appreciated for its wholesome and rustic flavors.
4. Lebanese Sfija/Sfeeha
The Lebanese Sfija/Sfeeha are types of meat pie. Their filling mainly consists of ground beef and lamb.
Some vegetables are added, such as onions, tomatoes, and parsley. The dough is made from simple flour, water, and salt.
This dough is rolled out into circles about 10 inches in diameter. Then, fill the circles with the filling mixture and seal at the edges by pinching them together with your fingers or tucking them under themselves by pressing down on them with your thumb.
When these particular ones of different types of meat pies are done cooking, they turn out golden brown on top and have an oval shape with a scalloped edge.
5. Moroccan Pigeon Pie
Moroccan Pigeon Pie (B’stilla) is a meat pie filled with ground beef, onions, and raisins. This dessert has existed since the 12th century and is most commonly served during Ramadan.
It is made from a dough containing flour, salt, eggs, water, and oil. It is then topped with almonds or sesame seeds and baked for about 45 minutes in a hot oven.
Once it’s baked, it can be served as a sweet or savory meat pie, depending on your preference.
If you want something more savory, you might enjoy these types of meat pie as an appetizer filled with spicy harissa sauce or inside a pita pocket with eggplant dip.
6. Canadian Tourtière
Tourtière is a Que ́ be ́ cois meat pie that consists mainly of pork but can also contain other meats. It is traditionally served during Christmas and can be eaten as a main dish or as an appetizer.
Tourtière types of meat pie are usually made from half lean and half fatty ground pork, salt, pepper, onion powder, and allspice.
Some traditional recipes call for raisins soaked in rum or brandy, which are then added to the mixture before it is shaped into a pie crust-lined dish.
Other recipes use beef or venison instead of pork. Tourtière was originally made by French Canadians living in rural Quebec long ago who had limited supplies and could not afford expensive cuts of meat.
7. Empanadas
Empanadas are also one of the different types of meat pies, which are common in Latin America and especially in Argentina.
They are usually filled with ground beef and potatoes, but you can find them stuffed with any type of ingredient. Empanadas can be either baked or fried, depending on what you prefer.
In some parts, they’re made and eaten year-round, while in others, they’re only available during certain times of the year.
8. British Steak and Kidney Pie
The British Steak and Kidney Pie is a savory pie filled with chunks of beef, lamb or veal kidneys, onions, and minced suet.
It also has thick layers of mashed potato in between the filling, which gives this dish its signature crusty top.
The potatoes are cut into long slabs and cooked before being layered with the meat and onion inside a pastry shell.
These different types of meat pies are then baked for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
9. American Chicken Pot Pie
This pie originated in America, but it has become one of the most popular dishes in many countries. It is usually made with leftover chicken and vegetables, milk or cream, and various other ingredients.
It is typically baked in an oven until golden brown on top with a flaky crust on the bottom. This type of meat pie is known for its versatility, and it can be served as either an appetizer or a main course meal. There are still many different types of meat pies you may not know. Continue reading.
10. British Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie consists primarily of ground lamb (or mutton) mixed with onion, salt, pepper, and thyme. It has been suggested that the name derives from its similarity in appearance or taste to shepherd’s bread (or bread).
A simple bread made by shepherds from flour and water baked in an oven or from its use as a cold pie at English country house parties.
As a dish, it has been known since at least 1802 when Thomas Mawe included it in The Cook’s and Confectioners Dictionary, but there is evidence that it was already popular during Elizabeth I’s reign.
Shepherd’s Pie can be served as either a main course or a side dish; traditionally, it was considered the latter. Equally important to note, it is also one of the different types of meat pies that you should give a try.
11. Italian Easter Pie
In Italy, there is a type of pie called Pizza Gain, which means Italian Easter Pie. These specialties of the different types of meat pies are typically eaten on Easter Sunday.
The pizza crust is filled with ricotta cheese and chunks of ham or salami. The filling also includes beaten eggs and grated Parmesan cheese.
The eggs are what give the filling its distinctive yellow color. It’s then topped with more parmesan cheese before baking in the oven until golden brown.
12. Moroccan Tagine Pie
Moroccan Tagine Pie is a dish that originated in the Moroccan city of Taza. The pie has a sweet and savory flavor and can be served as an appetizer or main dish. It is traditionally made with lamb, but you can use beef, chicken, or vegetables instead.
In order to make the pie, you need ground meat, chopped onion, and garlic cloves, tomato paste, raisins, salt, and black pepper to taste, cinnamon (optional), water (enough to cover the ingredients), and phyllo dough.
Start by browning the ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat while occasionally stirring until it is completely cooked through. If you are looking to try different types of meat pies, here’s one of the best ones.
13. Indian Meat Samosa
Different types of meat pies? The Indian meat samosa is a type of meat pie that originates in the Indian subcontinent.
The dish is stuffed with potatoes, peas, carrots, and spices such as cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and garam masala before being deep-fried.
The samosa can be served either whole or cut into two to form semi-circles. This pie is often eaten as a snack or as part of a meal.
When served with chutney or sambal, the samosa becomes spicy and sour in flavor. Food historians have described the samosa as one of India’s most popular dishes.
The origins of this dish are unclear, but it is known to have existed in some form since at least the eighteenth century.
14. Chinese Meat Pie
Chinese meat pie, also known as the xian bing, is one of the different types of meat pies that originated in China.
It has a crispy and flaky crust and is filled with ground lamb or beef with spices like cumin and coriander.
The filling is usually wrapped in a dough made from wheat or rice flour. The bottom crust gets cooked before it’s served so it can be eaten without utensils.
You’ll often see these different types of meat pies served at breakfast time with soy sauce, pickled vegetables, chili oil, vinegar, and sesame seeds on the side for dipping.
15. British Pork Pie
The British Pork Pie is one of the most iconic different types of meat pies in the world. It is made with a crust that usually consists mostly of beef suet and lard but may also include butter or vegetable shortening.
The pie is filled with minced pork and seasoned generously with salt, black pepper, mace, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. It can be either baked or fried in deep fat.
16. Irish Lamb Pie
Irish Lamb Pie is a type of meat pie that originated in Ireland. This pie consists of lamb, beef, or pork cut into small pieces and cooked with onion, garlic, and herbs.
It’s then combined with potatoes, carrots, green peas, and seasonings before being baked in a pastry shell.
Other ingredients, such as cheese or bacon, can be used to top the pie before baking if desired. The Irish Lamb Pie can be eaten hot or cold, depending on preference. This delectable ends our list of the different types of meat pies you should give try.
