Meat Pie Dough Ingredients: How to Make Nigerian Meat Pie
Meat Pie Dough Ingredients: How to Make Nigerian Meat Pie
These delicious pastries are packed with minced meat, potatoes, and carrots, resulting in a slightly flaky, flavorful pastry with a moist and savory filling.
Perfect as a breakfast, brunch, or snack, these meat pies are the ultimate comfort food in West Africa.
Ready to learn how to make the perfect meat pie? Let’s get started!
Ingredients for Meat Pie Dough
- 500g Minced meat or ground beef (18-20% fat)
- 700g Plain flour (plus extra for dusting and thickening)
- 380g Unsalted butter
- 1 Large egg (for egg wash)
- 4 to 8 tbsp Water (about 100 ml)
- 1 Beef bouillon cube (e.g., Knorr)
- 1 teaspoon Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 Small onion (chopped, about ⅓ cup)
- 2 Medium potatoes (peeled and cubed, about 1 cup)
- 1 Large carrot (cleaned and cubed, about ½ cup)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- Salt to taste (use about ½ tsp for the pastry)
- 1 tsp Sugar (optional)
Meat Pie Dough Ingredients: Metric Conversion Tips
- 1 cup of flour = 128g
- 1 cup of butter = 225g
- 500g ground meat = 1.1lb
- Use a kitchen scale rather than cup measurements for accurate measurements, as cup sizes vary by country.
Instructions
Making the Dough
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar (if using).
- Add Butter: Rub the unsalted butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Combine with Water: Gradually add the water and mix until the dough comes together. If needed, add more water one tablespoon at a time.
- Rest the Dough: Wrap the dough in cling film or cover it and place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to handle.
Tip: Do not overwork the dough to keep it light and flaky.
Preparing the Meat Filling
- Sauté the Onion: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
- Cook the Mince: Add the minced meat to the pan and cook until browned.
- Season the Filling: Stir in curry powder, thyme, bouillon cube, and a pinch of salt. Combine well.
- Add Vegetables: Mix in the cubed potatoes and carrots. Cook on low heat for another 3-5 minutes.
If the mixture looks dry, add a little water to keep it juicy.
- Thicken the Filling: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of flour with water to form a paste. Add this to the mince mixture to thicken it. Cook for another minute, then set aside to cool.
Assembling the Meat Pies
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 2-3 portions. Roll out each portion to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut the Dough: Use a round cutter or a bowl to cut the dough into circles.
- Fill the Dough: Place a spoonful of the cooled meat filling in the center of each circle.
- Seal the Edges: Brush the edges with the whisked egg and fold the dough over the filling to form a semi-circle. Seal the edges by pressing down with a fork.
- Bake: Arrange the pies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or lightly greased foil. Brush the tops with egg wash and pierce with a fork to release steam.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.
Additional Tips for Meat Pie Dough Ingredients
- If using salted butter, omit the salt from the pastry ingredients.
- Allow the meat filling to cool completely before adding to the dough to prevent soggy pies.
- Always use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements.
Enjoy your freshly baked Nigerian Meat Pies, perfect for any occasion!
