1 Shares

This Steak Pie from The Modern Proper is a comforting British classic made modern with a simplified, flavor-packed recipe. Tender chunks of slow-cooked beef simmer in a rich onion and garlic gravy, enhanced with tomato paste, Worcestershire, and thyme, then baked under a golden, flaky puff pastry crust. It’s hearty, rustic, and the perfect cozy dish for chilly evenings, Sunday dinners, or when you’re craving something truly satisfying.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless beef chuck (cut into ¾-inch pieces)
2 tsp kosher salt
3 tbsp vegetable oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1¾ cups beef stock
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1 large egg, beaten
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed at room temperature

Directions

1. Brown the beef:
Season beef with 1½ tsp salt. In a Dutch oven over high heat, heat oil and sear beef in batches until browned (10–12 minutes). Transfer to a plate.

2. Cook the onions:
Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tbsp butter and cook onions, covered, for 12 minutes until tender. Add garlic; cook for 1 more minute.

3. Build the sauce:
Stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter. Add flour and stir. Pour in stock, tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire, garlic powder, pepper, and remaining ½ tsp salt. Mix well.

4. Simmer:
Return beef and juices to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 hour until beef is tender and sauce thickens.

5. Prepare for baking:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer mixture to a deep pie dish or 2-quart baking dish. Brush rim with egg. Roll out puff pastry and place over dish, sealing edges. Trim excess and cut vents in the top. Brush with beaten egg.

6. Bake:
Bake for 40–50 minutes until golden and crisp. Cover with foil if browning too quickly. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (Per serving, serves 6)

Calories: 482
Protein: 36g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Total Fat: 28g
Cholesterol: 158mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 3g
Sodium: 463mg

A Dish Rooted in Tradition

Steak pie holds a special place in British and Irish culinary history. Traditionally made with stewing beef and slow-cooked to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture, it’s a staple at pubs, holidays, and casual gatherings alike. The addition of a buttery pastry crust transforms a simple stew into something more luxurious, and it turns a humble pot of meat and gravy into a centerpiece worthy of any dinner table.

This modern version retains all the soul of the original while streamlining the cooking process. It avoids overly complex steps and focuses on deep flavor, tender meat, and a beautifully baked crust—all while staying accessible to the everyday home cook.

Why This Recipe Works So Well

The key to the success of this steak pie lies in the thoughtful layering of flavors and careful cooking techniques. The beef is seared in batches to build a rich, brown crust that infuses the final stew with savory umami. Onions and garlic add sweetness and depth, while the flour helps thicken the sauce into a silky gravy that clings to every bite of meat.

Tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce add tang and complexity, while fresh thyme brings a fragrant, earthy note that pairs beautifully with beef. The result is a stew that’s robust and balanced, ready to be encased in a blanket of puff pastry and baked into golden perfection.

Puff pastry is used instead of a traditional shortcrust, simplifying the recipe and adding a light, crispy contrast to the rich filling. It’s easy to work with, quick to bake, and turns a comforting dish into something that looks and feels special.

Flavor and Texture: Rich, Buttery, and Balanced

The texture of this dish is one of its standout qualities. Inside, you have chunks of beef that are fall-apart tender, having simmered slowly in a thick, glossy gravy. The sauce has enough body to hold its shape without being stodgy, ensuring that each forkful is rich and satisfying.

The puff pastry provides a flaky, golden topping that’s crisp on the outside and buttery on the inside. It creates an irresistible contrast to the warm, savory stew beneath, offering both visual appeal and a textural component that elevates the dish beyond a simple beef stew.

The flavor is equally well-balanced. There’s savory depth from the beef and onions, brightness from the tomato paste and Worcestershire, and warmth from the garlic and thyme. Black pepper adds just enough bite, and the hint of salt is perfectly calibrated to bring it all together.

Perfect for All Occasions

Steak pie is a versatile dish that works for a variety of occasions. It’s hearty enough for a cozy dinner at home yet impressive enough for entertaining. Its presentation—golden puff pastry atop a bubbling, aromatic filling—makes it a standout at dinner parties and holiday gatherings.

It also serves well as a make-ahead meal. You can prepare the filling up to a day in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just top it with pastry, brush with egg wash, and bake fresh for an easy, stress-free meal that looks like it took hours to prepare.

Serve it with a simple green salad or steamed green vegetables like peas or broccoli for a classic pairing. Creamy mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables also make excellent sides that can soak up any extra gravy.

Tips for Best Results

To achieve the best results, start with high-quality boneless beef chuck. It’s ideal for slow cooking, becoming incredibly tender without falling apart completely. When searing the beef, avoid overcrowding the pan—this ensures proper browning and prevents steaming.

Cooking the onions covered allows them to soften and develop sweetness without drying out. Stirring in flour after the onions ensures a smooth gravy that thickens beautifully as it simmers.

For the puff pastry, make sure it’s fully thawed and cold before placing it over the filling. A cold pastry puffs better in the oven and holds its structure, resulting in a light, flaky top. Brush it generously with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish, and don’t forget to cut vents to allow steam to escape during baking.

If the crust starts browning too quickly before the filling is bubbling, tent the pie with foil to prevent burning while allowing the filling to finish cooking.

Adaptations and Variations

This steak pie is flexible and can be adapted to suit different tastes or dietary needs. You can add vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or mushrooms to the stew for extra flavor and nutrition. A splash of red wine or stout can deepen the sauce even further, giving it a more robust flavor.

For a lighter version, try using chicken thighs and chicken stock in place of beef, along with herbs like rosemary or sage. To make it vegetarian, swap out the beef for lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based protein, and use vegetable stock in the sauce.

You can also make individual pies using small ramekins or oven-safe bowls, which is ideal for entertaining or portion control. These mini pies bake faster and make for a beautiful presentation.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe

This steak pie delivers all the rich, satisfying comfort of a traditional meat pie with a modern, simplified twist that makes it achievable for home cooks. It’s filling and nourishing, yet elegant enough to serve to guests. The flavor is deep, the texture luxurious, and the pastry crisp and golden—everything you want in a cozy, home-cooked meal.

Once you’ve made it, you’ll see how easy it is to customize and make your own. The aroma alone—beef simmering with garlic and thyme, pastry puffing in the oven—is enough to make this a household staple. And because it uses common ingredients and simple steps, it’s a dish you can make again and again with confidence.

Conclusion

This Steak Pie from The Modern Proper is more than just a comfort food—it’s a celebration of time-honored flavors wrapped in a beautiful, flaky crust. With tender beef, a rich and aromatic gravy, and the ease of puff pastry, it delivers a satisfying, well-rounded meal that works for any occasion. Whether you’re craving something cozy for a quiet night in or hosting guests for a special dinner, this pie is sure to impress. Simple, rustic, and full of flavor, it’s the kind of dish that brings people together—and that’s what great food is all about.

Pin1