Cornish Pasties (A Handheld Meat Pie That Miners Got Right)
The Masterclass

Cornish Pasties (A Handheld Meat Pie That Miners Got Right)

Experience the bold aesthetics of Culinary Arts.

Cornish miners packed these for lunch because a pasty is basically edible Tupperware.

Hearty beef, potatoes, onion, and rutabaga (swede) wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. Crimp the edge like a handle—hold it, eat it, toss the dirty edge. Two hundred years of wisdom in one delicious pocket.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Make Dough

  1. Mix flour and salt. Cut in butter and lard until pea-sized crumbs form.
  2. Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough comes together.
  3. Divide into 4 balls. Wrap and chill 30 minutes.
2

Prep Filling

  1. In a bowl, combine beef, potato, rutabaga, and onion.
  2. Season with salt and pepper. Do NOT pre-cook anything.
3

Assemble

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll each dough ball into a 8-inch circle.
  2. Place ¾ cup filling on one half, leaving a border.
  3. Fold other half over. Crimp edges firmly.
4

Bake

  1. Brush with egg wash. Cut a small steam slit on top.
  2. Bake 45-50 minutes until deep golden brown.
5

Serve

  1. Cool 10 minutes. Eat warm or at room temperature.

Summary

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Chill Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: ~2 hours

Yield: 4 pasties

Difficulty: Medium

Storage Notes

Refrigerate Baked:

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat at 350°F for 15 minutes. Microwave makes crust sad.

Freeze (Best Method):

Freeze unbaked pasties on a tray, then wrap tightly. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 55-60 minutes.

Traditional Note:

Authentic Cornish pasties have the crimp on the side (not top). Fill is roughly ⅓ beef, ⅓ potato, ⅓ veg.

No Rutabaga?

Use carrot or turnip. Not the same, but still good.

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