In Britain, there is no denying that we love a good pie! Whether you are looking for a hearty warming pie to warm your co*ckles on a winter’s day or want a lighter pie for a light al fresco lunch in summer, we’ve got all the classic British pie flavours that will keep you coming back for more, whatever the season.
The humble pie - where did it all begin?
Meat pies originated during the Neolithic period and were a sweet variety, made from oat, wheat, rye, and barley and then filled with honey before baking. The first meat pies may have originated in Greece, where water and flour were combined to create the pastry and then filled with meat and cooked. The recipe was adapted slightly, with fats added to make a stiff crust to hold chunks of meat and sauce. The pastry element was called a “coffin” or “coffyn.” It was not meant for consumption, instead used as a utensil to hold the filling, which was then thrown away after consumption or possibly given to servants after the lords and ladies of the house had had their fill.
While we consider the pie to be a classic British dish, it was, in fact, the French and Italians who refined the pastry recipe by adding butter and rolling and folding the dough to make a more appetising version.
It is thought the average Brit will consume over 2160 pies in their lifetime! So it’s fair to say that pies are a firm staple on most British menus. You’ll likely see pie as an option where hearty British fare is prevalent, like in pubs. However, many fine-dining restaurants with a British menu are also cottoning on to the fact that we Brits love a pie and are increasingly likely to have it on their menus too.
Regardless of whether you are eating out or staying in, it’s good to know what your options are. So let’s explore some of the best British pies we’re offering you right now.
Classic British pies you can buy today!
Chip shop chicken curry pie
A chip shop chicken curry pie can be just what the doctor ordered on a chilly evening. Ours is jam-packed with tender chunks of free-range chicken, swimming in a mild, sweet, tangy curry sauce, which perfectly complements the butter-rich pastry that’s holding everything together.
Cheese and onion pie
Famous British cheeses come together in this melt-in-your-mouth pie that can be eaten at any time of day! Tangy cheese, perfectly cooked onions, a sprinkling of chives and a glut of local cider are what make ours a cut above the rest!
Steak and ale pie
Steak and ale pie is a traditional British dish where a perfectly cooked pastry shell is filled to the rafters with tender slow-cooked steak, gravy and various vegetables. The early versions of this British staple were first recorded in the 18th century, where a beefsteak pudding was combined with suet. Steak pies are one of the most popular pie fillings today and are commonly served on New Year’s Eve in Scotland.
Steak and kidney pie
The steak and kidney pie is another classic British dish and a great option for meat-lovers everywhere. If you want one that’s been lovingly handcrafted and is full of tender chunks of hand-cut steak and ox kidney, simmered in a rich red wine sauce, and encased in a butter-rich pastry, why not try the offering from Mud Foods?
Chicken and mushroom pie
Chicken and mushroom pie is another classic British pie and is undoubtedly one of the most popular types of savoury pie, served in pubs, restaurants, and takeaway shops across the country. Chicken pot pie originated from Greece, where cooked meat would be served in open pastry shells called “Artocreas”. We can thank the Romans for the addition of the top crust that turned chicken pot pie into the version we know and love today.
Game pie
Game pie is a traditional British dish where the lovingly-crafted, buttery pastry shell is packed with a sumptuous, rich gravy and slow-cooked game meat. This particular version of the pie is thought to have increased in popularity during the 16th century, when pies were filled with whatever meat was most readily available, including pigeons and even blackbirds. Our contemporary version contains venison, partridge and pheasant. British game season usually runs through autumn and winter, so this is usually seen on menus during the winter months.
British pie classics - what will you buy?
If you are looking for a traditional British dish, you couldn’t get much better than a fantastic pie. These classic flavours will give you an authentic taste of the best of British cuisine, but with so many to choose from, you might find it tough to decide! At Mud Foods, we are passionate about pies and use only the finest quality, locally-sourced ingredients, so it’s no wonder our pies win awards year after year! Browse our range and pick up your perfect pie today.
FAQs
With strong ties to Cornwall, England, the pasty (pronounced pass-tee not paste-tee) is a folded pastry (often known as a hand pie) traditionally filled with a savory mix of meat and veggies.
Does the Real pie company still exist? ›
We continue to follow that philosophy even today, offering you a great selection of pies, pasties, pastries and crumbles that have all been made with quality ingredients using our very own recipes.
What is Mississippi mud pie made of? ›
Mississippi mud pie consists of a simple crust made of graham crackers, chocolate cookies, brownies or shortbread. The crust is filled with creamy layers of pudding, mousse, ice cream, cream cheese, meringue, whipped cream or whipped topping.
What is a traditional pie in the UK? ›
Steak and ale pie is a traditional British dish where a perfectly cooked pastry shell is filled to the rafters with tender slow-cooked steak, gravy and various vegetables. The early versions of this British staple were first recorded in the 18th century, where a beefsteak pudding was combined with suet.
What is the number one selling pie? ›
The clear winner for the United States as a whole was (not surprisingly) apple pie with more than 27% of sales going to the traditional flavor.
What is a co*ckney pie? ›
Pie and mash is a traditional working-class food, originating in the Docks of London. Often accompanied with jellied eels, the dish has been popularised as "a co*ckney classic". It typically consists of a minced beef pie, mashed potato, and a parsley sauce known as liquor.
What are pies called in Scotland? ›
A Scotch pie is a small, double-crust meat pie, traditionally filled with minced mutton (whereby also called a mutton pie) but now generally beef, sometimes lamb.
What is English slang pork pie? ›
Apart from the literal meaning of actual pies filled with pork, 'pork pies' is co*ckney rhyming slang for 'lies'. With rhyming slang the actual portion that rhymes is often dropped in order to further confuse the outsider, so it becomes 'porkies'. So, someone 'telling porkies' is a liar.
What is the biggest pie bakery in the world? ›
The property at 28-46 Bald Hill Rd at Pakenham was bought in 2018 to expand operations and a $20 million expansion of the Bairnsdale bakery at 160 Princes Highway was commissioned in 2019, making it the world's biggest pie bakery, sitting on 158,316 square metres.
Do peters pies still exist? ›
Our Products
From our humble beginnings to the present day, Peter's has always baked pies and pastries the proper way. Over generations, we've become known for classic pies that have become go-to comfort food. From corned beef pasties to chicken and mushroom pies, sample our full range of family mealtime favourites.
The chant was first sung in 1894 by Sheffield United supporters, and directed at the club's goalkeeper William "Fatty" Foulke, who weighed over 300 lb (140 kg). In his early career he played for Blackwell Colliery, subsequently playing for Sheffield United and Chelsea FC.
What is massachusetts pie? ›
The dessert was first created and served at the grand opening of Boston's Parker House, now widely known as Omni Parker House, nestled in downtown Boston, MA. Today, the Boston Cream Pie is distinguished as Massachusetts' official state dessert over Toll House Cookies and the Fig Newton.
What pie is Tennessee known for? ›
One of our favorite Tennessee desserts is the chess pie, a true Southern classic. Made with just eggs, butter, and sugar, with the addition of cornmeal and vinegar, this pie was the sweet born out of necessity and scarcity. People used to bake with what ingredients they had on hand.
What is Kentucky Derby pie made of? ›
Derby pie is a chocolate and walnut open-faced custard pie baked in a (pre-baked) pie shell. The pie was created in the Melrose Inn of Prospect, Kentucky, United States, by George Kern with the help of his parents, Walter and Leaudra.
What is the most famous pie in the world? ›
Apple Pie. What it is: Somehow both quintessentially English and American, this may be the most famous pie of all. In Britain it goes back to the 1300s, and the earliest recipe includes figs and raisins. Modern recipes tend to consist of apples, sugar, butter and cinnamon encased in shortcrust pastry.
What is the difference between American pie and pie in the UK? ›
American pie is a sweet tradition — apple, pumpkin, chocolate. But in Britain, pie is baked up savory — pork, duck, chicken, pigeon, sausage, pork.
Do they eat apple pie in England? ›
If I had to pick one quintessentially British food, it would have to be apple pie. It's one of the best and most popular winter desserts and a reminder of the comfort and warmth of Grandma's kitchen range.
Why are pies so popular in England? ›
As ovens became more common items in the kitchens of ordinary people so pies became a staple item of the British diet. The discovery of the potato and its spread to Europe in the 16th and later centuries led to its inclusion in the main meal of the day for most families.
