Michigan Pasties – Easy Meat Pies

Michigan – Pasties

The next state up is Michigan. Although there are a lot of foods that are associated with this state, the pasties are pretty popular. In the upper Peninsula it’s a local tradition! It’s a savory pastry filled with meat and potatoes.

Back in the 19th century, Cornish immigrants that worked in the mines brought these convenient hand held meals for lunch. They’d heat them on their shovel over a flame and then enjoy a hot meal. It was these copper miners that brought the meat hand pies to Michigan. Although it’s evolved a bit, this pastry has become a staple in Michigan. They

even have a festival in the Upper Peninsula to celebrate this tasty dish.

There are many variations of this pie. Most have meat, potatoes and onions, but some are just vegetables. Most are made with a traditional pie crust, while a few places have gotten creative and use a puff pastry. Any way you make them, they are easy, portable, and delicious!

Here’s How to Do it:

I used puff pastry. I’ve never found a pie crust I could make! So start by either making pie crust or thawing out some frozen crust or puff pastry.

Preheat the oven to 350°.

While the crust is thawing, cook the ground beef until it just starts to brown.
Add the onions, garlic and potatoes and cook until they being to brown lightly.

pasties

Stir in the spices, broth and flour.

Simmer until slightly thickened.

Roll the dough out into four 6 to 8 inch circles. For puff pastry you’ll need to cut 4 to 5 layers.

Place one third of the meat mixture in the center, then gently fold over the top and seal the sides with warm water. Just rub the water on the edges and press.

Put the pies on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Brush the top of each with some melted butter.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Allow to cool and serve with gravy or mustard – or just eat it plain!

Notes: freeze any leftover broth in ice cube trays. Each cube is about 2 Tablespoons.

Michigan Pasties - Beef Hand Pies

Easy, delicious and portable - savory hand pies

Course: Main Course, sandwich
Cuisine: Cornish, Michigan
Keyword: beef, hand pie, onion, pie, potatoes, sandwich
Servings: 4 Pies
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
  • 20 to 25 Sheets puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 cup cubed, cooked potatoes
  • 2 large cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tablespoons beef broth
Instructions
  1. I used puff pastry. I've never found a pie crust I could make! So start by either making pie crust or thawing out some frozen crust or puff pastry.

  2. Preheat the oven to 350°.

  3. While the crust is thawing, cook the ground beef until it just starts to brown. 
    Add the onions, garlic and potatoes and cook until they being to brown lightly. 

  4. Stir in the spices, broth and flour. Simmer until slightly thickened. 

  5. Roll the dough out into four 6 to 8 inch circles. For puff pastry you'll need to cut 4 to 5 layers. 

  6. Place one third of the meat mixture in the center, then gently fold over the top and seal the sides with warm water. Just rub the water on the edges and press.

  7. Put the pies on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Brush the top of each with some melted butter. 

  8. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

  9. Allow to cool and serve with gravy or mustard - or just eat it plain!

Recipe Notes

Don't know what to do with the broth you don't use? Freeze it into cubes! 

Each cube is about 2 Tablespoons!

© Copyright 2019 The Lazy Gastronome

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