Classic British Beef and Ale Pie
Inspired by a delightful evening in a quaint London pub, this Classic British Beef and Ale Pie brings the essence of British cuisine right to your kitchen. Juicy, tender beef is slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic ale and beef stock blend, combined with hearty vegetables and earthy mushrooms. The mixture is enveloped in a flaky puff pastry that rises beautifully to a golden finish. Perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings, this dish encapsulates the comforting flavors of traditional British fare, offering a warm, satisfying experience in every bite. Serve it with mashed potatoes and a side of peas for the full British pub experience!
8
Servings
481
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef roast
2-3 lbs (cut into 2 or 3 pieces if large)
flour
1/4 cup (for coating beef)
steak seasoning
1 teaspoon (use a blend like Famous Dave's)
large onions
2 (roughly chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
baby carrots
3/4 cup (cut into bite-sized pieces)
butter
2 tablespoons (for sautéing mushrooms)
mushrooms
12 ounces (sliced)
beef stock
1 pint (for cooking)
beefy mushroom soup
10.5 ounces (to enrich the filling)
ale
12 ounces (for braising the beef)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
puff pastry
1 package (ready-made)
Instructions
1
In a shallow bowl, mix 1/4 cup of flour with 1 teaspoon of steak seasoning.
2
Coat the beef roast pieces on all sides with the flour mixture, discarding any excess flour.
3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the beef on all sides. Once browned, remove the beef and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant.
5
In a slow cooker, combine the browned beef, sautéed onions and garlic, baby carrots, ale, and beef stock.
6
Cook on high for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and easily shreds.
7
After cooking, remove the beef and vegetables from the slow cooker, ensuring to reserve the cooking liquid.
8
Shred the beef, discarding any undesirable fat or pieces, and set aside.
9
In the sauté pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, then add the sliced mushrooms, cooking until they are browned and tender.
10
From the reserved cooking liquid, remove 3 cups and whisk together with 1/4 cup of flour until smooth. Add this mixture to the sauté pan and cook until the sauce thickens.
11
Stir in the beefy mushroom soup, followed by the shredded beef and vegetables from the slow cooker. Keep on low heat to warm through.
12
While the beef mixture is warming, prepare the puff pastry according to the package instructions, baking until it is golden and puffed.
13
To serve, spoon the beef mixture into individual crocks or bowls and top each with a piece of puff pastry.
Nutrition Information
28.75g
Fat
27.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Classic British Beef and Ale Pie?
It is a traditional British pub-style dish featuring tender beef slow-cooked in a rich ale and beef stock gravy, topped with a flaky puff pastry crust.
What type of meat is best for this beef and ale pie?
A 2-3 lb beef roast is recommended. It should be cut into pieces and slow-cooked until fork-tender.
How long does the beef need to cook in the slow cooker?
The beef should be cooked on high for 6 to 8 hours to ensure it is tender enough to shred easily.
What kind of ale should I use for the recipe?
You can use 12 ounces of your favorite ale; traditional British ales or stouts work best for a deep, authentic flavor.
How do I prepare the beef before slow cooking?
Coat the beef pieces in a mixture of flour and steak seasoning, then brown them in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for large onions, minced garlic, baby carrots, and sliced mushrooms.
How is the gravy thickened?
The gravy is thickened by whisking 1/4 cup of flour with 3 cups of the reserved cooking liquid and simmering it in a pan with butter and mushrooms.
What type of pastry is used for the crust?
A package of ready-made puff pastry is used to provide a golden, flaky topping for the pie.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 481 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 27.5 grams of protein per serving.
How should I serve the Classic British Beef and Ale Pie?
Spoon the beef mixture into individual bowls or crocks and top each with a piece of pre-baked golden puff pastry.
What are traditional side dishes for this pie?
It is traditionally served with mashed potatoes and a side of peas for the full British pub experience.
Can I use a specific steak seasoning?
The recipe suggests using a blend like Famous Dave's steak seasoning for the best flavor.
How do I prepare the mushrooms?
Sauté 12 ounces of sliced mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter until they are browned and tender.
Do I need to sauté the onions and garlic?
Yes, sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic in the skillet until they are translucent and fragrant before adding them to the slow cooker.
What is the purpose of the beefy mushroom soup?
The 10.5 ounces of beefy mushroom soup is added to enrich the filling and enhance the creamy texture of the gravy.
How much beef stock is required?
You will need 1 pint of beef stock for the cooking process.
What size should the baby carrots be?
The 3/4 cup of baby carrots should be cut into bite-sized pieces.
Is the puff pastry cooked with the beef?
No, the puff pastry is prepared separately according to package instructions and then placed on top of the warm beef mixture.
What should I do with excess flour after coating the beef?
Any excess flour mixture should be discarded after the beef pieces are thoroughly coated.
What if I don't have a slow cooker?
While the recipe specifies a slow cooker, you could likely braise the beef in a heavy pot in a low-temperature oven for several hours until tender.
How do I shred the beef?
Once the beef is fork-tender, remove it from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it, discarding any undesirable fat.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, the beef filling can be prepared in advance and reheated, adding the freshly baked pastry just before serving.
What category of recipe is this?
This recipe falls under the category of Pot Pie.
How much fat is in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 28.75 grams of fat.
Do I use the entire bottle of ale?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of ale, which is typically the size of one standard bottle.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 4 minced garlic cloves.
What should the pastry look like when finished?
The puff pastry should be golden brown and significantly puffed up.
Can I add salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper should be added to taste to season the final mixture.