Golden, flaky pastry wrapped around a rich, savory filling — these traditional Cornish Beef Pasties are the ultimate hearty comfort food. Packed with seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and aromatic herbs, each hand-held pie bakes up beautifully crisp on the outside and warm and satisfying on the inside. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or a filling grab-and-go lunch.
Ingredients
Pastry Dough:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup chilled unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup cold water
• 2 egg yolks (divided)
Filling:
• 1 lb ground beef or finely chopped cooked roast
• 1 lb waxy potatoes (red or Yukon Gold), diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the dough
Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in chilled butter until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk 1 egg yolk with cold water and stir into the flour mixture. Knead lightly until smooth. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the filling
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brown the beef in a skillet with salt and pepper, then remove. In the same pan, cook potatoes, carrots, and onion until nearly tender. Add garlic and herbs and cook briefly, then stir in Worcestershire sauce.
Combine and cool
Mix beef and vegetables together and let the filling cool completely before assembling.
Shape and fill
Divide dough into 6 portions and roll into circles. Brush edges lightly with water. Spoon filling onto one half, leaving a border around the edge.
Seal and vent
Fold dough over the filling and crimp the edges to seal. Place on a lined baking sheet and cut small slits on top to release steam.
Finish and bake
Whisk remaining egg yolk with 2 tablespoons water and brush over each pasty. Bake 30–40 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp.
Final Touch
Let cool slightly before serving — the filling will be hot and perfectly savory. Enjoy warm, pack for lunch, or freeze for later. Rustic, filling, and wonderfully comforting every time!
