Nigerian Meat Pie Recipe for 20 Pieces. Best of 2024

When it comes to Nigerian snacks, one of the most popular choices that everyone loves is the delicious and savory Nigerian meat pie. With its perfectly baked crust and mouth-watering filling, this snack is an all-time favorite at parties, family gatherings, and even as a quick bite for school or work. If you’re looking to make 20 pieces of this delicacy, you’ve come to the right place! This Nigerian meat pie recipe will guide you through all the steps to create tender, golden, and flavorful pies that are irresistible.

Ingredients for 20 Nigerian Meat Pies

To begin the process, gathering all the ingredients for the perfect meat pie is essential. The following ingredients will yield 20 pieces of meat pie.

For the Meat Pie Dough:

• 8 cups of all-purpose flour
• 500g of cold butter or margarine (cut into small cubes)
• 2 tablespoons of baking powder
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 ½ cups of cold water (adjust as needed)

For the Meat Pie Filling:

• 500g of minced beef
• 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
• 3 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 seasoning cubes (or to taste)
• Salt (to taste)
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• ½ cup of water or beef stock
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Nigerian Meat Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Start with the filling because it needs to cool down before you use it in the dough. The Nigerian meat pie filling is a combination of minced meat, potatoes, carrots, and spices that make the pie savory and delicious. Here’s how to prepare the filling for your Nigerian meat pie recipe:

1. Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Brown the minced beef: Add the minced beef to the pan. Stir it continuously, breaking it into small pieces until it’s browned and fully cooked. This should take about 5 minutes.
3. Season the meat: Add the seasoning cubes, thyme, curry powder, black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
4. Add vegetables: Stir in the diced potatoes and carrots. These veggies will not only add texture but will also complement the meat with a natural sweetness.
5. Add liquid: Pour in the water or beef stock. Cover the pan and allow the filling to simmer for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are soft but not mushy.
6. Thicken the filling: If the filling seems too runny, mix 1 tablespoon of flour with a little water to form a slurry and stir it into the meat mixture. This will thicken it, ensuring the filling is not too watery, which could make the dough soggy.
7. Cool the filling: Once the filling is ready, set it aside to cool completely before filling the dough.

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Step 2: Make the Dough

While the filling is cooling, you can begin making the dough. The dough for Nigerian meat pie is a simple pastry dough that needs to be firm enough to hold the filling but soft enough to give a flaky crust.

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter or margarine cubes into the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to combine the butter with the flour. Keep mixing until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. The key here is to ensure the butter remains cold, which will give you a flaky crust.
3. Add water: Gradually add cold water to the mixture, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Be careful not to add too much water. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
4. Knead the dough: Once the dough has formed, knead it gently for about 1-2 minutes. You don’t want to overwork the dough as this can make the meat pies tough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the Meat Pies

Now that your filling has cooled and your dough is ready, it’s time to assemble your meat pies.

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the dough: On a clean, lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a round cutter (a small bowl or cup works well), cut out circles of dough. Each circle should be about 5 inches in diameter.
3. Add the filling: Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled meat filling in the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill them; too much filling will make it difficult to seal the edges.
4. Seal the pies: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with your fingers to seal, then use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative finish.
5. Egg wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg. Brush the tops of the meat pies with the beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden-brown finish.
6. Pierce the top: Use a fork or toothpick to make small holes on the top of each pie. This will allow steam to escape during baking, preventing the pies from bursting.

Step 4: Bake the Meat Pies

Place the meat pies on the prepared baking trays, making sure they’re not touching each other. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your Nigerian meat pies are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack. These pies can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, and they make a great snack or meal for any occasion. You can also store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze them for longer storage.

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Tips for Making the Perfect Nigerian Meat Pie

Now that you have the basic Nigerian meat pie recipe, here are a few tips to help you achieve the best results every time.

1. Use cold ingredients: For a flaky crust, make sure your butter or margarine and water are cold. This helps to create a light and tender pastry.
2. Don’t overfill the pies: It’s tempting to load each pie with lots of filling, but overfilling can make it difficult to seal the edges properly and could cause the pies to burst open while baking.
3. Rest the dough: Letting the dough rest before rolling it out helps to relax the gluten, making the dough easier to work with and ensuring a tender crust.
4. Avoid soggy bottoms: If your filling is too wet, it can make the bottom of the pies soggy. Make sure the filling is thick enough before using it, and if necessary, drain off any excess liquid.
5. Adjust seasoning to taste: You can always adjust the spices and seasoning in the filling according to your preference. Some people like their meat pies spicy, so feel free to add a little chili powder or hot pepper to the filling.

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Variations of Nigerian Meat Pie Recipe

One of the great things about Nigerian meat pies is that they can be easily customized to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few variations you might want to try:

1. Vegetarian Meat Pie: Simply replace the minced beef with a plant-based alternative or increase the amount of vegetables in the filling. You can add mushrooms, peas, and sweet corn for extra flavor and texture.
2. Chicken Meat Pie: If you prefer chicken to beef, you can use ground chicken in place of the minced beef in this recipe. The chicken filling is just as flavorful and delicious.
3. Fish Pie: For a seafood twist, use canned tuna or cooked shredded fish in the filling. Season it with thyme, curry, and a little pepper for a unique and tasty snack.

Storing and Reheating Nigerian Meat Pies

If you have leftover meat pies or if you want to make a big batch and store some for later, here’s how to properly store and reheat them.

1. Refrigerating: If you plan to eat the meat pies within 2 days, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can warm them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until they’re heated through.
2. Freezing: Nigerian meat pies freeze well, making them a perfect make-ahead snack. To freeze, let the pies cool completely, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped pies in a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen meat pies, bake them in a 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until hot and crispy.

Conclusion

This Nigerian meat pie recipe is perfect for anyone looking to make a large batch of pies for a gathering or for meal prepping. With its flaky crust and savory filling, it’s sure to become a family favorite. The steps outlined in this recipe ensure that you get consistent results every time, and the variations provide endless possibilities for customization.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this detailed guide to making Nigerian meat pie will help you achieve delicious results. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the process of creating one of Nigeria’s most beloved snacks!