Favorite French Canadian Meat Pie

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + cooling Bake: 45 min.

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
I’m a seventh-generation French Canadian, and my ancestors started the tradition of serving this meat pie on Christmas Eve. One year I didn’t make it, and my daughter and I felt something was missing. The savory pie goes well with salad and fresh rolls for a lighter meal, and it’s good served in small portions with turkey and all the trimmings, too.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 pounds ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 pound ground veal
  • 1 cup grated peeled potatoes
  • 1/2 cup grated onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried savory
  • 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, divided
  • 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • Dough for double-crust pie

Directions

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pork, beef, veal, potatoes and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the garlic, seasonings and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in bread crumbs. Combine egg and remaining water; stir into meat mixture.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Fill with meat mixture. Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle. Place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edge. Cut slits in top. Cover edges loosely with foil.
  4. Bake 15 minutes. Remove foil. Reduce heat to 375°; bake 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Dough for double-crust pie
Combine 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp. salt; cut in 1 cup cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 1/3 to 2/3 cup ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 501 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.