Tourtière: Traditional French Canadian Meat Pie

Experience the heartwarming flavors of a classic French Canadian Meat Pie, also known as Tourtière. This iconic savory pie features a rich, spiced meat filling tucked inside a flaky, golden crust. It holds deep cultural significance, especially during festive seasons like Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Get ready to bake a piece of Canadian tradition that truly satisfies.

Why You’ll Love This French Canadian Meat Pie

• This recipe brings the ultimate comfort food right to your table, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
• The French Canadian Meat Pie makes a fantastic centerpiece for special occasions and holiday gatherings.
• You get a hearty, incredibly flavorful dish filled with a savory blend of spiced meats and potatoes.
• It is an excellent make-ahead option, simplifying meal prep during busy weeks or holiday rushes.
• Easily customize the spices and meat blend to perfectly suit your personal taste preferences.

Ingredients

Gather your simple ingredients to create this comforting French Canadian Meat Pie. This recipe uses readily available items, making it easy for any home cook to prepare. You will achieve a wonderfully authentic flavor profile with just a few basic components.

• 250 ml chicken or meat broth
• 2 pre-made pie dough rounds
• 2 medium potatoes
• 1 egg
• 30 ml olive oil or butter
• Filling:
  • 400 g ground veal or beef
  • 400 g ground pork
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 30 ml maple syrup
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 4 powdered cloves
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder
  • ½ tsp ginger powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ⅓ tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this meat pie recipe to your pantry or preferences. For the meat, a blend of ground pork and veal offers traditional flavor. Feel free to use all ground beef, or a mix of pork and beef, for a equally delicious outcome. Chicken broth works perfectly, but you can use beef broth or even vegetable broth if preferred. Adjust the spices like cloves and cinnamon to your liking; some enjoy a bolder spice profile. Save time by using store-bought pie crusts, or make your own for a truly homemade touch.

Equipment

You only need a few basic tools to prepare your delicious Tourtière.

• Large skillet or pan
• Small pot
• 9-inch pie dish
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Pastry brush

Instructions

Creating a delicious French Canadian Meat Pie is straightforward with these step-by-step instructions. You will enjoy a rich, savory filling wrapped in a golden, flaky crust. Take your time with each step for the best results.

• First, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and cook the finely chopped onions for about 5 minutes until softened. Simultaneously, place the potatoes in a small pot, cover them with water, and boil until they are tender, which typically takes about 30 minutes.

• Next, add the ground meat (veal or beef and pork), chopped garlic, and all the spices (yellow mustard, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper) to the skillet with the onions. Cook this mixture, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Pour in the chicken or meat broth and the maple syrup.
• Let the mixture simmer uncovered for approximately 40 minutes, or until almost all the liquid has evaporated, concentrating the flavors.

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). While the oven preheats, take one of your pre-made pie dough rounds and carefully place it into your 9-inch pie dish. Prick the bottom crust with a fork several times. Pre-bake this bottom crust for 5 minutes to help prevent a soggy bottom.

• Once your potatoes are tender, drain them and cut them into small, uniform cubes. Add these cubed potatoes to the cooled meat mixture and mix thoroughly to combine. Allow the filling to cool slightly before assembling the pie.

• Carefully spoon the cooled meat and potato filling into the pre-baked bottom pie crust, spreading it evenly. Place the second pie dough round over the filling to form the top crust. Press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together firmly to seal the pie. You can crimp them decoratively with a fork or your fingers.

• Make a small cut or a few small holes in the center of the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.

• In a small bowl, beat the egg to create an egg wash. Brush this egg wash evenly over the entire top crust of the pie. You can sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt over the egg wash for extra flavor and color.

• Finally, bake the French Canadian Meat Pie in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 40 minutes. Bake until the crust is beautifully golden brown and the filling is bubbly and heated through. Let the pie rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Cool your meat filling completely before adding it to the pie crust. This step prevents the bottom crust from becoming soggy. To ensure a perfectly crisp bottom crust, lightly pre-bake it for a few minutes before adding the filling.

Adjust the spices in your Tourtière to suit your family’s taste; some prefer more cinnamon, while others like a bolder clove flavor. Achieve a beautiful golden crust by brushing the top generously with an egg wash before baking. If your pie crust is browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serve your warm French Canadian Meat Pie with traditional accompaniments like homemade ketchup, fruit preserves, or a simple green salad. It pairs wonderfully with pickled beets or gherkins. This pie is excellent for meal prepping. You can freeze a baked pie by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, lasting up to 3 months.

To freeze an unbaked pie, assemble it, wrap it well, and freeze. When ready to bake, add about 20-30 minutes to the baking time, baking from frozen. Reheat slices in the oven or microwave.

Experiment with different meat combinations like venison, ground chicken, or turkey for a unique flavor. You can also vary the spice mix, perhaps adding a pinch of allspice or bay leaf for depth. Consider making individual mini pies using muffin tins for easy serving and portion control.

Nutrition

Enjoying a slice of French Canadian Meat Pie offers a hearty meal. This nutritional information provides estimated values based on the recipe.

This information is for one serving of this delicious meat pie. Values can vary slightly based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

FAQ

Conclusion

This traditional French Canadian Meat Pie brings comforting, rustic flavors right into your kitchen. It is more than just a meal; it is a beloved culinary tradition, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Embrace the simplicity and rich history of this savory pie.

We encourage you to try making this classic dish and create your own cherished memories and traditions around it. Enjoy the warmth and satisfaction that comes with every single slice.

Tourtière: Traditional French Canadian Meat Pie

This traditional French Canadian meat pie features a rich and savory filling of ground meats, potatoes, and warm spices, baked in a double-crust pastry until golden brown.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings 8 slices

Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

• Skillet or large pan
• Small pot
• oven
• Pie mould
• Small bowl
• Brush

Ingredients

  

Tourtière Ingredients

• 250 ml chicken broth or meat broth
• 2 rounds pre-made pie dough
• 2 potatoes medium sized
• 1 egg
• 30 ml olive oil or butter

Filling

• 400 g ground veal or beef
• 400 g ground pork
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 30 ml maple syrup
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 0.25 tsp ground cloves equivalent to 4 cloves
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon powder
• 0.5 tsp ginger powder
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.33 tsp nutmeg
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Instructions

 

Preparation Steps

• Heat a skillet or large pan over medium-high heat and cook the finely chopped onions with olive oil or butter for about 5 minutes until softened.
• Cook the medium-sized potatoes in a small pot of water until they are tender, which should take approximately 30 minutes.
• Add the ground meat, finely chopped garlic, and all the specified spices to the pan with the onions and cook until the meat is thoroughly browned.
• Pour in the chicken or meat broth and let the mixture simmer for about 40 minutes, or until nearly all the liquid has evaporated.
• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), then place one pre-made pie dough round into a pie mould and bake for 5 minutes.
• Once the potatoes are cooked and tender, cut them into small cubes and thoroughly mix them into the meat filling.
• Allow the filling to cool completely, then transfer it to the pre-baked bottom pie dough; cover with the second pie dough round, press the sides to seal the pie, and make a cut or hole on top for venting.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg, then brush it evenly over the top pie crust and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
• Bake the assembled pie in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and flaky.

Notes

Ensure the meat filling is cooled before assembling the pie to prevent the dough from becoming soggy. You can also make decorative cutouts on the top crust for a festive touch.