Experience the taste of traditional French-Canadian cuisine with this classic tourtiere meat pie recipe. Made with a savory blend of ground meat, onions, and spices, encased in a flaky pastry crust, this dish is a true comfort food. The tourtiere meat pie is perfect for a cozy dinner or holiday gathering. It can be served with a side of cranberry sauce and a fresh salad. Follow this recipe to create a hearty and flavorful tourtiere meat pie that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground pork
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 pie crusts, store-bought or homemade
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Directions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground pork and beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the dried thyme, dried sage, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Pour in the beef or chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, until the liquid has reduced slightly.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the breadcrumbs. The mixture should become thick and cohesive.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a 9-inch pie dish with one of the pie crusts.
- Pour the meat filling into the pie crust and spread it evenly.
- Cover the pie with the second pie crust, sealing the edges by crimping them with a fork or your fingers.
- Cut slits on the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Brush the top crust with the beaten egg to achieve a beautiful golden finish.
- Place the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove the tourtiere from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy the delicious tourtiere meat pie with cranberry sauce and a fresh salad.
Interesting Facts
Tourtiere is a traditional French-Canadian dish often served during the Christmas season.
The spices used in tourtiere, such as cinnamon and cloves, were historically considered a sign of wealth and luxury.
Tourtiere is said to have originated in the region of Quebec, Canada, in the 17th century.
The name 'tourtiere' refers to the deep pie dish traditionally used to bake this meat pie.