Classic Tourtière

Classic Tourtière

Classic Tourtière is a traditional French-Canadian meat pie, richly seasoned and wrapped in golden, flaky pastry. It's a comforting dish perfect for gatherings and festive occasions.

Beef

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

60 min

Servings

8

Tourtière holds a special place in French-Canadian heritage, often enjoyed during the holiday season but beloved year-round for its hearty and warming flavors. This savory pie combines a blend of ground beef and pork, infused with aromatic spices like clove and nutmeg, lending it a subtly spiced depth. The filling is enriched with sautéed onions, garlic, and a touch of russet potato, which adds moisture and helps bind the savory meat mixture. The use of beef broth ensures a juicy, tender interior that contrasts beautifully with the crisp, buttery shortcrust pastry. Serve Tourtière alongside a fresh green salad or cranberry sauce to complement its rich taste, or pair it with a glass of robust red wine. This dish not only warms the palate but also brings a sense of celebration and tradition to your table.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon Canola Oil
  • 1 chopped Onion
  • 2 cloves minced Garlic
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1 lb Ground Pork
  • 1 tsp Dried Leaves Of Summer Savoury
  • To taste Salt
  • To taste Pepper
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Clove
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 cup Beef Stock
  • 1 small Russet Potato
  • 4 Shortcrust Pastry
  • 1 beaten Egg

Instructions

Begin by heating the canola oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring occasionally as they soften and become fragrant, approximately 5 minutes. This step ensures the base of your filling is flavorful and aromatic. Next, introduce the ground beef and pork into the pan, sprinkling in the savory spices—dried summer savory, ground clove, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir well, cooking until the meat browns evenly, developing rich, caramelized notes. Pour in the beef stock and bring it just to a simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low. Grate the small russet potato directly into the mixture, stirring to combine. Allow this to cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has nearly evaporated—about 15 minutes. Remember to remove the bay leaf before seasoning the filling with additional salt if necessary. For best results, remove the pan from heat and refrigerate the filling until fully chilled; a cool filling helps maintain the crust’s flakiness during baking. Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of shortcrust pastry to less than a quarter-inch thickness. Fit this dough snugly into a 9-inch pie plate. Evenly distribute the cooled meat mixture into the crust, spreading it out gently. Roll out the remaining pastry disc to the same thickness, then cut a small hole in the center to allow steam to escape during baking. Place this lid over the filling, trimming any excess pastry to leave a half-inch overhang. Crimp the edges firmly to seal in the delicious filling. Finally, brush the top crust with the beaten egg to achieve a beautiful, glossy golden finish. Bake the tourtière in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden and crisp. Once baked, allow the pie to cool for 15 minutes before slicing, which helps the filling to set and makes serving easier. Enjoy your classic tourtière warm, sharing a taste of heritage and comfort with your loved ones.

Quick Info

Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
60 min
Total Time
90 min
Servings
8