Best Nigerian Meat Pie

This is the Best Nigerian Meat Pie, and your family and friends will drool! Make the perfect flaky dough and fill it with delicious savory ground beef. Serve meat pie as a snack or appetizer.

The smell of these Nigerian meat pies baking in the oven is enough to have everyone lining up. The meaty, savory filling and flaky dough complement each other perfectly, making this appetizer the ultimate crowd-pleaser! The filling can be prepared in less than 20 minutes and the dough in 30 minutes.

Meat pie is a delightful street food snack enjoyed by many Nigerians. It is normally eaten in a hurry or on the go, and it is also served at parties as a snack or appetizer.

In the 1900s, many different foods and ingredients were introduced to Nigerians. One of these products was flour and popular Nigerian snacks such as African chin chin, African puff puff, and meat pie were born.

You may also enjoy this Easy Ethiopian Beef Tibs and Quick and Easy Suya Recipe.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

• This is the best Nigerian meat pie because it has a buttery homemade dough and a flavorful beef and potato filling.
• It has been tried and tested and comes out great every time!
• The beef filling can be adjusted to suit your taste.
• Double or triple this recipe to feed many.

Best Nigerian Meat Pie Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Minced beef: Use fresh ground beef to make the filling. If the beef is frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.
• Chicken stock seasoning cubes: This is used to season the beef.
• Thyme: Adds a herby flavor to the filling.
• Potatoes diced: This is a delicious addition to the best Nigerian meat pie and adds a soft texture to the filling.
• Onion: Add diced white onions to add more flavor to the filling.
• Carrots diced: Add a delicious sweet flavor to the pie.
• Flour and water mixture: This mixture prevents the meat filling from drying while the pies bake in the oven.
• Vegetable/sunflower oil: To cook the filling.

Meat Pie Dough Ingredients

• Plain flour: Use plain flour to make the dough. Do not use self-raising flour, as this includes some raising agents.
• Baking powder: Will be added to the plain flour to make the dough rise. Make sure it has not expired to get the desired results.
• Salt: This will add some flavor to the dough.
• Margarine or unsalted butter: Use cold or unsalted butter to make the dough.
• Cold water: Use cold water to make the dough.
• Eggs: Egg wash seals the pie, giving it its notorious golden color.

Tips and Substitutions

• Filling: Make sure you fill the pastry with enough ground beef filling. There is nothing worse than an empty meat pie. On the other hand, do not overfill the dough as the pies can break. Add a considerable amount of the water and flour mix to the filling to prevent dryness and ensure your filling stays moist after baking. Taste your minced beef filling and adjust the seasoning to your taste.
• Ground beef: Do not overcook it because it will become dry and rubbery.
• Meat pie dough: Do not knead the pastry too much, as this will result in a tough pastry. Ensure that the margarine and water used to make the pastry are cold before using them. Once you have combined the butter and flour, the mixture should look like breadcrumbs.
• Egg wash: Lightly brush the best Nigerian meat pie with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown meat pie. To make egg wash, crack two eggs open into a bowl, add 2 tablespoon of water, and mix for a few minutes. The egg wash will help seal the pie and give it a beautiful golden color once baked.
• Filling: Traditionally, Nigerian meat pie contains carrots, potatoes, and minced beef. However, feel free to experiment and add your favorite ingredients. For example, you can add peas or even omit the vegetables altogether. It is up to you!

How to Make the Best Nigerian Meat Pie

1. Heat a splash of oil in a large pan.
2. Then add one diced large onion, cook for a few minutes, and add 750g of minced beef.
3. Add 2 Knorr chicken stock cubes, salt to taste, pepper to taste, and a pinch of thyme, and stir.
4. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until brown.

5. Then, add 3-4 precooked, diced potatoes, 4-5 diced carrots, and 1-2 cups of flour. Mix and stir. Leave to cook for 5-7 minutes or until done.
6. Set aside and leave to cool. Flour mixture: 1-2 cups of water with 2-5 tablespoon of flour.
7. Meanwhile, add 1.5kg of plain flour, 3 teaspoon baking powder and 1-2 teaspoon salt and mix.
8. Next, add 750g of small chunks of cold margarine to a large mixing bowl.

Meat Pie Dough

9. Combine the flour mix and butter by rubbing them together with your fingertips.
10. Alternatively, add the flour mix and butter to a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
11. Pour in 375-450ml /2-3 cups of cold water and mix everything until it forms a ball.
12. Then, knead the dough and leave to sit for 7-10 minutes.

13. Preheat the oven to 170°C/340F. Divide the dough into two to make rolling easier.
14. Use a rolling pin to flatten the first dough.
15. The pastry should be about 5mm thick.
16. Cut out the pastry for each pie using a circular cutter. Repeat these steps with the remaining dough.

17. Add the minced beef filling to half of the pastry.
18. Ensure the filling is not close to the edges; you will need enough space to seal the pie.
19. Brush egg wash around the edges of the pastry, then fold the pie over. Use a fork to seal the edges.
20. Finally, grease an oven tray with margarine or butter and add the meat pies. Lightly brush each pastry with egg wash.

23. Once the best Nigerian meat pies are done, leave them to cool on a rack before serving.

24. Get ready to eat and enjoy! Serve the Best Nigerian meat pie as a snack or appetizer. You may also enjoy these Easy Beef Samosas.

Recipe FAQs

Thanks for reading this recipe; comment below if you made this and let me know how it went! Follow @simshomekitchen on Instagram, take a photo, tag and hashtag it with @simshomekitchen. 

Stay connected and follow me for more recipes on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of my latest recipes!