Pork Pie
AI-generated image
British

Pork Pie

A classic British pork pie with a crisp hot-water pastry crust and a warmly seasoned pork filling. Baked in a small springform tin, it is substantial enough for lunch and practical enough for a picnic.

120 min 6 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Heat the oven to 200°C and place a baking sheet inside. Grease and lightly flour a 20 cm springform tin, then set it aside.
2
Melt 80 g of the lard with the boiling hot water and 4 g of the salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a simmer, then remove from the heat.
3
Put the flour in a bowl, pour in the hot lard mixture, and mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. When cool enough to handle, knead briefly until smooth. Reserve one-quarter of the dough for the lid and press the rest evenly over the base and sides of the tin, leaving a slightly thick rim.
4
Mix the pork sausage meat, bacon, onion, sage, nutmeg, white pepper, and remaining salt in a bowl until evenly combined. Press the filling firmly into the pastry case, smoothing the top without compacting it excessively.
5
Roll the reserved dough into a lid slightly wider than the tin. Place it over the filling, pinch it firmly to the pastry rim, and trim away excess. Cut a small steam hole in the center, then brush the lid with beaten egg.
Sealed and glazed pork pie ready for baking AI-generated image
6
Set the tin on the hot baking sheet and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven to 170°C and bake for a further 50–55 minutes, until the crust is deep golden and the pork center reaches 74°C on an instant-read thermometer.
7
Cool the pie in the tin for 20 minutes, then remove the sides and cool completely on a rack for at least 2 hours. Slice with a sharp knife and serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Sliced British pork pie served with mustard and cornichons AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Hot-water pastry is sturdy enough to contain the juicy pork filling while remaining crisp after baking. Bacon adds savory depth, and sage, nutmeg, and white pepper give the filling the familiar British pie character.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Do not leave the pie at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

How to reheat it

For a warm pie, reheat uncovered in a 160°C oven for 20–25 minutes, until the center is hot. The pie is also traditionally served cold and should not be reheated more than once.

Nutrition / serving

695kcal
26.01 gprotein
42.13 gcarbs
46.02 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 13 Aug 2026 · updated 14 Aug 2026