Nigerian Meat Pie
If you've got minced beef, irish potato, peeled and diced small and carrot, finely diced, you're most of the way to this beef: about 75 minutes of cooking across 7 steps. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 7 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for oven and frying pan / skillet. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (4)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy Egg
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Make the dough by rubbing the cold butter into the 350 g flour and baking powder until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs, then add the cold water a little at a time and bring it together into a firm, non-sticky dough; wrap it and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, add the chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes, then add the minced beef and fry, breaking up lumps, until it is fully browned with no pink remaining.
- Stir in the diced potato and carrot, the crumbled seasoning cubes, thyme and a little salt, add a splash of water, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Mix the 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the filling, cooking for another minute until thickened, then spread the filling on a tray to cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 180 C and line a baking sheet; roll the chilled dough out to about 3 mm thick and cut large circles using a saucer or bowl as a guide.
- Place a spoonful of cooled filling on one half of each circle, brush the edge with beaten egg, fold over into a half-moon and seal firmly by pressing and crimping with a fork.
- Arrange the pies on the baking sheet, brush the tops with beaten egg, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until deeply golden; cool slightly before serving.
You'll use: Oven · Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Large pot · Saucepan
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
Tips & common questions
How long does Nigerian Meat Pie take to make?
About 75 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 14 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Nigerian Meat Pie is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Meat pie in Northern Nigeria.jpg by Zahraswaty, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.