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Top 23 British Savory Pies

Last updated on June 15, 2026

Best British Savory Pies

01

Steak Pie

4.1 ·

Steak pie is a traditional dish consisting of a pastry shell filled with stewed steak, gravy, and various vegetables, depending on personal preferences. The early versions, first recorded in the 18th century, consisted of a beefsteak pudding combined with suet. Today, the dish is popular throughout the United Kingdom, and it is traditionally served on New Year's Eve in Scotland. It is recommended to pair the pie with chips, salt, and vinegar.

02

Steak and ale pie

3.9 ·

This classic British dish is a staple of pub food, consisting of a pastry shell filled with chunks of tender braised beef, vegetables such as onions and carrots, stock, dark brown ale, freshly chopped herbs, and Worcestershire sauce. The whole concoction is topped with a layer of flaky pie crust and baked until golden brown. It is recommended to serve this comforting dish with chips and peas on the side.

03

Fisherman's pie

3.9 ·

Fisherman’s Pie is a traditional and Irish dish similar to shepherd’s pie, but made with seafood instead of meat. It typically includes a mixture of white fish like cod or haddock, sometimes with salmon or shrimp, cooked in a creamy sauce, such as bechamel, or cheddar cheese sauce. The fish is often mixed with vegetables such as peas, corn, or leeks. The filling is then topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden and bubbly. It's a hearty, comforting meal often served in coastal regions.

04

Cheese and onion pie

3.8 ·

Cheese and onion pie is an English comfort food dish. Although it is consumed all over the country, some sources suggest that it's a north-western tradition. The pie is typically made with a combination of shortcrust pastry, cheddar or crumbly cheeses, and cooked or fried onions. Common, yet non-traditional additions include potatoes, crème fraîche, and a sauce made with flour, milk, and cream. It is recommended to serve the pie warm or cold, preferably accompanied by chips and a salad on the side.

05

Shepherd's pie

3.8 ·

One of the most popular comfort foods in the United Kingdom is called shepherd's pie, a hot and savory dish reminiscent of a casserole, consisting of minced lamb or mutton meat, potatoes, onions, carrots, Worcestershire sauce, thick gravy, and seasonings such as marjoram, parsley, and black pepper. All of the ingredients are placed under a roof of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, and baked in an oven until the pie is ready for consumption. This simple delicacy was invented by shepherds in the 18th century England and Scotland. The pie became extremely popular in the 1870s, and not by coincidence, as mincing machines became widely available to the public in those years. Today, shepherd's pie is a great way of using up leftover cooked meat, but it is generally recommended to use fresh meat for a better flavor and texture of the pie. This hearty pie is a favorite in numerous pubs, homes, and restaurants throughout the United Kingdom.

06

Pie and mash

3.7 ·

Pie and mash is a traditional dish consisting of a pie filled with either chunks of beef or ground beef, and a side of mashed potatoes. Although the pies are nowadays filled with ground beef, in the past they were filled with eels from the Thames, which is the reason behind numerous Pie, Mash, and Eel shops in London. Inexpensive, yet filling, pie and mash is still a staple dish of London's working class.

07

Melton Mowbray pork pie

3.6 ·

A multiple winner of the annual British Pie Awards, the world-famous Melton Mowbray pork pie is filled with the finest fresh pork meat which is chopped and seasoned with salt and pepper. When baked, the meat filling turns grey in color, just like roast pork, and it is particularly succulent. Melton Mowbray pies are traditionally baked free-standing, without a hoop, which gives the golden-brown pastry case its typical shape.

08

Meat and potato pie

3.6 ·

Meat and potato pie is a comforting English staple that's perfect for a family meal. The pie shell is made from flour, beef suet, and cold water, while the filling is usually a combination of onions, beef (or sometimes lamb) chunks, and potatoes, whether waxy, floury, or both. This meat pie is baked until it becomes golden bown, and before serving it's left to stan for a short while. The filling can optionally be enriched with carrots. Meat and potato pie is usually made at home and it's often accompanied by red cabbage on the side.

09

Steak and kidney pie

3.5 ·

The satisfying and comforting steak and kidney pie is a classic British dish which incorporates beef steak and kidneys that are cooked inside a flaky, buttery pastry shell. This dish first appeared in written form in 1861, when it was added to Isabella Beeton’s The Book of Household Management by an unknown Sussex local. Originally prepared with a suet pastry, today it is usually made with butter and employs beef, lamb, or pork kidneys. The combination of tender beef meat, earthy-flavored kidneys, and flavorful gravy inside the pastry make this pie one of the favorite traditional British delicacies that is still found in numerous pubs throughout the country.

10

Pork Pie

3.3 ·

Pork pies are one of Britain's favorite dishes since the 1300s, when they were made in the kitchens of King Richard. Made from moist, juicy, seasoned, and minced or chopped pork, golden pork jelly, and thick, hot water crust pastry baked in small tins, they were extremely popular with hunters, travelers, and farmers because the pies are perfectly portable. Porkies are also made with chicken or beef, and today the best pies come from the town of Melton Mowbray and are still a picnic favorite, consumed at birthdays, dinners, and street parties alike. They are intended to be eaten cold, with the jelly acting as a protective layer that also stabilizes the pie. Traditionally, the pies are accompanied by mashed potatoes and thick gravy, baked beans, mushy peas, chips, or fresh vegetables, and often with a dollop of English mustard.

Best British Savory Pies

02

Pieminister

4.5 ·
Pieminister is a UK-based producer of savory pies, founded in 2003 by Tristan Hogg and Jon Simon. The company has won multiple awards for its pies, including Great Taste Awards. Pieminister sources high-quality, ethically produced ingredients for its products and offers a range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Pieminister operates several restaurants across the UK and their products are also available in supermarkets and online.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024, 2023)
03

Little & Cull

4.5 ·
Little & Cull is a producer of savory pies and ready meals. The company is known for its focus on quality and locally sourced ingredients. Their product range includes a variety of pies, from traditional meat pies to vegetarian options. Little & Cull supplies its products to various foodservice sectors, including restaurants and catering businesses. The company emphasizes sustainability in its production processes.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 3 Stars (2022)
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)
04

Cook Trading

4.5 ·
COOK Trading is an English company specializing in high-quality, ready-prepared frozen meals. Established in 1997, it operates retail stores throughout the UK and also offers online ordering. The company emphasizes the use of natural ingredients and traditional cooking methods to create handmade dishes.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024, 2023, 2022)
05

The Wagtail Kitchen

4.5 ·
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 3 Stars (2023)
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)
06

Ludlow Farmshop

4.2 ·
Ludlow Farmshop, located in Shropshire, England, is a cheese producer that crafts artisanal cheeses using milk sourced from local herds. The farmshop is part of the Earl of Plymouth's Oakly Park Estate, incorporating traditional cheese-making techniques that emphasize sustainability and quality. They offer a variety of cheeses, including soft, blue, and hard cheeses, all produced on-site at their creamery.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2023, 2022)
07

Yorkshire Handmade Pies

4.2 ·
Yorkshire Handmade Pies specializes in producing artisanal savory pies. They focus on high-quality ingredients and traditional baking methods. The company offers a variety of pie flavors, including classic meat-filled options and vegetarian choices. Each pie is crafted by hand to ensure consistency and quality.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 3 Stars (2022)
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024, 2023, 2022)
08

Perrys of Eccleshall

4.2 ·
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024, 2023)
09

For the Love of Pies

4.2 ·
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024)
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About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 23 British Savory Pies” list until June 15, 2026, 1,258 ratings were recorded, of which 1,115 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

The initial list of top producers was compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews. The list will be updated with ratings from TasteAtlas local ambassadors and TasteAtlas users.

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