For those following a ketogenic diet, comfort food can sometimes feel like a distant memory. However, with a few clever substitutions, it's entirely possible to enjoy classic dishes without sacrificing your low-carb lifestyle. Meat pies, with their savory fillings and comforting crusts, are a prime example. This article explores various keto meat pie recipes, offering options for different tastes and preferences, from traditional beef stew pies to innovative cheese and bacon variations.
Keto Beef Stew Pies: A Hearty Classic
These keto beef stew pies are a comforting dish, perfect for chilly days. Inspired by London pub fare, they feature tender chunks of beef, celery, mushrooms, and onion simmered in a rich brown gravy. The key to a truly satisfying meat pie experience is the crust. While the filling is delicious on its own, the crust elevates the dish to a new level of comfort.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make these pies, you'll need:
- Bacon fat
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Celery
- Garlic
- Beef (seasoned with salt and pepper)
- Tomato paste
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Beef broth
- Xanthan gum
- Easy keto dough
The preparation involves browning the mushrooms in bacon fat, followed by the onion, celery, and garlic. The beef is then seared and added to the vegetables. Tomato paste, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce are cooked in the pan before adding beef broth and xanthan gum to create the gravy. The stew simmers until the meat is tender, then it's spooned into ramekins and topped with keto dough. After brushing with beaten egg and sprinkling with coarse salt, the pies are baked until golden brown.
Variations and Tips
- Mushroom Substitutions: If you're not a fan of mushrooms, you can omit them or substitute cauliflower or chopped radish. Keep in mind that this will alter the flavor of the gravy.
- Crust Options: For a single large pie, use a casserole dish or deep pie plate. Alternatively, bake the tops separately and serve them together to prevent sogginess during storage and reheating.
Keto Cheese and Bacon Mini Meat Pies: A Quick and Convenient Option
These mini meat pies offer a taste of Aussie comfort food without the carbs. Baked in a muffin pan, they're perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or a quick dinner. They're also ideal for those following a higher-protein fasting approach.
Read also: Versatile Keto Meat Patties
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Bacon
- Onion
- Coconut aminos
- Tomato sauce or passata
- Beef stock or bone broth
- Xanthan gum
- Mozzarella cheese
- Edam cheese
- Cream cheese
- Almond flour
- Eggs
- Onion powder
Instructions
- Cook bacon, onion, and ground beef in a skillet until browned.
- Stir in coconut aminos, tomato passata, beef stock, and xanthan gum. Simmer until thick.
- Melt mozzarella, Edam, and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add almond flour, onion powder, and eggs to the melted cheese. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough and press into a greased muffin pan. Par-bake.
- Fill the pies with the meat mixture.
- Top with lids made from the reserved dough, seal, and cut steam vents.
- Bake until the tops are golden brown.
Tips
- Coconut Flour Substitution: For a nut-free option, use coconut flour instead of almond flour.
- Thickening: If you don't want to use xanthan gum, simply cook the filling longer to reduce the sauce.
- Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until hot and the crust is crisp again.
Keto French Meat Pie (Tourtière): A Spiced Delight
This keto version of the classic French Canadian meat pie, or Tourtière, captures the warm spices that make this dish unique. The traditional mashed potato filling is replaced with Daikon radish, which, when cooked, loses its typical radish bite.
Ingredients
- Pie crust dough (double recipe for two crusts)
- Daikon radish
- Onion
- Ground pork
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Bell’s seasonings
- Salt
- Garlic
Instructions
- Prepare the pie crust dough.
- Peel and chop the radish and onion.
- Sauté the radish, onion, salt, and garlic in olive oil.
- Add the pork and cook until no longer pink.
- Stir in the spices and seasonings.
- Process half of the pork filling in a food processor until desired texture. Repeat with the other half.
- Roll out the dough and place in a pie pan.
- Add the meat filling.
- Roll out the top pastry dough and place on top of the filling.
- Fold the top crust under the bottom crust and pinch or flute the edges.
- Brush with beaten egg and cut vent holes.
- Bake until golden brown.
Tips
- Radish Substitutions: If you can't find Daikon radish, you can replace it with red radish, turnips, or rutabaga.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with sugar-free barbecue sauce, ketchup, or pickles.
- Reheat individual pieces in a toaster oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
Keto Crustless Meat Pie: A Simple and Flavorful Option
This keto meat pie with a cheesy topping and no crust is packed with beef flavor and contains no starchy fillers. It's a simple and satisfying dish that's easy to make.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef
- Cheddar cheese
- Eggs
- Kosher salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Cayenne
- Dijon mustard
- Tomato paste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a pie plate.
- Whisk together eggs, salt, spices, mustard, and tomato paste.
- Cook the ground beef and drain it.
- Mix the cooked beef into the egg mixture.
- Stir in some of the shredded cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to the pie plate and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake until set.
- Let the pie cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips
- Beef Selection: Using lean ground beef is recommended.
- Cooking the Beef: It's important to cook the ground beef before baking the pie.
- Resting Period: Let the pie rest for 15-20 minutes after baking to allow the juices to be reabsorbed.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to three months.
Read also: Low-Carb Lunch Meats
Read also: Deli Meats on the Keto Diet: What to Eat