Cajun Meat Pies

Delicious homemade southern style meat pies loaded with peppers, onions, cheese and a multitude of spices will bring you back to you childhood. Whether you grew up on meat pies served by your mom or chowed down on one at a summer fair I hope that some day at some point of time you have been able to experience the magic of a meat pie. They are one of the most simpliest dishes you can make. Meat pies are widely known for their different variations throughout all cultures and here in the South we like to mix things up with our own blend of spices.

Our southern version of a meat pie is more commonly known as the Natchitoches pie. It is a deep-fried pie made with short-crust dough of self-rising flour traditionally filled with a mixture of browned ground pork, ground beef, green onions, red pepper, black pepper, and salt. Nouveau & fusion pies are sometimes filled with crawfish & rice, meat & rice, or other stuff. You can find these fried pies at gas stations & greasy spoons all over the south and especially once you draw near to the town of Natchitoches itself.

These tiny, hand-held, savory bites are full of smoky sausage and lots of Cajun spices and when made with frozen puff pastry sheets or refrigerated pie crust, they can be prepared in less than an hour. There are times to fry and times it is not necessary and when it comes to these amazing little pies there was no call to fry. I know my southern readers mouths are dropping right now and they are shaking their heads in dismay but honestly- I swear- they were just as good as the original fried ones. The egg wash caked on before baking gave them a nice crispy exterior and by baking them on a grill rack in the oven there was no such thing as soggy dough! I  am all for changing up methods and flavors and this time baking instead of frying was a MUST! I can’t wait for you to try this amazing recipe. As I always say, be creative and improvise as need be. If you would rather seafood just replace the sausage with shrimp, crab or crawfish or staying with the meat, swap out the sausage with turkey, beef or chicken!

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Cajun Meat Pies

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 pound sausage

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 small onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 tablespoons water

2 packages frozen puff pastry sheets, slightly thawed or refrigerated pie crust (your choice)

1/2 cup shredded cheese ( I used cheddar)

1 egg yolk plus 1 TBSP Milk

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat  oil over medium-high heat.  Add sausage and cook until lightly browned, breaking meat up as it cooks with the side of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add green onions, garlic, jalapeno, Worcestershire sauce,, thyme, salt, cumin, black pepper and cayenne pepper.  Cook until vegetables are tender.  Sprinkle flour over meat mixture; add water.  Stir to combine (this will thicken filling and keep it from leaking out of the puff pastry).  Remove filling from heat and add the cheese. Allow to cool at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.

On a floured surface, roll out one sheet of dough to 1/8-inch thickness.  Using a 3 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut dough into as many circles as you can. Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle.  Fold circle over to enclose filling; press edges together with the back of a fork. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk and milk.  Brush tops of meat pies with egg wash.  Repeat process with remaining sheets of dough.  Bake at 400  on an un-greased baking sheet; bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes.

NOTE: Pies may be frozen before cooking. Place pies in a single layer on baking sheets; cover and freeze. Transfer from baking sheets to zip-top heavy-duty plastic bags, and return to freezer. To serve, thaw pies overnight in refrigerator, and bake as directed above.

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65 comments

  1. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book

    Now these are pies I can sink my teeth into – superb and so pretty too. I also love recipes that you can make in bulk and freeze.
    🙂 Mandy

  2. Erica

    Would you believe I’ve never had one? They look so perfect. Love how you can easily switch up the fillings to have a new creation too.

  3. Kelli

    You have really out done yourself this time! You have my mouth watering right now. Love the flakiness of the puff pastry. This has me to thinking if I could use puff pastry for fried pies? Hmmmm
    Love the cutter you used as well, adds elegance to it!

  4. Natalie

    Those look delicious. Adding them to my must make meals list!

  5. nancy at good food matters

    great job on these savory little jewels. I’m not in a position to fry pies–I’d rather be on the road through MS and LA and get ’em at the local gas station or diner. I’d prefer your version at home.

  6. SaltyKichen

    I love meat pies. Now this is what I am talking about!

  7. Jihane @Sinful Sundays

    How I love meat pies. They’re so good and you can put whatever flavors and ingredients that you want in there. I love your recipe! Looks great! 🙂

  8. kitchen flavours

    Oh my! These looks so delicious! I love pies! One is definitely not enough! I think I will eat at least two of these and save some for later! Yum, yum!

  9. lena

    i love the look of your pies and also its smaller size. The best thing is with the same ingredients, we can replace this with other meat, nice!

  10. Carly

    These look totally delish. I am especially envious of how pretty your crusts are. I can never get them to look “just so.”

  11. lindsay

    girl, these look awesome! i can’t believe i have never tried a meat pie…i guess i need to change that!

  12. SharleneT.

    I love meat pies and these look delicious. I’ll be doing them in my solar oven, so the timing will be a little different. But, definitely going to use your idea of raised bottom to prevent sogginess. Yum, yum.

  13. Three-Cookies

    I love pies, unfortunately its not widely available where I live. I should make them more often. Never tried cajun pies, they certainly sound delicious

  14. Marguerite

    Your Cajun meat pies look sinfully delicious and I am drooling! Thanks for the great recipe, I will be trying them soon!

  15. Alli

    meat pie … cajun … oven baked. are you kidding me! Yum Yum!

  16. yummychunklet

    These meat pies look so cute and delicious! Great post!

  17. Mary

    DELICIOUS!! This is so funny, I have been meaning to make Cornish Pasties – which are the Cornish equilivant of your beautiful pies here – I still haven’t got around to it – but hopefully will soon – yours are a really inspiration – wish I could sink my teeth into one of these right now!
    Mary oxo

  18. The Harried Cook

    Wow! You have done such an impressive job with those meat pies… I should so make these for my husband this week! He would LOVE this…and so would I 🙂 And the best part is that they’re baked! Great recipe… Thank you for sharing this!

  19. Caroline

    I didn’t grow up on meat pies, but my neighbor makes some pretty mean ones. She’s syrian, so she adds some different twist on them. Yours look delectable though, and would put up some tough competition!

  20. Shea

    Dinner in a handy little packet? Yes please! These look so fun and delicious!

  21. Greg

    Those looks so flaky and filling. But they’re baked, so they’re healthy food. Great on all counts!

  22. Shilpa Sharma

    They look appetising to me too (even though I am a vegetarian!). I could perhaps use some veggies with cajun spices…the pastry looks amazing.,..

  23. Rachel @ the Avid Appetite

    Friend, this sounds SO fabulous. I could absolutely go for one right now…as an afternoon snack perhaps? 🙂 Love the addition of puff pastry too – it’s a never fail!

  24. Torrie @ a place to share...

    I’m rushing around getting ready for camping, but needed to pop why & see what you’re cookin’ up over here. YUMMMMMM!!!!!!

  25. Maris(In Good Taste)

    These look so perfect. Such fun to eat and healthy too.

  26. The Slow Roasted Italian

    These really sound delicious!

  27. Taylor

    Me and meat pies go way back. These look amazing and extra yummy with that no- fried crust!

  28. kankana

    I like these kind of mini pies .. And see i don’t have a pie pan so this would be a great way to make pies.

  29. daphne

    they look so cute and handy in their little pastry cases. I can just imagine eating them with one hand and the other reading a mag!

  30. TO the kitchen

    I must make these tomorrow. Fantastic doesn’t even begin to describe it. You are awesome girl. U continue to amaze me.

  31. Ruth

    They look and sound wonderful

  32. Veronica's Kitchen

    This pie is so cute and tasty, I bet my son will eat at least 5 after school. Great recipe to keep!

  33. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking

    I don’t think I have ever had a meat pie but these look just awesome!! Really they look so delicious and this recipe is one to keep and try!!

  34. sonia

    Hi there, this is looking so gud n tempting. Lovely pictures. Have a great week ahead, cheers sonia !

  35. Amelia

    Hi, this looks tempting and delicious. yum yum

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  37. Bonnie

    These looks delicious! They remind me of English pasties in looks but certainly not in imagined taste since pasties can be quite bland.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  38. thatssoron

    wow we have a similar looking pie back home , but we put curry in it “curry puffs”.

    but urs looks delish 🙂

  39. Kristy

    These look fantastic! I’ve never had a meat pie before. I think I’m going to have to put this on my list of things to try. They look absolutely fabulous! The color of the crust is amazing too. Yum!

  40. Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)

    These look incredible. My kids would absolutely DEVOUR them.

  41. Linda

    I love your blog as I’ve not had much Southern food and I’ve been learning so many new recipes and tips!! I’ve tried empanadas here in South Florida, but I’m loving your recipe with the cajun spiciness! I’d love to try the crab recipe and very excited to see that you baked these and the rack idea is perfection!!!

  42. Harriet

    Meat pies are a family favorite and I remember eating them growing up in MS so I can’t wait to give these a try!

  43. SweetandSavory

    This looks so good. I love the filling you used. I am new to your blog and absolutely love it

  44. val

    I can not control the drool that is coming out of my mouth……these pies were meant for me. You are always amazing.

  45. Mom Photographer

    OMG!!!!!! They just look soo delicious! I am so hungry right now…

  46. purabi naha

    These cajun meat pies look perfect! I’d love to try them out very soon!! Simply loved the recipe and photographs.

  47. Gopika

    I love your meat pies. They looks so perfect 😀 great 🙂

  48. Candace

    Fried catfish and shrimp and now meatpies! All the comforts of home without the incessant heat and humidity. Have I told you lately that I love you? Well, it’s true…..I do…and I love that you didn’t fry these! My husband is going to love that too as I am going to make him some of his beloved pies now. Just printed the recipe! My yankee loves him some meat pies. Thank YOU! Hope you have a great week!

  49. Leslie *Fresh Out of Lemons*

    Oh man, this looks good! Kind of reminds me of an English pasty, which is a recipe that I’ve been wanting to try.

  50. Joyti

    What a great idea! And the hand-held aspect is perfect…

  51. jamie

    Your meat pies look amazing. Perfect for kids and adults. I love the flavors you used.

  52. Jody Brettkelly

    Holey heck! These look gorgeous. Yum!!! It’s so funny meat pies are HUGE in New Zealand, they are everywhere and you can get them even in petrol (gas) stations. We have mince (ground beef) Indian butter chicken, steak and kidney (my fave) bacon and egg, (second fave) and steak…

  53. Aurelia

    I’m also the newest follower of your blog 🙂

  54. rose

    I like the meat pies I get on the side of the road at the gas station. yours sounds so similar to them and yet they are baked- even better. You are the best!

  55. Alwaysinthekitchen

    I can;t believe my eyes These are the best things in the world. My kids are going to love you!

  56. Aurelia

    Thank you for stopping by my blog 🙂 My first reply seems to have been eaten so I’ll post it again lol!

    These little pies look delicious! I love that they use frozen pastry too because pastry is one of my nemeses hehe. I’ll definitely be trying these out, thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂

    I’m also taking part in the Hearth & Soul hop and that’s how I found your blog.

  57. Stephanie

    loooove your blog! you are like the southern pioneer woman. I noticed you have TN Traditions as a sponsor. I went to UT with the guy who started that company. So fun! I miss TN!!

  58. Maria @ Scandifoodie

    This is something my partner would really enjoy! Cajun seasoned veggies in a pie would make a lovely vegetarian option as well 🙂

  59. Chris

    These pies look great for afternoon tea.

  60. Blond Duck

    My husband is from Louisana and meat pies are one of his favorites! Thanks for reminding me to make them. Yours are much nicer than mine! 🙂

  61. Joanne

    Well, I’ve never had a meat pie but now I wish I kind of had before I decided to turn vegetarian. I bet I could get those flavors into some kind of veg pie, though! They sound awesome!

  62. TexasMom

    Yep, right up my alley! Something we love here in our family and I am loving all your spices

  63. Kate (What Kate is Cooking)

    I totally grew up eating meat pies! My mom used to pack them for us to eat at our swim meets 🙂 SO many good memories! I need to try this in a vegetarian version 🙂

  64. Jason@JLHealth

    I haven’t had meat pies in years!! I love simple things like this and can’t wait to try it asap….

    Great post and thanks for sharing at the hearth and soul hop last week.

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