Tourtière: The Ultimate French Canadian Meat Pie Recipe

Welcome to the heartwarming world of Tourtière, a quintessential French Canadian Meat Pie. This savory, spiced, and incredibly hearty dish is more than just a meal; it’s a beloved tradition, especially during holidays and festive gatherings. With its rich filling encased in a flaky crust, this pie promises comfort in every single bite.

Originating in Quebec, Tourtière has a rich history dating back to the 1600s, often enjoyed as part of traditional réveillon meals after Christmas Eve mass. For more on the origins, check out this article on the history of Tourtière.

Why You’ll Love This French Canadian Meat Pie

• Enjoy an authentic, comforting, and deeply satisfying taste that truly warms you from the inside out.
• This recipe is simple to prepare, making it ideal for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
• Customize your pie with your preferred blend of meats and spices, perfectly suiting your family’s palate.
• It’s excellent for making ahead, allowing you to prepare and freeze for convenient meals later.
• A perfect dish for cold weather, providing a hearty and delicious meal when you need it most.

Ingredients

To make this delicious French Canadian Meat Pie, gather these ingredients:

• 250 ml chicken broth or meat broth
• 2 pre-made pie dough rounds
• 2 medium-sized potatoes
• 1 egg
• 30 ml olive oil or butter
• 400 g ground veal or beef
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 3 finely chopped garlic cloves
• 30 ml maple syrup
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 4 cloves in powder (better for blending)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/3 tsp nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Notes & Substitutions

You have flexibility with the ground meat blend; a mix of pork, veal, and beef is traditional, but you can use just one or two types.

Feel free to adjust the spice variations to suit your personal preference, adding more or less of a particular spice. If chicken broth isn’t available, beef or vegetable broth makes a fine alternative.

For convenience, store-bought pie crust works wonderfully, but a homemade crust adds an extra special touch.

Equipment

You won’t need many special tools for this recipe. Here’s what you’ll use:

• A deep-dish pie plate (30cm/12-inch round)
• A large skillet or pan
• A small pot

Instructions For The Best French Canadian Meat Pie

Creating this flavorful French Canadian Meat Pie is straightforward with these step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Prepare Onions. Heat your skillet or large pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or butter, then cook the chopped onions for about 5 minutes until they soften and become translucent.

Step 2: Cook Potatoes. Place the medium-sized potatoes in a small pot and cover them with water. Boil the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork, which usually takes about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Brown Meat. Add the ground veal or beef, chopped garlic, and all the spices (yellow mustard, powdered cloves, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper) to the pan with the cooked onions. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned.

To ensure food safety, the USDA recommends cooking ground meat mixtures like this to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). You can find more safe cooking temperatures for various meats on FoodSafety.gov.

Step 4: Simmer Filling. Once the meat is browned, drain any excess fat. Pour in the chicken or meat broth and the maple syrup. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 40 minutes, or until almost all the liquid has evaporated and the filling is thick and rich. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 5: Pre-bake Crust. While the filling simmers, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Carefully place one of your pre-made pie dough rounds into your deep-dish pie plate. Bake the bottom crust for 5 minutes. This step helps prevent a soggy bottom.

Step 6: Combine Fillings. Once the cooked potatoes are tender, drain them and cut them into small cubes. Add the cubed potatoes to the simmering meat mixture and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Allow the meat and potato filling to cool slightly before assembling the pie.

Step 7: Assemble Pie. Spoon the cooled meat and potato filling into the pre-baked bottom pie crust in the pie plate. Place the second pre-made pie dough round over the top of the filling. Press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together firmly to seal the pie. You can crimp them decoratively with a fork. Cut a small hole or make a few slits in the center of the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.

Step 8: Egg Wash. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg. Brush the beaten egg mixture evenly over the entire top crust of the pie. You can sprinkle a pinch of salt over the egg wash for extra flavor and a beautiful finish.

Step 9: Bake Pie. Place the assembled pie into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the top crust is beautifully golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let the pie rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Pro Tips

• Always cool the meat filling completely before you assemble the pie. This prevents the bottom crust from becoming soggy.
• Remember to score the top crust with a knife for steam vents. This allows moisture to escape and prevents the pie from bursting.
• Ensure the pie crust edges are sealed well to keep the delicious filling securely inside during baking.
• For a perfectly flaky, golden crust, brush generously with an egg wash before baking.

Troubleshooting

• To prevent a soggy bottom crust, pre-bake the bottom crust as instructed and ensure your filling is not overly wet and is fully cooled.
• Always taste your meat filling before assembly. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or other spices as needed for optimal flavor.
• If your filling seems too dry, add a splash more broth. If it’s too wet, simmer a bit longer to reduce the liquid further.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

Serving Suggestions

Serve your warm Tourtière hot from the oven. It pairs wonderfully with a simple side of ketchup or a tangy fruit chutney for a traditional touch. A crisp, fresh green salad offers a lovely contrast to the richness of the pie. Consider offering pickled vegetables on the side for an extra zesty kick.

Storage

Properly refrigerate any leftover French Canadian Meat Pie in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze tourtière! Wrap uncooked or baked pies tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Uncooked pies last up to 3 months, while baked pies last 4-6 months. Reheat baked pies from frozen in a 160°C (325°F) oven until warmed through.

Variations

Feel free to experiment with different meat combinations; ground turkey is a lean and tasty alternative. Create individual mini tourtières for perfect single servings, great for meal prep or parties. You can also include other finely diced root vegetables like carrots or parsnips in the filling for added texture and nutrients. For those with dietary restrictions, try a gluten-free pie crust.

Nutrition Information

Below is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving of this savory French Canadian Meat Pie.

Please note: These nutritional values are estimations and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This French Canadian Meat Pie, or Tourtière, is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting tradition that brings warmth and flavor to any table. Its savory, spiced meat filling nestled in a flaky crust makes for an unforgettable dish.

We encourage you to try this traditional recipe and experience the heartwarming appeal for yourself. It’s a truly comforting and memorable meal everyone will love.

Jake

French Canadian Meat Pie (Tourtière)

No ratings yet

This traditional French Canadian Meat Pie, known as Tourtière, is a hearty, spiced, and comforting dish perfect for holidays or cold evenings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French Canadian

Calories: 225

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 250 ml chicken broth
• 2 medium potatoes
• 30 ml olive oil
• 400 g ground veal
• 1 onion
• 3 clove garlic
• 30 ml maple syrup
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 0.25 tsp cloves
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp ginger
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.33 tsp nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg
• 2 pre-made pie dough rounds

Equipment

• Skillet or Pan Used to cook the meat and onion mixture.
• Small pot Used to boil the potatoes.
• Deep-Dish Pie Plate 12-inch recommended for holding generous filling.

Method

 

1. Heat skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil and cook chopped onions for 5 minutes until translucent.
2. Boil whole potatoes in a small pot for about 30 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and cube.
3. Add ground veal, garlic, mustard, and spices to onions. Cook until browned, breaking apart meat.
4. Drain fat, then add broth and maple syrup. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes until thickened.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Place one pie crust in a deep-dish 12-inch pie plate and pre-bake for 5 minutes.
6. Stir cubed potatoes into the cooled meat mixture. Let the filling cool before assembling the pie.
7. Spoon filling into crust. Cover with second crust, sealing and crimping edges. Cut vents in top crust.
8. Brush top crust with beaten egg. Optionally sprinkle with salt.
9. Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 15.6gProtein: 16.5gFat: 10.9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.8gMonounsaturated Fat: 6.1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 495mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 5.2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 2mg

Notes

• Beef or veal can be used; for a lighter version, ground turkey works too.

 

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Looking for more comfort recipe like this? Come hang out with me over on Facebook and Pinterest where I drop new recipes, family favorites, and quick how-to guides almost every day.