This traditional Ghanaian meat pie recipe is sure to spice up your kitchen in a very delicious way. With its savory combination of spices and minced beef encased in a flaky pastry shell, this African meat pie is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The rich flavor of this Ghanaian meat pie will transport you from your typical home-cooking to an exotic and flavorful cultural experience. After one bite, you won’t be able to think of anything else!
This Ghanaian meat pie recipe not only looks impressive when served with it's flaky golden crust, but tastes amazing as well!
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Ingredients for making Ghana Meat Pie
Read on to learn how simple it is to create this traditional Ghana meat pie recipe with our step-by-step guide!
For the Meat Pie Pastry
- Two Rolled pie crusts - let soften to room temperature so they don't break when unrolling. Cut into 4" circles.
For the Meat Pie Filling
- Vegetable Oil - neutral oil like sunflower seed, olive, or corn oil.
- Onions - diced small.
- Garlic - minced finely.
- Ground Beef
- Thyme - fresh, minced.
- Bay Leaf - whole, dry or fresh.
- Red Chile Pepper - whole or bottled (Sriracha is perfect).
- Flour - for thickening meat filling.
- Green Onions - green scallions, sliced thinly.
- Salt - to taste.
- Black pepper - to taste.
- Egg - beaten, to brush meat pies with before cooking.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Ghanaian Meat Pies
With just a few ingredients and some straightforward steps, you'll be able to enjoy this delectable combination of ground beef, herbs, onions, peppers, ginger and garlic as traditional African meat pies.
I've included both the fried method as well as the oven baked method of cooking these African meat pies.
Prepare the Ghana Meat Pie Filling
- On medium high heat, add oil to a skillet. Saute diced onions, garlic, and green onions for 2-3 minutes.
- Add round beef, thyme, bay leaves, red chile pepper sauce, salt, pepper, and flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove and cool.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare the Meat Pie Pastry
- Unroll the pie crusts on a work surface. Cut into 4" circles. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons filing in the center of each pastry circle.
- Fold each pastry circle into a half moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal them closed around the curved edge.
PRO TIP: You will find an Empanada Press a great alternative to filling and crimping these meat pies also!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Fry the Ghanaian Meat Pies
- Heat 3 cups of vegetable oil to 350 F in a skillet or electric mini deep fryer.
- While waiting for oil to heat up, brush each meat pie with beaten egg on one side. Flip and brush the opposite side. Let them sit and egg mixture soak in while the oil is heating to 350 F.
- Add 2-3 meat pies to the hot oil, cooking until golden brown on each side.
- Remove to a plate with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy.
- OVEN BAKED METHOD: After brushing with beaten egg, lay each meat pie on a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter to serve.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Ghanaian Meat Pies while hot with fresh scallions, wedges of lime, and freshly made Ghanaian Jollof Rice. Other delicious side dishes are our Tropical Fruit Salad and a slice of Ghana Sugar Bread.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
You can substitute the ground beef for Beyond Meat mince, shredded chicken, or even ground turkey. If you have a favorite pastry recipe, you can make your own meat pie pastry from scratch.
Variations
Here is a scrumptious variation you can make using this Ghanaian meat pie recipe:
- Spicy Ghana Meat Pie - Mince up a habanero chili pepper instead of the Sriracha chili sauce. Habanero chilies are quite hot, so be sure to use nitrile gloves when handling.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making these Ghanaian meat pies.
Storage
Store any leftover Ghanaian meat pies in covered plastic or glass storage containers. Keep refrigerated until ready to reheat. Reheat these meat pies by wrapping in aluminum foil and reheating in an air fryer at 200 F for 10 minutes or the oven at 250 F for 25 minutes.
Tips for Success
- Use Nitrile gloves when handling any type of hot chili peppers, as the oils will get under your finger nails and cause discomfort on any mucus membranes like lips and eyes.
- Make sure the store bought pie crust is softened to room temperature so it does not crack and break when unrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but they do freeze best when frozen before baking or frying. Make the meat pies up, lay them on a baking sheet, and freeze. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or plastic container. Freeze up to 3 months.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Ghanaian Meat Pies
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion diced finely
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 green onions sliced thinly
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon thyme fresh leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoon Sriracha or other red chili
- ½ teaspoon flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts room temperature and unrolled
- vegetable oil for frying or use the Oven Baked Method
- 1 egg bean, for brushing on meat pies
Instructions
- On medium high heat, add oil to a skillet. Saute diced onions, garlic, and green onions for 2-3 minutes.2 tablespoon Vegetable oil, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 green onions
- Add round beef, thyme, bay leaves, red chile pepper sauce, salt, pepper, and flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove and cool.1 lb ground beef, 1 teaspoon thyme, 2 bay leaves, 2 teaspoon Sriracha, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon flour
- Unroll the pie crusts on a work surface. Cut into 4" circles. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons filing in the center of each pastry circle.2 refrigerated pie crusts
- Fold each pastry circle into a half moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal them closed around the curved edge.
- Heat 3 cups of vegetable oil to 350 F in a skillet or electric mini deep fryer.vegetable oil for frying
- While waiting for oil to heat up, brush each meat pie with beaten egg on one side. Flip and brush the opposite side. Let them sit and egg mixture soak in while the oil is heating to 350 F1 egg
- Add 2-3 meat pies to the hot oil, cooking until golden brown on each side.
- Remove to a plate with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy.
- OVEN BAKED METHOD: After brushing with beaten egg, lay each meat pie on a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter to serve.
Notes
- I've included OVEN BAKED as well as FRIED cooking instructions.
- Use Nitrile gloves when handling any type of hot chili peppers, as the oils will get under your finger nails and cause discomfort on any mucus membranes like lips and eyes.
- Make sure the store bought pie crust is softened to room temperature so it does not crack and break when unrolling.
Nutrition
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