This Ghanaian Meat Pies recipe is filled with savory minced beef and spices, for flaky crust hand meat pies with a hearty filling. These African meat pies capture the essence of traditional Ghanaian cuisine, and are often served with Homemade Chifles or Fried Sweet Plantains, and Ghanaian Jollof Rice.
Why You'll Love This Ghanaian Meat Pie 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!
- Authentic flavors: This recipe delivers the real deal, packed with a blend of spices, balanced with the richness of beef and fresh vegetables.
- Easy to make: Don't let fear of pastry-making hold you back! Clear instructions and helpful tips make this recipe easy, even for beginner cooks.
- Versatile: Enjoy these pies as a quick snack, a satisfying lunch, or a delightful party appetizer. They're the perfect way to share a taste of Ghana's vibrancy with friends and family.
Ingredients Overview
Read on to learn how simple it is to create this traditional Ghana meat pie recipe with our step-by-step guide! You can use any store bought pie crust, or your favorite pastry recipe.
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.
Step 1: On medium high heat, add oil to a skillet. Saute diced onions, garlic, ginger, and green onions for 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Add round beef, thyme, bay leaves, red chile pepper sauce, salt, pepper, and flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove and cool.
PRO TIP: You will find an Empanada Press a great alternative to filling and crimping these meat pies also!
Pro Tip
For easier removal, fit the loaf pan with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) with some overhang on the long sides of the pan. You can easily lift the cooled cake out with the overhang!
Step 3: Unroll the pie dough on a work surface. Cut dough into 4" circles. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons filing in the center of each dough circle.
Step 4: Fold each pastry circle into a half moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal them closed around the curved edge.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: Add 2-3 meat pies to the hot oil, cooking until golden brown on each side.
Step 7: 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.
Serving Suggestions
These golden, flaky pastries are an explosion of flavors - that's the essence of a Ghanaian meat pies. They're not just a snack; but a taste of West African culture, bursting with aromas and textures.
Serve these Ghanaian Meat Pies while hot with fresh scallions, wedges of lime, and freshly made Ghanaian Jollof Rice.
Substitutions and Variations
Some useful tips and substitutions when making this recipe:
- 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.
- 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.
Tips for Success
Helpful tips to help you when making this recipe:
- 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.
Storage Options
Here is how I store leftovers when making this recipe:
- 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.
Related Recipes
- Jollof Rice Ghanaian
- Crisco Pie Crust
- No Bake Key Lime Pie
- Angus Barn Chocolate Chess Pie
- Savory Puff Pastry Tarts
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.
More Delish Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Ghanaian Meat Pies
Equipment
- Mini Deep Fryer
- Nitrile Gloves
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.
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