Corned beef may have lost its popularity since the 19th Century and World War two. But in some pockets of the UK, particularly South Wales, and old working-class communities, it is still a beloved favourite that usually reminds us of a parent or grandparent.
So I’m excited to share this corned beef pie recipe with you.
In fact, our love of corned beef goes so far in South Wales, that the major bakery chain (Greggs) even sells corned beef pasties, but you won’t find this on their website, or in stores past Bristol.
I’m not sure as to whether they also serve them up North, but certainly, in the South, it’s a Welsh thing.
The vast majority of bakeries in South Wales serve delicious corned beef pasties for a lunchtime treat, if you visit Swansea Market the bakeries make dozens and dozens of corned beef pasties, far outweighing other flavours to satisfy our taste for them.
As a Swansea girl myself, I remember the shock and horror of moving to Cornwall, that the fabulous bakery Barnecutt’s (or any other for that matter) did not serve a single corned beef pasty!
They also didn’t have rissoles either!
Now classically rissoles are a French croquette, usually made of fish but often minced meat too.
But if you order a rissole in Wales (usually from a chip shop), you will be served a breaded, or sometimes a battered ball of mashed corned beef, potatoes and herbs.
This bully beef pie recipe is an excellent low-cost winter warmer meal.
Okay so you've made this wartime corned beef pie recipe, but what are you going to eat with it? Serving suggestions vary greatly. However, I personally like mine on it’s own, served hot. But you can eat it cold.
Other serving suggestions include:
Haha, I bet they weren't impressed at Barnecutt's when you asked for a corned beef pasty. I don't remember my grandmother ever making this, but it's the sort of thing she might have done. Your pastry looks lovely.
None of my grandparents have ever made this (To my knowledge), and it sounds like a delicious idea! I love corned beef as it is, and to make a pie out of it would be a dream come true. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I have this pie in the oven right now and I can't wait.
Corned beef is very popular in the North East too, with Greggs selling corned beef pasties and our chippies serving what we called corned beef patties (rissoles). Hash and Panacalty are also tasty local gems.
Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for commenting!! That's so good to hear! I need to visit North West! Let me know how you get on! Hope you enjoyed it! X
Hi Nichola, Thanks so much for your comment! I am yet to visit the North East but this sounds good! And at least I know I'll be able to get hold of my beloved corned beef pasties! Do let me know how you get on! I hope you enjoyed! 🙂
Wow ... I am a Swansea 'girl' too!, Living in The Midlands now ... but on Moday, this time I will be in Swansea Market sampling their wares .... pasties ... cockles ... mmmm . Thank you for a delic recipe . I haven't liked the recipes I have tried before for this one and my sister (who still lives in Swansea) makes one with tomato sauce in it !!!!! Sacrilege in my opinion. ... so I am very glad I have just found you and this recipe! Have just joined your 'club'!! Thank you very much. I look forward to reading your blog and other recipes.
ps. I meant to say that this is the nearest to a Swansea Market or even Davies corned beef pie !!! mmmm
Hi.Thanks for the recipe is it alright to use dried herbs or do I need fresh.
This looks really tasty and great for winter.
This sounds so delcious. can't beat these type of recipes and meals this time of year. Thanks.
simon
My Mum always used to make a corned beef plate pie with shortcrust pastry, softened onions, corned beef and some tomato ketchup on one half and HP brown sauce on the other as my Dad and I didn't like tomato ketchup and Mum and my sister didn't like brown sauce.
I occasionally make a corned beef pie but I spread a jar of sun-dried tomato paste over the bottom pastry layer before topping with softened onions and garlic and a tin of reduced salt corned beef cut into slices and a top layer of pastry. Delicious!
