Hearty Steak and Kidney Pie Recipe: Cozy British Comfort Food

Hearty British steak and kidney pie brings comfort right to your dining table with its rich, savory flavors.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish across the United Kingdom.

Tender beef chunks and delicate lamb kidneys meld together under a golden, flaky pastry crust.

Warm spices and robust gravy create a deeply satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Meat lovers appreciate the traditional techniques passed down through cookbooks and family kitchens.

Slow cooking transforms tough cuts into meltingly soft, deeply flavored morsels.

You’ll want to roll up your sleeves and dive into this quintessential British comfort food that promises to delight every single bite.

How To Keep James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie Fresh

• Store leftover pie in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring no air can penetrate the packaging.
• Preheat oven to 180°C, place pie on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through completely.
• For quick reheating, cut a slice and microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stopping halfway to stir and ensure even heating.

James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie FAQs

• What are kidneys and why use them in this pie?

Kidneys from sheep or beef add rich, intense flavor to the pie. They provide a unique, slightly metallic taste that complements the meat and creates a traditional British savory dish.

• How do I remove the strong flavor from kidneys?

Soak kidneys in cold salted water or milk for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps reduce the strong, gamey taste and makes them more palatable for those new to offal.

• Can I substitute the kidneys if I don't like them?

You can replace kidneys with mushrooms or additional beef for a similar texture. The mushrooms will provide an earthy flavor that mimics the original recipe while keeping the pie’s traditional essence.

Why James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie Feels So Hearty

• Savor Hearty Comfort: A classic British dish that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia, perfect for satisfying deep hunger pangs.
• Master Rustic Cooking: Simple ingredients transform into a rich, complex meal that looks impressive but requires basic kitchen skills.
• Quick Family Pleaser: Delivers a complete protein-packed meal in a single dish, making dinner preparation straightforward and delicious.
• Versatile Seasonal Treat: Adapts beautifully to cold weather gatherings, weekend family dinners, or potluck celebrations with its robust flavors.

What You’ll Need For James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie

• Beef Steak: A tender cut that provides rich, meaty flavor and substantial texture to the pie.
• Kidney: Adds a distinctive, robust taste and traditional British character to the dish.

• Onions, Potatoes: Provide depth of flavor and hearty substance to the pie filling.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the meat.
• Flour, Water: Used to create a smooth, thick gravy that binds the pie filling together.

• Pastry Dough: Creates a golden, flaky crust that encases and complements the savory meat filling.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps with browning the meat and creating a flavorful base.

Step-By-Step For James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie

Step 1: Prepare Meat Ingredients

Grab beef kidney and steak. Slice both ingredients carefully into bite-sized cubes. Remove any tough membranes or excess fat from kidney to ensure smooth texture and clean flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Meat

Heat butter in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Gently place meat cubes into hot pan. Brown meat pieces until golden edges develop, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This process helps seal in rich, deep flavors.

Step 3: Create Savory Base

• Chopped onions
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried thyme

Pour water into the pan, covering meat partially. Reduce heat and let mixture simmer gently, allowing meat to become tender and flavors to meld together. Cook for approximately one hour.

Step 4: Incorporate Root Vegetables

Mix diced potatoes into the simmering meat mixture. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes until potatoes soften and absorb surrounding flavors.

Step 5: Thicken Pie Filling

Whisk flour with small amount of water to create smooth paste. Slowly stir into meat mixture, which will naturally thicken sauce and create rich, velvety consistency.

Step 6: Prepare Pie Crust

Transfer meat filling into deep baking dish. Cover with prepared pastry dough, crimping edges to seal. Cut several small slits on top to allow steam escape.

Step 7: Bake Golden Pie

Place pie in preheated oven at 425°F. Bake until pastry turns golden brown and filling bubbles around edges, approximately 30-35 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Top Tips For James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie

• Prep Kidneys Carefully: Remove white core and membrane for milder, tender texture and to reduce strong gamey flavor.
• Control Meat Tenderness: Cut steak and kidney into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the pie.
• Master Pastry Technique: Brush pastry edges with egg wash for golden, glossy finish and better seal between crust and filling.
• Balance Flavor Profile: Add small amount of Worcestershire sauce or red wine to enhance meat's richness and depth of taste.
• Manage Moisture Levels: Let filling cool slightly before adding pastry to prevent soggy bottom and ensure crisp, flaky crust.

Tasty Variations For James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie

• Vegetarian Kidney Pie: Replace steak and kidneys with hearty mushrooms like portobello or shiitake, providing rich umami flavor and meaty texture.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free flour for thickening and swap traditional pastry with almond flour or gluten-free pie crust.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower chunks and use a cauliflower-based crust for a keto-friendly option.
• Lamb Kidney Variation: Switch beef steak for tender lamb meat, creating a classic British countryside flavor profile with deeper, richer taste.

Side Ideas For James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the steak and kidney pie, cutting through its hearty texture.
• Create Tangy Side Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with sharp vinaigrette dressing to balance the pie's richness, adding a refreshing contrast with arugula, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
• Serve with Roasted Root Vegetables: Roast parsnips, carrots, and turnips with herbs like thyme and rosemary to enhance the traditional British pie's earthy, rustic profile and provide additional nutritional depth.
• Match with Dark Beer: Choose a full-bodied stout or porter to mirror the pie's intense meat flavors, with its malty undertones creating a perfect savory harmony on the palate.

Steak And Kidney Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 mins
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Steak and Kidney Pie brings British comfort cuisine to your table with rich, savory flavors that celebrate traditional culinary craft. Tender meat and robust gravy nestled in flaky pastry invite you to savor a classic meal steeped in heritage and warmth.

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Ingredients

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Meat Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) round steak, cubed
• 1 pound (454 grams) lamb kidneys

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 cups (600 grams) diced potatoes

Seasoning and Baking Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 12 teaspoon dried thyme
• 14 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter or lard
• 6 tablespoons plain flour
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) water
• 1 sheet shortcrust pastry

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Instructions

1. Remove membranes and chop kidneys into uniform cubes, then slice steak into similar-sized pieces.
2. Heat butter in heavy skillet and sear meat until deeply caramelized and rich brown, creating complex flavor layers.
3. Incorporate finely chopped onions, introducing aromatic depth and gentle seasoning of salt and pepper to the meat mixture.
4. Pour water into the skillet, reducing heat to low and allowing ingredients to slowly meld together, creating a tender meat base for approximately 60 minutes.
5. Introduce diced potatoes into the simmering mixture, continuing gentle cooking for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables soften and meat becomes exceptionally tender.
6. Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking flour with water, then gradually blend into the meat sauce to enhance texture and consistency.
7. Carefully transfer the rich, savory filling into a deep baking dish, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
8. Drape pastry carefully over the filling, crimping edges meticulously to create a perfect seal and decorative border.
9. Delicately score several small vents across the pastry surface to allow steam escape during baking.
10. Position in preheated oven at 220°C and bake for 30 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and filling bubbles enthusiastically.

Notes

• Remove all white membrane from kidneys to prevent bitter taste and tough texture.
• Soak kidneys in milk for 30 minutes before cooking to mellow their strong flavor and tenderize meat.
• Choose a robust red wine or beef stock instead of water for deeper, richer flavor profile during simmering.
• Use cold butter and minimal handling when making pastry to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t become tough.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 630 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg