How to Cook Meat Pie from Frozen (Baked and Unbaked)
Meat pie is a delicious comfort food classic. But when you don’t have time to make it from scratch, frozen meat pies can be a lifesaver! All you need to do is pop them in the oven, and dinner is ready! So let’s get cooking!
Cooking a pre-cooked frozen meat pie is much simpler than cooking an unbaked one.
Precooked pies are already cooked and need to be heated up, while unbaked pies require additional baking before they can be served.
Precooked (Baked) Meat Pie
When heating a pre-cooked frozen meat pie, you need to thaw it before baking to ensure that it cooks evenly.
It’s best to preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place the pie on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 90 minutes or until golden brown.
For best results, you can brush the top of the pie with butter or oil before baking.
Baked Meat Pie
On the other hand, when cooking an unbaked frozen meat pie, it’s important to remember to preheat your oven first.
Whether or not the pie has been defrosted, bake times will vary from 25-35 minutes at 180°C for a frozen pie or 20-30 minutes at 180°C for a defrosted one.
You may also want to brush the top of the unbaked frozen pie with butter or oil before baking.
Cooking meat pie in the oven. Credit: canva
Cooking Meat Pie from Frozen (Baked)
Step 1: Prepare Your Meat Pie
The first step is to take your frozen meat pie out of the package.
Thaw overnight.
Some pies may require a higher temperature, so check the instructions on the package for specific directions.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). This will ensure that your meat pie is cooked through and has a nice golden crust.
Ensure you keep an eye on the temperature, as it should not exceed 400°F (204°C). This will help you avoid burning the crust or overcooking the filling.
Step 3: Cook Your Meat Pie
Once your oven is preheated, place your frozen meat pie onto an ungreased baking sheet and put it in the oven.
Again, follow the instructions on the package for any additional steps, such as brushing with egg wash or oil.
If you’re looking for an extra crispy crust, brush some melted butter or oil before cooking.
If you’re cooking more than one pie at once, space them on the baking sheet so they can cook evenly and not stick together.
Baking times will vary based on how many pies you cook and their size. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should bake them for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 4: Enjoy!
When your timer goes off, you know it’s time to enjoy your delicious meal!
Carefully remove the meat pie from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Frozen Meat Pie
Frozen pie. Credit: canva
Frozen meat pies are a popular food item in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world.
They are typically hand-sized pies filled with diced or minced meat and gravy, sometimes with onions, mushrooms, or cheese added. The pies can be made from beef, mutton, sirloin chucks, or other meats.
Frozen meat pies can be found in service stations, bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants. They can also be purchased frozen to cook at home.
Nutrition facts vary depending on the type of meat used and the ingredients added to the pie. Generally speaking, they are high in fat and calories but provide a good source of protein.
In addition to being eaten as a snack or meal, frozen meat pies can also be used as an ingredient in other dishes, such as pot pies or casseroles.
How to make frozen baked meat pies
A slice of meat pie. Credit: canva
Tips
How to Serve
You can also top them with cheese or herbs for extra flavor if desired.
Serve with a side salad or vegetables of your choice, and enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
When it’s time to eat, thaw the pies overnight before reheating them.
To reheat, pop them in the microwave or oven until they’re heated.
Make sure your oven is preheated before putting the frozen meat pie in. This will help ensure that it cooks evenly and doesn’t burn.
Credit: canva
FAQs
Can you bake a frozen pie without thawing?
Yes, you can bake a frozen pie without thawing it first!
Baking a frozen pie is easy – preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and place the pie on a cookie sheet.
For an unbaked pie, no thawing is needed – pop it in the oven and bake.
To reheat a frozen baked pie, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat (bake) in a 350°F oven until heated.
Freezing pies before wrapping them helps preserve their freshness and flavor for months.
You’ll need to preheat your oven to 425°F and place the unthawed and unwrapped pie in the oven.
Bake for 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to 375°F and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
To ensure that your pie is cooked through, you can check the internal temperature of the pie with a thermometer. If it’s at least 165°F, your pie is ready!
How do you defrost a meat pie quickly?
Defrosting a meat pie quickly can be done in three ways: thawing under refrigeration, thawing under running cold water, or thawing in the microwave.
Thawing under refrigeration is the best option and may take overnight, depending on what you are thawing.
Thawing under running cold water is the next best option and should take no more than 30 minutes.
Lastly, you can also use the microwave to defrost your meat pie, which is not recommended as it can cause uneven heating.
