Forfar Bridies (Scottish Hand Pies)

Forfar Bridies are a beloved Scottish snack—savory, handheld pies filled with ground beef, onions, and mustard, all wrapped in a flaky pastry. They’re perfect for a hearty meal, snack, or picnic treat. Traditionally made with shortcrust pastry, this recipe uses puff pastry for a lighter, flakier bite, but you can also use empanada discs for convenience. These tasty treats are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons beef or vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• 1 (16 oz) package puff pastry (or 1 (14 oz) package empanada baking discs, thawed)
• 1 egg white

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 440°F (225°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and stock. Mix thoroughly.
3. Fold in the cold cubes of butter until evenly distributed.
4. If using puff pastry, roll out the dough and cut it into 6–8 equal circles about 6 inches across. If using empanada discs, no cutting is needed.
5. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture onto one half of each pastry circle. Wet the edges of the dough and fold the other half over the filling to form a semi-circle. Press the edges together with a fork to seal.
6. Brush the tops of the bridies with beaten egg white and make a couple of small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape.
7. Bake for 32–35 minutes, or until golden brown. Cover with foil about halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
8. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 300 kcal per bridie | Servings: 6–8

Tips

• If you prefer a more traditional shortcrust, feel free to substitute puff pastry for shortcrust pastry.
• For an extra boost of flavor, add a bit of Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture.
• You can freeze the unbaked bridies for later use—just bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

FAQ

Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, you can substitute ground lamb, pork, or even chicken if preferred.

Can I make these in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the bridies ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them. Just bake when ready to serve.

Can I add other vegetables to the filling?
Definitely! You can add chopped mushrooms, carrots, or peas for more flavor and texture in the filling.