Natchitoches Meat Pies

Transport your taste buds to Louisiana with these irresistible Natchitoches Meat Pies, a beloved Southern classic bursting with flavor in every bite! These flaky, golden-brown hand pies are filled with a savory mix of seasoned ground beef and pork, aromatic vegetables like onion, bell pepper, and celery, and hints of paprika and cayenne for a Cajun-inspired kick. The homemade buttery crust is tender yet sturdy, perfectly encasing the rich filling and fried to crispy perfection. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, these iconic meat pies are a flavorful homage to Natchitoches’ rich culinary heritage. Serve them warm and enjoy this authentic taste of Louisiana!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 medium Green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 Celery stalk, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 Green onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup Beef broth
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 4 cups All-purpose flour (for dough)
• 1 tsp Salt (for dough)
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 0.75 cup Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 1.25 cups Whole milk
• 4 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and ground pork until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.

Step 2

Add the chopped yellow onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and green onions, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the meat and vegetable mixture, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 5

Pour in the beef broth and mix thoroughly. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 6

Season the filling with paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Step 7

In a large bowl, prepare the dough by whisking together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.

Step 8

Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your hands until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 9

Add the beaten egg and milk to the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms, being cautious not to overwork it.

Step 10

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 5-inch circles using a biscuit cutter or bowl.

Step 11

Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a semi-circle and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.

Step 12

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the pies in batches, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown.

Step 13

Remove the meat pies from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 14

Serve warm and enjoy this flavorful Louisiana favorite!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3126.2 grams (3126.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	13387

Total Fat 1238.60g	1588%
Saturated Fat 284.30g	1422%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.30g
Cholesterol 1114mg	371%
Sodium 6662mg	290%
Total Carbohydrate 451.30g	164%
Dietary Fiber 21.30g	76%
Total Sugars 25.10g
Protein 212.70g	425%

Vitamin D 262IU	1309%
Calcium 729mg	56%
Iron 32mg	176%
Potassium 2895mg	62%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 80.8%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 13.1%