Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 pounds boneless chuck (stew beef), cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking Fat and Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick), divided
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Thickening and Flavoring
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups beef stock
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Pastry and Finishing
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed at room temperature
Instructions
- Season the beef: Generously season the steak pieces all over with 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt to ensure the meat is well-flavored before cooking.
- Brown the steak: Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the steak in batches so as not to crowd the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the browned steak to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the onions and garlic: Reduce the heat to medium, add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pot and let it melt. Add the thinly sliced onions, cover, and cook while stirring occasionally until the onions are very tender and caramelized, about 12 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Create the gravy base: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir to combine well, cooking briefly to remove raw flour taste. Gradually add the beef stock while stirring. Then mix in the tomato paste, fresh thyme leaves, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the beef in gravy: Return the browned steak and any collected juices to the pot. Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until the sauce thickens and the beef becomes tender, approximately 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven: While the beef simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
- Assemble the pie: Transfer the beef and gravy mixture into a deep pie pan or a 2-quart baking dish. Brush the rim of the dish with a thin layer of the beaten egg to help the puff pastry adhere. Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet and place it over the filling, making sure it covers completely. Press the pastry edges firmly against the dish rim and trim any excess pastry. Using a sharp knife, cut several small slits in the pastry top to allow steam to escape. Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with the beaten egg for a beautiful golden finish.
- Bake the pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and cooked through. If the pastry browns too quickly during baking, loosely cover it with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Rest before serving: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps the filling set and makes serving easier and cleaner.
Notes
- For best results, use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the pan when browning the beef to ensure good caramelization.
- Allow the pie to rest after baking to avoid the filling spilling out when serving.
- Puff pastry can be substituted with shortcrust pastry for a different texture, but baking times may vary.
- Leftover pie can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to one month.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: British