Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie
Ingredients
- 20 g / 0.7 oz dried porcini mushrooms
slices, whole or chopped
- 1 ¼ cups / 312 ml boiled water
- 1 kg / 2 lb chuck beef
cut into 2.5cm/1” cubes, Note 2
- 1 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves
minced
- 1 onion
finely chopped
- 1 celery
finely chopped
- 1 carrot
finely chopped
- 3 carrots
halved lengthwise then cut into 1.5cm/ 3/5” chunks
- 1/3 cup flour
any
- 300 ml / 10 oz dark ale
or substitute with red wine, Guinness or more beef stock
- 2 cups / 500 ml beef stock
- 3 sprigs thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
fresh or dried
- 200 g / 7 oz bacon
diced
- 300 - 400g / 10 – 13 oz Swiss brown mushrooms
larger ones halved
- 1 – 2 sheets puff pastry
enough to cover pie
- 1 egg yolk
Directions
- 1
- 2
Place porcini in a bowl and add hot water. Leave to soak for at least 30 minutes. Strain mushrooms and reserve soaking liquid. Roughly chop porcini.
- 3
Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper.
- 4
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large heavy based pot. Add half the beef and brown all over, then remove and repeat with remaining beef. Set beef aside.
- 5
Turn stove down to medium low. If the pot is looking dry, add more oil. Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add finely chopped carrots and celery, cook for 6 minutes or until softened and sweet (taste test!). Add carrot chunks and cook for 2 minutes.
- 6
Add flour and stir through.
- 7
Add ale, beef stock, and stir to dissolve the flour.
- 8
Add thyme, bay leaves, porcini, reserved porcini soaking liquid (don’t tip in gritty bits settled at bottom) and cooked beef. Turn heat up slightly, mix, bring to simmer, then cover. Adjust heat so it is simmering gently, not energetically.
- 9
Cook for 1 hr 45 minutes or until beef is tender. (See video)
- 10
Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet over high heat until golden. Remove and reserve bacon drippings in pan. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until golden all over. Return bacon into skillet, toss to coat mushrooms, then stir through stew.
- 11
Simmer stew, uncovered, for 15 minutes until mushrooms are tender. Then remove from stove and cool.
- 12
To cook:
- 13
Preheat oven to 200C/390F.
- 14
Pour stew into a pie dish, even out surface. Pictured pie dish is 24 x 20 x 4.5 cm / 10 x 8 x 1.8" (1.5L / 1.5 Qt) - see Notes for more conversions.
- 15
Top with puff pastry (if too big, just fold the ends in), brush with egg yolk. Cut a few slits in the surface then bake for 30 – 35 minutes until deep golden and the filling is piping hot in the middle (stick a knife in to check).
- 16
Rest for 5 minutes before serving!
Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie
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About this Recipe
Ready for a comforting, show-stopping meal that feels like a labor of love but is surprisingly achievable? This Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie delivers on its promise of tender, fall-apart beef nestled in the most incredible gravy you've ever tasted, perfect for any cozy evening.
Why This Recipe Works
The true magic here lies in the dried porcini mushrooms. These unsung heroes infuse the rich gravy with a profound, savory earthiness that simply can't be replicated with fresh mushrooms alone. This key ingredient transforms an already delicious beef pie into something truly epic, coupled with melt-in-your-mouth chunks of beef, making every bite a testament to deep, developed flavor.
What to Expect
Imagine cutting into a golden, flaky puff pastry crust to reveal a thick, glossy gravy brimming with succulent pieces of beef and tender Swiss brown mushrooms. You'll find a delightful balance of savory richness, thanks to the dark ale and robust beef stock, perfectly complemented by the subtle sweetness of carrots and the earthy depth from the porcini. This pie offers a truly satisfying meal experience, promising comfort and robust flavor in every spoonful.
Customization & Variations
This pie is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. If dark ale isn't to your taste or available, you can confidently substitute it with red wine, Guinness, or even extra beef stock for a rich, flavorful result. The recipe also utilizes two distinct cuts of carrots—one finely chopped for the base and larger chunks for texture—each playing a crucial role in the pie's hearty character.
Serving & Context
This Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie is the ultimate centerpiece for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends. Serve it simply, letting its robust flavors shine, perhaps alongside a light green salad to cut through the richness, creating a truly memorable meal.