Forfar Bridies (Recipe) (2024)

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A Forfar bridie is a popular Scottish creation that isn’t quite as famous as Cornish pasties, but if you ask me, they win the prize for the tastier of the two!

Forfar Bridies (Recipe) (1)

Have you ever heard of a bridie? Unless you’re from Scotland, or possibly the UK, I’d place a bet that you haven’t, and that’s such a shame! Let’s change that, shall we?

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What is a Bridie? (or a Forfar Bridie?)

A Scottish Forfar bridie is a meat and onion filled pastry that is popular in Scotland. The traditional and authentic Forfar version uses shortcrust pastry, however, bridies are often made with flaky pastry in Scotland. In the US and Canada, it would be referred to as a handheld meat pie.

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Forfar bridies are perfect packable food to go, too.

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Forfar Bridie Recipe

Adapted from Rampant Scotland and Traditional Scottish Cookery Cookbook Serves 6

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Forfar Bridies (Recipe) (9)

Ingredients

Note: shortcrust pastry is the authentic option.

Oven temperature to start: 450˚F (230˚C)

Step by Step Directions for Bridie Recipe

Put all of the ingredients, except for the pastry, into a large bowl and mix well, preferably with your hands.

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Divide the pastry and meat mixture into six equal portions. Roll or cut (if using puff pastry) each piece of pastry into an oval or circle about six inches in diameter, and about quarter of an inch thick.

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Place some of the bridie mixture in the middle of the pastry.

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Wet the edge of the pastry with water, then fold over to seal.

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Seal the edge of the pastry with a fork.

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Place the finished bridies onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone sheet or piece of parchment paper. Cut a small slit or two in the top then brush with an egg white wash (slightly beat an egg white with half a teaspoon of water.)

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Bake in a pre-heated oven at 450˚F (230˚C) for 10 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350˚F (180˚C) and cook for another 35 to 40 minutes until they are golden brown. If they start to get too brown, cover with aluminum foil. Remove from the oven and if not eating them right away, place on a metal cooling rack.

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Serve hot, with a generous amount of HP Sauce! and chips (as in chunky fries) and Heinz beans. Thanks to Rona B. from Forfar who told me that they’re traditionally served with chips (and not mashed potatoes) and beans. She also went out of her way to ask NINE other friends how they eat theirs and they all concurred. So there you have it: straight from Forfar! Thanks again, Rona! 😊

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How about some Dundee cake with a cup of tea, now?

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Forfar Bridie Recipe

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Traditional Scottish handheld meat pies from Forfar, Scotland.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb mince or chopped lean, organic beef, cut into 1/2" pieces (1 cm)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 oz butter (about 2 Tbsp) cut into small pieces, or shredded suet
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
  • 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp beef stock (I use water and Oxo beef cube)
  • 1 lb flaky pastry or puff pastry (I used Trader Joe's puff pastry for the bridies in the photos) Note: shortcrust pastry is the authentic option. (link to shortcrust pastry in the instructions)

Instructions

Oven Temperature: 450˚F (230˚C)

SHORTCRUST PASTRY RECIPE

  1. Put all of the ingredients, except for the pastry, into a large bowl and mix well, preferably with your hands.
  2. Divide the pastry and meat mixture into six equal portions. Roll or cut (if using puff pastry) each piece of pastry into an oval or circle about six inches in diameter, and about quarter of an inch thick.
  3. Place some of the bridie mixture in the middle of the pastry.
  4. Wet the edge of the pastry with water, then fold over to seal.
  5. Seal the edge of the pastry with a fork.
  6. Place the finished bridies onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone sheet or piece of parchment paper. Cut a small slit or two in the top then brush with an egg white wash (slightly beat an egg white with half a teaspoon of water.)
  7. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 450˚F (230˚C) for 10 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350˚F (180˚C) and cook for another 35 to 40 minutes until they are golden brown. If they start to get too brown, cover with aluminum foil. Remove from the oven and if not eating them right away, place on a metal cooling rack.
  8. Serve hot, with a generous amount of HP Sauce! You can make it a full meal by adding hot, fluffy mashed potatoes and a green vegetable, like peas, (or Heinz beans.)

Notes

Note: shortcrust pastry is the authentic option. Also, omit the mustard powder and beef stock for a more authentic recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 710Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 1030mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 3gSugar: 16gProtein: 32g

Nutrition information is only an estimate.

Did you make this recipe?

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More savory Scottish recipes ~

Haggis, Neeps and Tattie Pie

Steak Pie

Scottish Red Lentil Soup

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Forfar Bridies (Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What's inside a bridie? ›

The filling must contain only the following ingredients: Scotch beef PGI, suet or beef fat, salt and pepper, rusk or breadcrumbs, flour and water. The use of onions is optional. No other flavourings or additives may be used. The ingredients are raw when the pasty is assembled and freshly prepared.

What's the difference between a pasty and a bridie? ›

While Cornish pasties are made with shortcrust pastry, most bridies are made with flaky pastry. Though bridies in Forfar are also made with shortcrust pastry, they tend to be a little softer. Unlike pasties, bridies do not contain potatoes - they are filled with minced steak, beef suet, and sometimes onions.

Why is a bridie called a bridie? ›

Bridies are said "to have been 'invented' by a Forfar baker in the 1850s". The name may refer to the pie's frequent presence on wedding menus, or to Margaret Bridie of Glamis, "who sold them at the Buttermarket in Forfar".

How do you reheat bridie in the oven? ›

Preheat oven to 180°C or gas Mark 4 (adjust accordingly for fan assisted ovens). Place on oven tray. Reheat for approximately 20-25 minutes. Always ensure food is piping hot before serving.

What meat is in a Forfar Bridie? ›

A Forfar Bridie is a horseshoe-shaped meat product. It has a shortcrust cover and the filling consists of beef, onions and seasoning. The Famous Forfar Bridie. They originated in the early part of the 19th century.

Where did Bridies originate? ›

What is a Bridie in Scotland? ›

A Scottish Bridie is simple hand-held meat pie made in a horseshoe shape. It usually contains beef, and sometimes onion, and a few various seasonings.

What are pasties called in Scotland? ›

A traditional family recipe of Ground Beef, mixture of mild seasoning, with some finely diced onions folded into a flaky puff pastry. Also known as a Pasty throughout the UK, Bridies (pronounced Bri-Dee) were first developed in Forfar in the late 1800's.

What is the Scottish word for pasty? ›

Pasties resemble turnovers from many other cuisines and cultures, including the bridie in Scotland, empanada in Spanish-speaking countries, pirog in Eastern Europe, samsa in Central Asia, and the curry puff in Southeast Asia.

What is a Scottish pie called? ›

It may also be known as a shell pie to differentiate it from other varieties of savoury pie, such as the steak pie, steak and kidney pie, steak-and-tattie (potato) pie, and so forth. Scotch pie. A cooked, intact Scotch pie. Alternative names. Mutton pie, shell pie, mince pie, football pie.

How many calories are in a Bridie? ›

Mince & Onion Bridie
Per 100gPer Portion
Energy (kj)1632 kJ2823 kJ
Energy (kcal)390 kcal674.8 kcal
Fat (g)24.4 g42.2 g
Saturates (g)12.5 g21.5 g
4 more rows

Why is it called a Scotch pie? ›

A real Scottish favourite, the Scotch pie has been made in Scotland for at least the last four or five hundred years. The first filling was spiced mutton and sometimes you'll still find Scotch Pies called a Mutton pie, although now minced lamb or beef is more commonly used.

Can you cook a bridie from frozen? ›

Cooking Instructions: Preheat Oven to 350 degrees, remove wrapper and tray, place uncooked bridies on a cookie sheet and cook in oven for 15-20 minutes if frozen, 10 to 15 minutes if thawed.

Can you reheat food twice? ›

If food has been hygienically prepared, cooled quickly after cooking (or reheating) and stored cold, reheating more than once should not increase the risk of illness. However, prolonged storage and repeated reheating will affect the taste, texture, and sometimes the nutritional quality of foods.

How do you reheat fried food without it getting soggy? ›

Preventing steam-induced sogginess: For parties or picnics, let your fried foods cool in a single layer to prevent steam from compromising their crispness. Reheating without sacrificing texture: When reheating already crispy food, avoid the microwave. Instead, set your oven to 400 degrees and heat for 5 to 10 minutes.

What is Bridies? ›

Bridies are a traditional Scottish hand pie from Forfar. Very similar to a pasty, Bridies are usually made with pie crust and filled with a mix of ground beef, onion, and seasoning.

What does a Bridie look like? ›

A Scottish Bridie is simple hand-held meat pie made in a horseshoe shape. It usually contains beef, and sometimes onion, and a few various seasonings.

Can you eat Bridies cold? ›

SUITABLE FOR EATEN HOT OR COLD.

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