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 (See notes)

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

  • Shortcrust pastry is the authentic option. Also, omit the mustard powder and beef stock for a more authentic recipe. (Link to shortcrust pastry in the instructions)
  • I used Trader Joe's puff pastry for the bridies in the photos.
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?

Please leave a review by clicking on the 5 stars above, in the purple header (a form will appear) or tag me on Instagram! 😍

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? ›

The name “Bridie” has two possible origins. One is that the name comes from Maggie Bridie of Glamis who sold them at Buttermarket and the other is that the horseshoe shape made them lucky to serve at weddings and took the name from the bride.

What is a Scottish pasty called? ›

A bridie or Forfar bridie is a Scottish meat pasty that originates from Forfar, Scotland. Bridie. A bridie.

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? ›

Image of Where did Bridies originate?
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjacent islands, principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles.
Wikipedia

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 the 5 types of pasty? ›

There are five main types of pastry dough for creating pastries: flaky, shortcrust, puff, choux and filo. All of them are made primarily from flour, water and fat. However, these five types of pastry dough each have slightly different core ingredients, different ratios of ingredients and, ultimately, different uses.

What is a Bridie Scottish slang? ›

Bridie, the name given to the delightful pies still known everywhere as Forfar Bridies.

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? ›

Mutton has throughout history been very accessible and cheap, so with a good mix of spices this dish seemed very popular. Although there is no written evidence, it is considered that Scotch Pie originated from Scotland and has existed for over 500 years.

Why can't you say Cornish pasty? ›

Since 2011, the Cornish Pasty has enjoyed protected status under Protected Food Names legislation; so only a pasty made to a specific recipe in Cornwall can be called a “Cornish Pasty”.

What is the end of a pasty called? ›

The crust (crimp) served as a 'handle' – a means of holding the pasty with dirty hands without contaminating the meal. Arsenic commonly accompanies tin within the ore that they were mining so, to avoid arsenic poisoning, the crimp was an essential part of the pasty.

Is the Cornish pasty illegal? ›

Cornish pasties have won official recognition protection under the EU protected food names scheme, Food Minister Jim Paice announced today. After 200 years of being handed down from generation to generation, often by word of mouth, the recipe for Cornish pasties will be officially protected across Europe.

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.

How do you heat up a Bridie? ›

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.

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