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

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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? ›

Forfar Bridies and Cornish Pasties are both meat pies and are generally hand-held. The difference between a Forfar Bridie and a Cornish Pasty is that the Pasty, originally from Cornwall, England, has vegetables in it.

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 is the history of the Forfar bridie? ›

The Famous Forfar Bridie. They originated in the early part of the 19th century. One story of their origin is that they were made for wedding meals (the Brides' meal) hence the horseshoe shape (for luck). Another story is that they were made by Margaret Bridie from Glamis, who sold them at the Buttermarket in Forfar.

What is a Bridie in Scotland? ›

A bridie or Forfar bridie is a Scottish type of meat pastry or pie, originally from the town of Forfar, reminiscent of a Cornish pasty, but made without potato!

What is a Scottish pasty called? ›

Also known as a Pasty throughout the UK, Bridies (pronounced Bri-Dee) were first developed in Forfar in the late 1800's.

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

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

How do you cook frozen Bridies? ›

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.

What is a bridie food? ›

BRIDIE. The Dictionary of the Scots Language (DSL) gives the. following definition: “A kind of pie. Originally made in.

Can you heat brie twice? ›

can you reheat baked Brie? Yes, you can reheat it in the microwave, start with 30 seconds and go from there. You can also re-warm it in a low 300F oven until soft again. Don't do this more than once, however, or the cheese can get rubbery.

How do you make fried food crispy again? ›

Using An Oven

Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and put the chicken on the rack in a single layer. Once the oven is preheated, bake the fried chicken for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the skin turns crispy again.

Can I reheat baked brie? ›

How to store and reheat leftovers. Brie will harden as it cools. Once it returns to room temperature, transfer the cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate for a day or two. To reheat brie: Place it in an oven-safe dish and pop it in a 350°F oven until it is gooey again.

What is a Bridie food? ›

BRIDIE. The Dictionary of the Scots Language (DSL) gives the. following definition: “A kind of pie. Originally made in.

What is the difference between a Cornish 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.

Can you eat Bridies cold? ›

SUITABLE FOR EATEN HOT OR COLD.

What is inky pinky Scottish food? ›

'Inky Pinky' was a Scottish children's name for parsnip and potato cakes, but it has been suggested that an onomatopoeic reference to the sound of bed springs is more likely a soldier's ribald derivation.

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