Sweet & Savory Quebec-Style Beef Tourtiere Recipe For The Holidays

Crisp winter nights call for hearty comfort dishes that warm the soul, and this Quebec-style beef tourtiere recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

Generations of Canadian families have cherished this traditional meat pie passed down through decades of delicious cooking.

Flaky pastry cradles a savory filling of seasoned ground beef and aromatic spices that dance on your palate.

The rich blend of herbs and meat creates a rustic meal that speaks directly to comfort and tradition.

Tender, juicy beef nestled between layers of buttery crust transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Each slice tells a story of Quebec’s culinary heritage, inviting you to savor a taste of authentic Canadian cuisine.

Prepare to be transported by this classic tourtiere that promises to become a new family favorite.

What Makes Quebec Beef Tourtiere Special

• Savor Quick Snacking: Whip up these delightful banana chips in minutes, perfect for sudden hunger pangs or spontaneous treat cravings.
• Customize Your Flavor: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg or cardamom, transforming the classic cinnamon-sugar combo into a personalized snack adventure.
• Master Healthy Indulgence: Create a guilt-free treat that's naturally sweet, packed with nutrients, and prepared using minimal oil in the air fryer for a lighter alternative to traditional fried chips.
• Impress with Simplicity: Surprise family and friends with a homemade snack that looks professionally crafted but requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients.

Main Ingredients in Quebec Beef Tourtiere

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure and base for creating a flaky and tender pie crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pie crust.
• Cold Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates layers in the pie crust for a flaky texture.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the ingredients together without overworking the dough.

• Ground Beef: The primary protein that creates the hearty base of the traditional Quebec-style tourtiere.
• Onion, Garlic: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic base to the meat filling.
• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and rich meaty flavor to the filling.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps absorb excess liquid and bind the meat mixture together.

• Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that give tourtiere its distinctive Quebec-style flavor profile.
• Thyme, Sage: Herbal notes that complement the rich meat filling.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy and umami depth to the meat mixture.

How to Cook Quebec Beef Tourtiere

Step 1: Create Buttery Pie Dough

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in flour and salt. Drop in cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to massage the butter into the flour until it looks like rough, crumbly sand.

Slowly drizzle ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just starts to hold together. Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape into flat circles, and wrap in plastic wrap.

Step 2: Brown the Beef Base

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Tumble in ground beef and cook until it’s nicely browned, breaking it into tiny pieces.

Drain away any extra fat.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Cook for 3-4 minutes until everything softens and smells amazing.

• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Thyme
• Sage
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let these spices dance around for 1-2 minutes to release their wonderful aroma.

Step 4: Create Hearty Filling

• Beef broth
• Breadcrumbs
• Worcestershire sauce

Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Take off the heat and let it cool down a bit.

Step 5: Prepare Oven and Pie Dish

Crank up the oven to 375F (190C).

Step 6: Shape the Bottom Crust

Roll out one dough circle on a flour-dusted surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Gently transfer the dough to the dish, pressing it into the edges.

Step 7: Fill and Top the Pie

Spoon the cooled meat mixture into the pie crust, spreading it evenly. Roll out the second dough circle and drape it over the filling.

Crimp the edges to seal, and cut a few small slits on top to let steam escape.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pie onto the middle oven rack.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and the filling bubbles with excitement.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Pull the pie out of the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.

Slice and enjoy your Quebec-style comfort feast!

Helpful Tips for Quebec Beef Tourtiere

• Keep butter extremely cold to ensure a flaky, tender pie crust that separates into delicate layers when baked.
• Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to enhance their depth and release more complex flavors in the meat filling.
• Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs on the bottom crust before adding filling to absorb excess moisture and maintain crispness.
• Allow the tourtiere to cool for at least 10 minutes after baking, which helps the filling set and makes slicing cleaner and more precise.
• Break ground beef into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even seasoning and a consistent, smooth filling throughout the pie.

Variations to Try with Quebec Beef Tourtiere

• Vegetarian Tourtiere: Replace ground beef with a blend of lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts for a protein-packed plant-based version. Season with similar spices to maintain the traditional flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for the crust. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in the filling to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Lamb Variation: Substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a richer, more intense flavor. Keep the traditional Quebec spice blend to preserve the classic tourtiere essence.
• Chicken Tourtiere: Use ground chicken instead of beef for a lighter meat option. Adjust seasoning to complement the milder chicken flavor while maintaining the traditional spice profile.

Best Pairings for Quebec Beef Tourtiere

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that matches the rich, spiced meat filling, complementing the hearty flavors and cutting through the pie's buttery crust.
• Create Tangy Side Salad: Whip up a crisp green salad with sharp vinaigrette dressing to balance the tourtiere's dense, savory profile and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, spiced meat.
• Serve with Pickled Accompaniments: Add traditional Quebec-style pickled vegetables or cornichons on the side, delivering a zingy, acidic element that helps cleanse the palate between bites of the dense, meaty pie.

Proper Storage for Quebec Beef Tourtiere

• Store leftover tourtiere in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Completely cool the tourtiere, then wrap securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Cut cooled pie into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Frozen slices will keep for 1-2 months and can be reheated directly from frozen.

FAQs

• What is the origin of tourtiere?

Tourtiere is a traditional meat pie originating from Quebec, Canada, deeply rooted in French-Canadian culinary heritage and typically served during holiday celebrations like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

• Why are spices like cinnamon and cloves used in the filling?

These warm spices add depth and complexity to the meat filling, creating a unique flavor profile that distinguishes tourtiere from other meat pies and reflects traditional Quebec cooking techniques.

• Can I use different types of meat for the filling?

While ground beef is common, authentic tourtiere often uses a mixture of ground pork and beef, or even game meats like venison, allowing for flexibility in meat selection while maintaining the dish’s classic spirit.

Quebec-Style Beef Tourtiere Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Hearty Quebec-style beef tourtière delivers a savory slice of Canadian culinary heritage, blending rich ground meat and warming spices into a flaky pastry embrace. Homemade comfort awaits you in this traditional pie that promises a delicious journey through Quebec’s beloved winter comfort cuisine.

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Ingredients

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Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 6–8 tablespoons ice water

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Instructions

1. Craft a delicate pie crust by blending flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture transforms into coarse, pebble-like crumbs.
2. Introduce ice water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, gently binding the dough without overworking the mixture. Form two equal disc-shaped portions and wrap in plastic.
3. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into fine fragments. Eliminate excess fat thoroughly.
4. Sauté chopped onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
5. Awaken the spices by stirring cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, allowing their aromas to intensify for 1-2 minutes.
6. Enrich the filling with beef broth, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and develops a robust consistency.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing for a golden, flaky masterpiece.
8. Roll out the first dough disc on a floured surface, carefully draping it into a 9-inch pie dish, ensuring a snug fit along the edges.
9. Spread the cooled meat filling evenly across the bottom crust, creating a hearty base.
10. Top the pie with the second dough disc, trimming and crimping the edges to create a tight seal. Cut strategic steam vents across the surface.
11. Bake on the middle oven rack for 40-45 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown crust and bubbling filling.
12. Allow the tourtiere to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing, letting the flavors meld and settle.

Notes

• Keep butter ice-cold to ensure a flaky, tender pie crust that crumbles perfectly when baked.
• Use minimal water when mixing pie dough to prevent tough, dense pastry and maintain delicate texture.
• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Try spice blend by adjusting quantities to personal taste, balancing warm cinnamon and savory herbs for complex depth.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 183
• Sugar: 0.1 g
• Sodium: 104 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg