Steak Bake
Small hand-held puff pastry pies filled with slow-cooked chunks of beef in a thick, peppery gravy. The bakery-counter favourite, made at home.
How to Make Steak Bake
Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.
-
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and brown the beef in two batches for 3 minutes each. Lift it onto a plate.
-
Add the onion to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, until soft. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
-
Return the beef to the pan, pour in the stock, and add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for 35 minutes.
-
Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes more, until the beef is tender and the gravy is very thick.
-
Spread the filling on a plate and let it cool completely, about 30 minutes.
-
Heat the oven to 200°C / 400°F and line two baking trays with baking paper.
-
Cut each sheet of pastry into 4 rectangles. Set 4 rectangles on the trays, spoon about 120 g of the filling onto the middle of each, leaving a 1.5 cm border, and brush the border with egg.
-
Top with the other rectangles, press the edges together with a fork to seal, and slash the tops twice. Brush with the egg glaze.
-
Bake for 25 minutes, until puffed and deep golden, and let them cool for 5 minutes before eating.
Tips for Making Steak Bake
- Cool the filling completely before you use it. A warm filling melts the butter in the pastry and makes a soggy base.
- Reduce the gravy until it is very thick. A thin filling leaks in the oven, and it should hold on a spoon.
- Seal the edges firmly with a fork and cut two slits in the top. The slits let steam out and stop the bakes bursting.
What to Serve with Steak Bake
- Baked beans
- Mushy peas
- Chunky chips
Storing & Reheating Steak Bake
Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in a 190°C oven for 12 minutes. Freeze the unbaked bakes for up to 2 months and bake from frozen at 190°C for 35 minutes.
Steak Bake FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Steak Bake take to make?
About 1 hour 50 minutes in total — 30 minutes of preparation and 1 hour 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Steak Bake?
Cool the filling completely before you use it. A warm filling melts the butter in the pastry and makes a soggy base. Reduce the gravy until it is very thick. A thin filling leaks in the oven, and it should hold on a spoon. Seal the edges firmly with a fork and cut two slits in the top. The slits let steam out and stop the bakes bursting.
What should I serve with Steak Bake?
Baked beans; Mushy peas; Chunky chips.
Can Steak Bake be made ahead or frozen?
Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in a 190°C oven for 12 minutes. Freeze the unbaked bakes for up to 2 months and bake from frozen at 190°C for 35 minutes.
Is Steak Bake suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is high-protein and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Steak Bake?
About 888 kcal per serving, with 37 g protein, 68 g carbohydrate and 52 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Steak Bake Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
Cooked this? Leave a review
Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.