When it comes to hearty, comforting meals, few things hit the spot like a good steak pie. Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich stout gravy, all wrapped in a golden, flaky pastry. This frozen meal offers a simple way to enjoy the flavors of a classic British pub-style dish at home without the fuss of making it from scratch.
At $6.99 for a 16-ounce pie, it's a satisfying meal for one or a substantial snack for two. The pie delivers a rich, savory filling that's perfect for cold nights or when you're craving something indulgent and filling. But if you are counting calories, you might be better off sitting this one out at 800 calories per serving.
Product Description
Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie is a frozen meal featuring tender beef chunks, vegetables, and a stout-based gravy, all encased in a buttery puff pastry. The beef is slow-cooked, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the stout gravy adds depth and richness to every bite. The pastry bakes up golden and crispy, offering the perfect contrast to the rich, saucy filling.
Whether you're a fan of traditional meat pies or just looking for a convenient, hearty meal, this pie offers a delicious solution that's ready in about 30 minutes.
Honest Review of Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie
Flavor: The flavor of this pie is deeply savory, with the beef and stout gravy providing a rich, hearty base. The stout adds a subtle bitterness, balancing out the richness of the beef and vegetables. The filling has a robust, earthy flavor, thanks to the stout, and the vegetables add texture and a bit of sweetness. The pastry is buttery and flaky, complementing the savory filling perfectly. The problem here is that there isn't all that much beef in this little pie.
Texture: The pastry is the highlight here-it bakes up beautifully golden and crisp, offering a nice contrast to the tender beef and saucy filling. The beef is soft and tender, and the stout gravy is thick without being too heavy. The vegetables still have some texture, adding a nice variety to each bite.
Overall: This pie performs well as a meal for one or a substantial snack for two. It's easy to prepare, and the result feels like a homemade dish without any of the effort. Whether you're heating it up in the oven or air fryer, the pastry gets perfectly crispy, and the filling stays hot and flavorful.
That being said, you'll have to justify the taste with the calorie count. There is a good amount of pastry here which ends with a calorie count at around 800 per serving. For me it was good, just not 800 calories worth of good.
Ingredients
Key ingredients include:
- Beef: Tender, slow-cooked chunks of beef form the heart of the filling.
- Stout Beer: Adds a rich, slightly bitter flavor to the gravy, giving the pie its signature depth.
- Vegetables: Carrots, onions, and potatoes add sweetness, texture, and balance to the rich filling.
- Puff Pastry: A buttery, flaky crust that contrasts beautifully with the hearty filling
How to Enjoy Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie
- Bake in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F, place the pie on a baking sheet, and bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is heated through.
- Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat your air fryer to 325°F.
- Place the pie in the air fryer basket, making sure it has enough space for air to circulate around it.
- Air fry for 25-30 minutes, checking at the halfway point. You're looking for the crust to be golden brown and the filling to be heated through.
- Check doneness: If the crust isn't as crispy as you'd like after 30 minutes, you can add an extra 5 minutes, but keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
- Pair with a Side Salad or Veggies: While this pie is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, you can serve it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.
Recipe Suggestions
Serve with a Pint of Stout: Pair the pie with a cold pint of stout beer to complement the rich flavors of the filling.
Steak and Stout Pie with Mashed Potatoes: Serve the pie with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and a drizzle of the extra stout gravy for a complete, indulgent meal.
Pie and Gravy Sandwich: If you're feeling adventurous, cut the pie in half and stuff it between two slices of toasted bread for an over-the-top comfort food sandwich.
FAQs about Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
This pie is best cooked in the oven or air fryer for the crispiest crust. Microwaving may result in a soggier pastry.
No, the puff pastry and stout in the filling contain gluten, making it unsuitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
While the pie comes frozen, once baked, it's best enjoyed fresh. Freezing the cooked pie may affect the texture of the pastry.
The pie can be stored in the freezer for several months-just check the packaging for the best-by date.
Conclusion
Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie is the ultimate comfort food for those days when you crave something hearty, savory, and satisfying. With tender beef, a rich stout gravy, and buttery puff pastry, this pie delivers on flavor and texture. At $6.99, it's a filling meal for one or a shareable snack for two, perfect for cozy nights or when you want a pub-style meal at home. While it's not gluten-free and the portion size may not be enough for larger groups, it's a delicious and easy-to-prepare option that's sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings. Just pair it with a side salad or some mashed potatoes, and you've got yourself a well-rounded meal. But you'll have to figure out if the 800 calories are worth it.
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Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie
Product Name: Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pie
Product Description: Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pies are a classic in the frozen section.
Price: $6.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Steak and Stout Pies are a classic in the frozen section.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Hearty, Savory Flavor: The combination of tender beef and rich stout gravy creates a satisfying, comforting dish.
- Crispy Pastry: The puff pastry bakes up golden and flaky, offering the perfect contrast to the filling.
- Easy to Prepare: From freezer to table in under 30 minutes.
- Affordable: At $6.99, it’s a substantial meal without breaking the bank.
Cons
- Not Gluten-Free: The puff pastry and stout make this product unsuitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Portion Size: While filling, the pie is best suited as a meal for one or a snack for two—larger groups may need more than one.
- Calorie Count: 800 calories is a lot
- Pastry: This has a lot of pastry and not a ton of filling
mltrautz@yahoo.com says
Wow - 800 calories is crazy.
Brenda Engler says
We wanted to like these, but the pies were not hot in the time recommended on the box, there was too much crust and not enough/ant beef in our pies. Don’t waste your money.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Brenda!
Laura says
This is a typical British-style pie. My Brit husband and I adore them. We will skip breakfast to have these for lunch on a cold and blustery day.
becomebetty says
Hey Laura!
Well, it would seem that you and your husband can speak to the authenticity more than I ever could. I totally appreciate you stopping by and sharing that valuable bit of information!
tom says
this gave me food poisoning
becomebetty says
Hey Tom! I hope you are feeling better. I think the best place for you to share your thoughts on this product is with Trader Joe's directly. Here is their link for product feedback: https://www.traderjoes.com/contact-us/product-feedback. I'm not affiliated in anyway with Trader Joe's. I just love writing about the stuff I eat. Reach out to them, that would be your best best to get a response. Again, this site and Trader Joe's are completely unaffiliated in anyway with one another.
Katie says
So glad that you posted this! Couldn't decide what to buy for dinner and this was one of my two choices. I did not realize how much tomato was in this and would have been very unhappy had I chosen this. Thanks!
becomebetty says
Hey Katie! I'm glad my pictures were of help to you. I know my husband hates chunks of tomatoes so that is always a consideration at dinner time. Glad I could be of help and thanks again for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Lesley K says
As we go to England frequently, we enjoy a good Steak and Ale Pie. Very disappointed in the pies purchased from Trader Joe's. The pastry was pretty good and the gravy tasty: However, it was hard to find a piece of meat that was not tough and chewy. Would not buy again.
becomebetty says
Hey Lesley! I'm glad you said something. You've clearly had the authentic variety and I'm glad you can comment on their authenticity. Thanks so much very for taking the time to stop by and share!
Marie says
Agree with Brenda. Look great, but cut into it to find ONE decent size piece of steak and four shreds. Lots of potato and some carrots. Very disappointed!
becomebetty says
Hey Marie! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
margaret hackney says
Never again. Tasty but dry crust that enclosed 3 (small) cubes of beef, very little gravy, warm when cooked according to directions.
becomebetty says
Hey Margaret! Thanks so much for sharing your honest thoughts on these.
Bob Nogera says
I love them, but then I’m not big on food with a strong flavor. They are my go to for when I’m really hungry and haven’t eaten all day, so the high calorie count is not a problem.
becomebetty says
Hey Bob! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
Amy says
Our family loves them.
becomebetty says
Hey Amy! Thanks for sharing!