This Hairy Bikers Cornish Pasty Recipe is a hearty and traditional dish, which uses skirt steak and homemade shortcrust pastry. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeHairy Bikers Cornish Pasty Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 100g lard, cubed and chilled
- 100g unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150ml cold water
For the Filling:
- 350g skirt steak, very thinly sliced
- 350g potato, peeled and thinly sliced
- 150g swede (rutabaga), peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 knob of butter, melted, for brushing
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash

How To Make Hairy Bikers Cornish Pasty
- Make the pastry: Rub flour, lard, and butter with fingertips until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add salt and water, mix gently until dough just comes together. Shape into a ball, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Mix steak, potato, swede, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss with hands until well combined.
- Roll the pastry: Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Divide chilled dough into four. Roll each piece into a 20cm circle on a floured surface.
- Assemble the pasties: Spoon a quarter of the filling onto one half of each pastry circle. Leave a 2cm border. Dot with melted butter.
- Seal and crimp: Brush edges with beaten egg. Fold over to make a half-moon, seal tightly, and crimp edges. Cut a small slit in the top of each to let steam escape.
- Bake the pasties: Place on a baking sheet and brush with more egg wash. Bake for 15 minutes at 200°C, then reduce to 170°C (150°C Fan/Gas 3) and bake 35–40 minutes until golden and tender.

Recipe Tips
- What cut of meat is best?
Skirt steak is traditional for its flavor and tenderness after baking. - Can I make the pastry ahead?
Yes, wrap and chill up to 24 hours in advance. - How to get a golden crust:
Use a generous egg wash before baking and bake at high heat initially. - Can I freeze Cornish pasties?
Yes, freeze unbaked pasties. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes to the cook time. - Why crimp the edge?
Crimping helps seal in juices and gives the pasty its traditional look.
What To Serve With Cornish Pasties
These pasties are perfect as a standalone meal or with sides like:
- Baked beans or mushy peas
- Pickled onions or chutney
- A simple green salad
- Chips or roasted potatoes
- Tomato ketchup or brown sauce

How To Store Cornish Pasties
Refrigerate:
Store cooled pasties in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a moderate oven.
Freeze:
Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen or thaw overnight.
Cornish Pasty Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 750 kcal
- Total Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sodium: 900mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 65g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 25g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use puff pastry instead of homemade?
Yes, though traditional Cornish pasties use a shortcrust pastry for structure.
Do I have to cook the filling first?
No, the ingredients cook inside the pasty during baking.
What is the difference between a Cornish pasty and other pasties?
Cornish pasties use skirt steak, potato, swede, and onion with no pre-cooked filling.
Can I make mini versions?
Yes, divide the dough and filling into smaller portions and reduce bake time.
How do I keep the base from going soggy?
Make sure your filling isn’t too wet and bake on a preheated baking tray.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Homemade Baked Beans Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Yorkshire Pudding Recipe
Hairy Bikers Cornish Pasty Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: British4
servings20
minutes55
minutes750
kcalTraditional Cornish pasties filled with steak, root vegetables, and herbs wrapped in golden homemade pastry.
Ingredients
- For the Pastry:
500g all-purpose flour
100g lard, cubed and chilled
100g unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1/2 tsp salt
150ml cold water
- For the Filling:
350g skirt steak, thinly sliced
350g potato, thinly sliced
150g swede, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 tbsp fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
1 knob melted butter
1 egg, beaten
Directions
- Make pastry, chill 30 minutes.
- Mix steak, veg, and herbs.
- Roll pastry into four 20cm rounds.
- Fill, fold, seal, and crimp.
- Egg wash and bake 15 minutes at 200°C, then 35–40 minutes at 170°C.
- Serve warm.
