After sampling a range of frozen beef pies from Australian supermarkets, I enlisted several Sydney bakers and chefs to help uncover the best options. The taste test evaluated 12 brands based on pastry and filling quality, scored separately, and the results surprised me.
All pies were prepared as per their packaging instructions and served warm, with tomato sauce on hand for those who wished to use it. While the prices varied, with some pies costing as much as $7 and others less than $1, most showcased similar pastry textures—dense and lacking a buttery finish. Ultimately, there was only one pie that I deemed inedible after the blind taste test.
Top Performer: Elmsbury Chunky Sous Vide Beef
The winning pie, priced at $6.49 for two (thus $3.25 each), received a score of 7.5/10. While it may not rival gourmet bakery pies, it offers a satisfying combination of hearty meat stew and a dense, serviceable pastry. Ideal for a casual night in, it performs well for its price point.
Runner-Up: Herbert Adams Chunky Sous Vide Beef
Equally scoring 7.5/10, this pie is priced slightly higher at $9.50 for two. While it has a thicker pastry, the beef filling is commendably rich and flavourful, making it a solid competitor.
Best Value: Elmsbury Classic Chunky Beef Pies
At just $5.99 for four pies, this option scored 6/10 and is characterised as a step up from typical stadium pies. If you’re after a classic footy snack, this pie delivers substantial texture and taste.
Other Contenders:
- Four’N Twenty Angus Aussie Beef Pies: Scored 6.5/10 and priced at $12 for four, these pies evoke nostalgia for servo snacks, though their overly salty filling drew mixed reactions.
- Mrs Mac’s Famous Beef: Scoring 6/10, these are basic but palatable, offering an average experience.
- Charlotte’s Bakery Chunky Beef: Similarly scored 6/10, but its firm pastry is notable, complemented by hints of spice.
- Simmone Logue Chunky Beef and Vegetable: Received 5.5/10, with its unusual filling described as more befitting of a vegan pie.
- Ivan’s Chunky Angus Beef: Scored 5/10, noted for its goulash-like filling that didn’t resonate with tasters.
Lowest Scorer:
The notorious Elmsbury Classic Meat Pies scored a dismal 2.5/10, described by testers as tasteless and gelatinous. With mixed reviews, several panel members expressed disbelief that the same brand produced both the top-rated and this unsavoury pie. The wide variety in scores illustrates the ongoing love for meat pies among Australians, with many choices available for all tastes and budgets.