Mini Beef Tourtières (Printable)

Flaky pastries filled with savory spiced beef. A classic Canadian appetizer perfect for festive gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Cream Cheese Pastry

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 8 oz unsalted butter, cold and diced
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Beef Filling

05 - 1 lb ground beef
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 cup beef broth
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Assembly

17 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, blend softened cream cheese and cold butter until smooth. Add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Divide dough in half, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
02 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Stir in allspice, cinnamon, cloves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth and simmer until mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in fresh parsley, and allow to cool completely.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
04 - Roll out chilled pastry dough on a floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut 2 3/4 inch rounds using a round pastry cutter. Place half the rounds on prepared baking sheets.
05 - Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon of cooled beef filling onto each pastry round on the baking sheets. Brush edges lightly with water, top with a second pastry round, and seal edges firmly using a fork.
06 - Brush the top of each pastry with beaten egg. Cut a small slit in each for steam to escape during baking.
07 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cream cheese pastry is ridiculously tender without being fussy or temperamental once you get the hang of it.
  • That hit of allspice and cinnamon in the beef makes your kitchen smell like a holiday even in the middle of July.
  • They freeze beautifully unbaked, so you can pull out exactly as many as you need for unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Don't overwork the pastry dough or it'll turn tough, mix it just until it holds together and then stop.
  • Make sure the filling is completely cool before you assemble the pies, or it'll melt the pastry and make sealing them a nightmare.
  • Cut that little steam vent in the top or the filling will bubble out the sides and make a mess on your baking sheet.
03 -
  • Use a fork dipped in flour to seal the edges, it stops the dough from sticking and makes a prettier pattern.
  • If your dough gets too soft while you're rolling, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes and it'll behave again.
  • Taste the filling before you assemble everything and adjust the salt or spices, it should be bold enough to shine through that buttery pastry.
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