We’ve all had that experience having the first mouthful of a pie with a rich, flavourful filling only to be let down by a crust that’s overcooked, underdone, or just too thick, throwing off the texture and taking away from what could’ve been an otherwise perfect bite. Perfecting that flaky pastry is often the most challenging part of mastering the classic steak pie. No matter how delicious the filling is, a steak pie is only as good as its pastry.

According to Mud Foods, the secret hack is laminating. The key is to repeatedly fold and roll the cold butter into the dough multiple times, creating those delicate layers that give the crust its signature flakiness.

The many folds will trap the air and result in a light, crisp and buttery crust that perfectly compliments the tender and hearty filling.

This technique helps ensure the pastry puffs up beautifully, adding both texture and richness to each bite.

Something else that is key to making the best steak pie is slow-cooking.

Cooking the beef slowly and on a low temperature will ensure the beef is tender.

This will also allow the beef to absorb the flavours of the other ingredients, adding depth and richness to the filling.

Another important component of the pie-making is marinating the meat, which should be done for several hours to allow the herbs and spices, such as thyme and garlic, to fully infuse the beef.