Pork and Apple Pie

Anyone who’s ever seen a Harry Potter movie knows that the British love their meat pies. They’ve been baking versions of the flaky, savory, meaty delicacies for centuries—and not just at Hogwarts. This pork and apple pie recipe takes its inspiration from a classic British pie known as Cheshire pork pie, which hails from the north of England. Fruit trees are plentiful there, so marrying firm, tart apples (think apple pie apples) with succulent, salty pork is a natural outcome. This farmhouse pork and apple pie recipe puts a twist on the classic by topping it with buttery mashed potatoes, as you would with shepherd’s pie.

Pork and Apple Pie Ingredients

• Bacon
• Onions
• Boneless pork
• All-purpose flour
• Canola oil (optional)
• Tart apples
• Rubbed sage
• Salt
• Ground nutmeg
• Pepper
• Apple cider
• Water
• Potatoes
• Butter
• 2% milk
• Additional salt and pepper to taste
• Minced fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Cook the bacon and onions

In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s crisp. Remove it with a slotted spoon, then drain it on paper towels. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings from the pan. Return the pan to the stovetop, and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the onions to the pan, and cook them until they’re tender, five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the onions with a slotted spoon, and reduce the heat to medium.

Step 2: Brown the pork

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toss the pork with the flour. Working in batches, brown it in the skillet, adding canola oil if needed. Remove the pork with a slotted spoon, then remove the skillet from the heat and discard the drippings.

Step 3: Braise the pork and apples, then bake

Return the pork to the skillet, then add the bacon, onions, apples, sage, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Stir in the cider and water. Cover the skillet with foil, and bake it until the pork is tender, about two hours.

Step 4: Cook the potatoes

Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover them with water. Bring that to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5: Mash the potatoes

Preheat the broiler. Drain the potatoes, then mash them, gradually adding 3 tablespoons of the butter, enough milk to reach a thick but creamy consistency, and the salt and pepper.

Step 6: Assemble the pie

Spread the potatoes over the pork mixture in an even layer. Melt the remaining butter, and brush it over the potatoes. Broil the pie, 6 inches from the heat, until the topping is lightly browned, about five minutes. Before serving, sprinkle the pie with chopped parsley, if desired.

How to Store Pork and Apple Pie

Store any leftover pork and apple pie in the refrigerator for three to four days. Reheat it in the microwave or a 350° oven until it’s heated through. You can also freeze leftover pie by placing it in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag and storing it for up to four months.

Pork and Apple Pie Tips

Can I make farmhouse pork and apple pie with instant potatoes?

Yes, you can definitely use instant potatoes to cut down on time, but you may be sacrificing some of the taste and texture that you can only get by using fresh potatoes. You can make instant potatoes better by choosing a quality brand and dressing them up a little with herbs and garlic. An alternative to instant is buying frozen mashed potatoes. They are made from fresh potatoes and then frozen.

Can I use a pie shell for pork and apple pie?

You bet. While traditional shepherd’s pie is almost always crustless, there are countless recipes for savory meat pies that include a buttery, flaky pie crust. Whether you make it from scratch or choose a good store-bought crust, this pie will be delicious encased in golden brown pastry.

Can this pork apple pie be made gluten-free?

Absolutely! Since the only wheat in this recipe is the all-purpose flour used to dredge the meat before searing, it can easily be substituted with a gluten-free flour blend. From there, just follow the recipe as written.