Slow-Baked Beef and Vegemite Pie with Golden Puff Pastry
A savory Australian meat pie featuring slow-braised beef enriched with the distinctive umami flavor of Vegemite, topped with flaky golden puff pastry. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 165 minutes pairs (450 g) beef chuck, cubed, vegetable oil, medium onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) beef chuck, cubed
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Vegemite
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 sheet (about 8x8 inches) frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 finely chopped onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Add 1 cup beef broth, 1/2 cup red wine, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tbsp Vegemite, stirring to combine.
- Step 4: Add 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 2 hours until beef is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Remove the beef mixture from the oven and let cool slightly. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Step 6: Transfer the beef filling to a pie dish. Roll out 1 thawed puff pastry sheet to cover the dish, trimming excess pastry.
- Step 7: Brush the pastry with 1 beaten egg and cut a few slits in the top for steam to escape.
- Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden and puffed. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Baked Beef and Vegemite Pie with Golden Puff Pastry take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (20 min prep + 145 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Baked Beef and Vegemite Pie with Golden Puff Pastry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (450 g) beef chuck, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Baked Beef and Vegemite Pie with Golden Puff Pastry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Baked Beef and Vegemite Pie with Golden Puff Pastry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Baked Beef and Vegemite Pie with Golden Puff Pastry?
Australian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
