Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout Pies Review

A Heavenly Delight: Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout Meat Pies Review

Fellow frazzled foodies! As someone whose relationship with Trader Joe’s frozen section has had more ups and downs than my kids’ screen time battles, I approached their Steak and Stout Meat Pies with healthy skepticism. I mean, really a British pub classic from a freezer case? Between juggling online meetings and hunting for gluten free options that don’t taste like cardboard, I wasn’t convinced these meat-filled pastry pockets deserved precious freezer real estate. The packaging promised tender beef and rich stout gravy wrapped in flaky pastry, ambitious claims that had me raising an eyebrow higher than when my teenager says they’ve “finished their homework.” But curiosity (and a desperate need for dinner shortcuts) won out, so I grabbed a box and prepared to put these pies to the ultimate test: my flavor-demanding family and my chronically overbooked schedule.

Unforgettable Flavor?

The first bite of Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout Meat Pie is a revelation. The steak is incredibly tender, succulent, and full of flavor. Each piece melts in your mouth, leaving behind a warm and satisfying feeling. The robust stout gravy envelops the steak, infusing it with a delightful depth of taste. The gravy strikes a perfect balance between savory and slightly sweet, with hints of caramel and roasted malt. It adds an extra layer of richness that takes these meat pies to a whole new level.

Pastry Journey

A meat pie is only as good as its crust, and Trader Joe’s certainly delivers on this front. The pastry crust is flaky, buttery, and golden brown, providing a satisfying crunch with every bite. It is expertly baked, striking the right balance between firmness and tenderness. The crust holds up well, even with the generous amount of flavorful filling, ensuring that every mouthful is a delightful experience. The only problem with the pastry crust is that there is a LOT of it. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the pie crust and it was perfectly baked and crispy but there is a lot.

Convenience and Versatility?

Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout Meat Pies are a perfect solution for busy individuals or those looking for an easy and delicious meal. They are conveniently packaged in two individual servings, making them an easy way for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a family on the go, these meat pies are a hassle-free choice. They can be easily heated in the oven, make a salad on the side or buy some frozen veggies from Trader Joe’s and heat up in the microwave and voila! instant meal…

Here’s the reality check that had me rolling my eyes harder than when my teen explains TikTok to me: these ‘convenient’ pies demand over an HOUR of oven time. Yes, you read that correctly 60+ precious minutes while small humans circle you like hungry sharks and work emails multiply. Microwave them to save time? Only if you enjoy pastry with the texture of a wet sponge. I attempted the ‘microwave thaw, then oven’ hack in desperation, which helped shave off some minutes. But I’ll be a straight shooters, when the package says “convenient”, I expect something faster than making lasagna from scratch. And for my gluten-free and vegan friends frantically scrolling for options sadly, these aren’t in your dietary wheelhouse. Talk about playing hard to get, Trader Joe’s!

Value

Trader Joe’s always strives to provide customers with exceptional value, and their Steak and Stout Meat Pies are no different. Priced competitively, at $6.49 for two, these meat pies offer a quasi gourmet experience at an affordable price. Each pie is 800 calories, for most that’s enough but many you’ll need a side to complete a meal. The quality of ingredients, the expert craftsmanship, and the great taste of these meat pies make them worth every penny. Each pie comes in at a whopping 800 calories which is more than enough for almost anyone for a single meal. One pie has 1180mg of sodium which is almost 50% of your daily recommended allowance of sodium. So, I wouldn’t make these a daily meal and only a special treat.

Final Verdict

Let’s cut to the chase, Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout Meat Pies are actually pretty darn good for what they are: freezer to table saviors masquerading as gourmet British pub fare. The flavor punches above its frozen weight class with that rich stout gravy that somehow tastes like someone’s grandmother (not mine, I come from a long line of microwave enthusiasts) spent hours simmering it. But, and this is where my relationship with these pies gets complicated, there’s enough pastry here to build a small carb fortress while the filling plays a frustrating game of hide and seek. Still, when that rare alignment of having both an hour to spare AND remembering to preheat the oven actually happens, these pies deliver a satisfying meal that makes me feel like I’ve got my life together (momentarily). Not vegan, not gluten free, definitely not kosher, but for the carnivores among us racing between meetings and school pickups, these little British imports have earned their spot in my freezer rotation. Just maybe stock up on some extra veggies to serve alongside, or you’ll be hitting the snack cabinet before bedtime!

INGREDIENTS:

PIE DOUGH (UNBLEACHED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID) UNSALTED BUTTER (CREAM (FROM MILK), NATURAL FLAVOR [LACTIC ACIDI), WATER, NONFAT DRY MILK, SEA SALT, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR), PIE FILLING (STOUT GRAVY(WATER, STOUT BEER, CARROTS, TOMATO PASTE, CELERY, DICED ONIONS, CORNSTARCH, UNSALTED BUTTER(CREAM (FROM MILK), NATURAL FLAVOR (LACTIC ACID), GARLIC, MUSHROOMS, SEA SALT, SUGAR, BLACK PEPPER, ROSEMARY LEAVES, XANTHAN GUM, THYME), BEEF STEAK(STEAK, WATER, CORN STARCH, SALT, BLACK PEPPER), POTATO, BEEF BASE(ROASTED BEEF AND CONCENTRATE BEEF STOCK, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC MALTODEXTRIN, SUNFLOWER OIL, SUGAR, DRIED ONION AND GARLIC, DRIED WHEY, CARAMEL COLOR CELERY SEED AND BLACK PEPPER)), EGG, PEPPER.

CONTAINS: MILK, EGG, WHEAT DIST. & SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY:

HEATING INSTRUCTIONS:

CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Preheat oven to 350 °F. Remove outer packaging and film. Place on a baking sheet on the center oven rack and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until heated through. Carefully remove from oven and let stand 2 minutes before serving.

MICROWAVE (1200 watt): Microwave cook times may vary depending on oven wattage.

Remove outer packaging and film. Place on a microwave-safe dish, and heat on high for 5 minutes or until hot. Carefully remove pies from the microwave oven and let them sit for at least two minutes before eating because the insides will be very hot.