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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Beef

Cumberland Pie

Jun 15, 2022 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 11 Comments

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Cumberland pie with a text title overlay.
Cumberland pie with a text title overlay.

Cumberland pie is such an incredibly comforting dish, it will quickly become a family favourite. Similar to a cottage pie, but made with chunks of tender beef in a rich gravy that just melt in your mouth and then topped with slices of potato and cheese and breadcrumbs. And it only takes 10 minutes to prepare!

A large round baking dish containing Cumberland pie with a portion removed.

Don't be put off the long cook time of this recipe, as it involves just 10 minutes prep and it is all done in one pan. The rest of the time is letting the oven work its magic and cooking it low and slow until the beef is cooked to perfection.

If you are looking for some other pie recipes to try, then why not try our Chicken and Ham Pie, Sausage and Mash Pie, Healthy Fish Pie, Shepherd's Pie or Cheesy Vegetable Pie?

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love It
  • What is Cumberland Pie?
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • How to Make Cumberland Pie - Step by Step
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Beef Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why You Will Love It

  • Easy - Once the beef and vegetables are browned, it's as simple as putting it in the oven and leaving it to cook before topping it with potato slices. Simple!
  • Comforting - A hearty and warming pie is total comfort food. This thick and rich gravy will just warm your belly.
  • Budget friendly - This is quite an inexpensive meal to make. Using diced beef makes it cheaper and the root vegetables are fairly cheap. You can also bulk it out with beans and vegetables.
  • Freezes well - This Cumberland pie recipe freezes and reheats really well, making it perfect for batch cooking and storing in the freezer for a rainy day.

What is Cumberland Pie?

You might be wondering what the difference is between a Cumberland pie and a cottage pie. Well, for a start, a Cumberland pie uses chunks of beef rather than minced beef. Also, rather than mashed potato on top that you would find on a cottage pie, a Cumberland pie has slices of potato layered on top. It is SO much better in our opinion.

This delicious pie dates back to medieval times where it would have probably been made with game and had dried fruit added to it. It might of had a pastry crust back then too, but it has changed over time. It comes from Cumbria in the North West of England (the region we live in) it is very popular and loved by tourists and locals alike.

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed to make Cumberland Pie with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Beef - We used diced beef for this, as it is what makes a Cumberland pie different from a cottage pie. It is a cheaper cut of meat, but this is cooked low and slow, so it breaks it all down and makes the meat really tender.
  • Flour - Don't skip this ingredient, because it is what is going to help make the gravy nice and thick.
  • Stock - Use a rich beef stock pot to make a really incredible gravy. If we were making this for our kids, then we would use a low salt stock.
  • Worcestershire sauce - This is our (not so) secret ingredient for any stew/casserole. It adds a real depth of flavour.
  • Potato - You can use any potatoes for this. Keep the skin on for extra fibre.
  • Breadcrumbs - If you want this topping extra crispy, then you can use panko breadcrumbs, but that wouldn't be very traditional.
  • Cheese - A mature cheddar works well here because it has a strong flavour, so a little bit goes a long way.

More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.

How to Make Cumberland Pie - Step by Step

Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.

Two shot collage of beef chunks and flour on a plate, before and after mixing.
  1. Step 1: Toss the beef chunks in the flour, salt and pepper.
Flour coated beef chunks frying in a large pan.
  1. Step 2: Using a large, oven proof pan, heat the oil for the beef and add the coated beef chunks. Brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Once browned, remove from the pan and set aside.
Chopped celery, leeks and carrot in a pan, before and after cooking.
  1. Step 3: Heat the remaining oil and add the shallots, celery, leek and carrots. Cook on low until softened, about 6 minutes.
Four shot collage of the beef, tomato puree and stock added to the pan, then all mixed.
  1. Step 4: Add the beef back into the pan, along with the tomato puree, stock and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
A lid placed on the pan, then taken off showing the cooked meat and vegetables.
  1. Step 5: Cover and put in the oven for 2 hours. Remove the lid and cook for a further hour.
Sliced potatoes in a stainless steel saucepan.
  1. Step 6: Add the sliced potatoes to a pan of boiling water. Simmer for 6 minutes.
The beef mixture in a large baking dish, then covered in sliced potatoes.
  1. Step 7: Once cooked, transfer the beef and vegetables to a large baking dish. Layer the potatoes on top in an overlapping pattern.
Two shot collage of cheese and breadcrumbs on top of the pie, before and after cooking.
  1. Step 8: Mix together the cheese and the breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the potatoes. Put back in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the topping has browned.

Serving Suggestions

This Cumberland pie has pretty much got everything in it. It's got protein, it's got vegetables and it's loaded with carbs on top. However, we always try to serve plenty of extra vegetables on the side to make it a more nutritious balanced meal.

If it is greens you are looking for, then try some Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Garlic Green Beans, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Broccoli or Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts.

If it's something a little different you want as a side, then try our Roasted Butternut Squash, Air Fryer Carrots, Broccoli Cheese, Slow Cooker Red Cabbage or Easy Cauliflower Cheese.

While this pie has its own gravy inside it, why not add more by topping it with our amazing Onion Gravy?

Cooked beef and vegetables in a dark gravy.

Storage

Store: Once it is fully cooled, you can store it in air tight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Freeze: This freezes really well making it a great batch cook meal. We portion it out into freezer containers and it will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Defrost: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheat: Make sure it has fully defrosted and then you can either heat it through in the microwave for a couple of minutes or put it in the oven for 15 minutes.

Extra Tips

  • This recipe does have a LONG cooking time. That is how you get the results, by cooking low and slow. In a world of rising energy costs, I know that can be a little off putting to some people. So, we recommend using this recipe as an opportunity to batch cook some cookies and muffins whilst the oven is already on.
  • You could swap the potato topping for mashed potato if you prefer. You could add some cauliflower into the mashed potato for some hidden vegetables.
  • To make this gluten free, make sure you use gluten free flour and breadcrumbs.
Cumberland pie in front of a plate of broccoli.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Cumberland pie in advance?

Yes, you can make this in advance. Just follow all the steps until the last step and then cover it and put it in the fridge until you are ready to cook it. You might need to put it in the oven a little longer if it has come cold from the oven.

Can I make Cumberland pie in the slow cooker?

You could certainly cook the beef mixture in the slow cooker. Still brown the beef and vegetables and then put them in the slow cooker with the rest of the stew ingredients for 8 hours on low. Then follow the rest of the recipe in the oven, as the potatoes really need to go in the oven to get nice and crispy.

More Beef Recipes

  • A bowl of beef bourguignon with some cooked greens.
    Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
  • A large cooking pot full of creamy beef pasta.
    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta
  • Slow cooker beef goulash topped with coriander leaves.
    Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
  • Slow Cooker Beef Casserole and mashed potato in a white dish.
    The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

If you’ve tried this Cumberland pie recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Cumberland pie with a portion removed.

Cumberland Pie

By: Dannii Martin
Cumberland pie is such a comforting dish, it will soon become a family favourite. Melt in the mouth beef in rich gravy, topped with potato and cheese.
4.93 from 14 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total: 3 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 548kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a bunch of celery.
Celery
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a fish.
Fish
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
An illustration of a cow's head.
Meat

Ingredients

  • 700 g (1.5 lb) Beef chunks
  • 3 tablespoon Plain flour
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil - (for the beef)
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil - (for the veg)
  • 4 Shallots - diced
  • 1 rib Celery - diced
  • 1 Leek - thinly sliced
  • 2 Carrot - peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato puree
  • 600 ml (2.5 cups) Beef stock
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 600 g (1.33 lb) Potato - cut into 0.5cm rounds
  • 70 g (0.66 cups) Breadcrumbs
  • 150 g (1.33 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated

Instructions

  • Toss 700 g Beef chunks in the 3 tablespoon Plain flour and salt and pepper.
  • Using a large, oven proof pan, heat 3 tablespoon Olive oil and add the coated beef chunks. Brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Once browned, remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoon Olive oil and add 4 Shallots, 1 rib Celery, 1 Leek and 2 Carrot. Cook on low until softened, about 6 minutes.
  • Add the beef back into the pan, along with 1 tablespoon Tomato puree, 600 ml Beef stock and 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
  • Preheat your oven to 160°C/140°C(fan)/320°F/Gas 4.
  • Cover and put in the oven for 2 hours. Remove the lid and cook for a further hour.
  • Add 600 g Potato (sliced) to a pan of boiling water. Simmer for 6 minutes.
  • Once cooked, transfer the beef and vegetables to a large baking dish. Layer the potatoes on top in an overlapping pattern.
  • Mix together 150 g Cheddar cheese and 70 g Breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the potatoes. Put back in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the topping has browned.

Recipe Tips

  • This recipe does have a LONG cooking time. That is how you get the results, by cooking low and slow. In a world of rising energy costs, I know that can be a little off putting to some people. So, we recommend using this recipe as an opportunity to batch cook some cookies and muffins whilst the oven is already on.
  • You could swap the potato topping for mashed potato if you prefer. You could add some cauliflower in to the mashed potato for some hidden vegetables.
  • To make this gluten free, make sure you use gluten free flour and breadcrumbs.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 548kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 607mg | Potassium: 1210mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 549IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 5mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. MaryAnn Coy says

    December 04, 2024 at 11:17 pm

    A lot of work for a so called breakfast pie. As this email was labelled. Might use it for dinner on a day off. But definitely too much work for a work night dinner. The filling could be made into festive bars the crockpot, then dumped into a casserole with the topping or mashed potatoes added to the top, then finish in the oven. But still very time consuming, although energy saving.

    Reply
    • Dannii Martin says

      December 18, 2024 at 10:46 am

      Apologies, the email was labels incorrectly, as it was a template from a previous recipe. There is no reason why you couldn't eat it for breakfast. It says it right there in the recipe card that it takes 3 hours to cook. We all have different time available and I have lots of recipes until 15 minutes on the website if that suits you more.

      Reply
  2. Diana Reis says

    June 16, 2022 at 12:19 am

    5 stars
    This is so delicious. I love the tender chunks of beef and the sliced potato topping.

    Reply
  3. Carrie Robinson says

    June 15, 2022 at 11:11 pm

    5 stars
    This is definitely my kind of comfort food! :) I need to add this to my weekly dinner plan asap.

    Reply
  4. Anita says

    June 15, 2022 at 9:34 pm

    5 stars
    It looks so delicious and so comforting. I love a good cottage pie, so this Cumberland pie is definitely going to be a new favorite.

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    June 15, 2022 at 8:44 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! This is comfort in a dish! Will be on repeat this fall!

    Reply
  6. Jess says

    June 15, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    5 stars
    Total comfort food right here!

    Reply
  7. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    June 15, 2022 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    It looks so delicious and easy! This is such an easy and delicious recipe, I cannot wait to make it again!

    Reply
  8. Claudia Lamascolo says

    June 15, 2022 at 3:17 pm

    5 stars
    I am a huge beef and gravy fan! This is perfect cant wait to make it this weekend

    Reply
  9. Nic says

    June 15, 2022 at 3:08 pm

    5 stars
    This was so delicious with it's warm beef and potatoes and cheesiness. We had a cold front move in and this was calling my name! It's delicious and I believe it will be calling my name again in the future!

    Reply
  10. Dana says

    June 15, 2022 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    This is so incredibly cozy! So much stick-to-your-rib goodness here.

    Reply
4.93 from 14 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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