UK's favourite pie unveiled - and winner beats chicken and steak and kidney

03 March 2024 , 08:12

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The UK's most favoured pie flavour is steak and ale (Image: Getty Images)

Steak and ale is the UK's favourite pie, according to a poll.

The beef and beer-filled variety saw off competition from chicken and mushroom, plain steak, and steak and kidney. Other favourites include minced beef and onion, Cornish pasty, and perhaps controversially given its lack of pastry, Shepherd’s pie.

Cheese and onion, chicken and gravy, and fish also made the top 20. The research of 2,000 pie fans also revealed half of respondents believe a savoury pie’s best accompaniment is a dolloping of creamy mash – and two thirds say adding gravy is essential.

Half of Brits say they can't enjoy their pie without a side of creamy mash (Oath Studio)

A spokesperson for Idahoan Perfect Mash, which commissioned the research to celebrate National Pie Week, which starts tomorrow (Monday 4 March), said: “A good pie never fails to satisfy. There’s something incredibly comforting about a steaming hot pie during winter as well as the warmer months, at picnics and football games alike. It comes as no surprise that half the nation shares our love for enjoying a pie with a side of buttery mash.”

The study also found those polled prefer their pies to be savoury rather than sweet (31% vs 12%) – although 58% admit they like them both as much as each other. Cottage pie also cracked the top 10 – as 39% feel the mash-topped effort – along with Shepherd’s – counts as a pie. While 36% also consider a Cornish pasty to fall under the pie umbrella, and 13% even say the same of quiche.

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When it comes to characteristics of a high-quality pie, plenty of filling topped the list (73%) followed by fresh ingredients (35%). But 28% want to see lots of sauce, and the same percentage want a shining golden colour to the crust – which should be made from shortcrust pastry.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found the typical pie-eater chews through three a month, and 59% have attempted to make their own. And they’re not shy of their pie-making prowess either, as four in 10 reckon theirs is just as good – if not better – than pie supremo Paul Hollywood.

The spokesperson for Idahoan Perfect Mash added: “What better excuse to enjoy a warming pie than celebrating the national holiday that is Pie Week. The combination of flaky pastry and hearty fillings is a comforting experience that's hard to resist, and we’re proud to be served alongside any pie."

TOP 20 MOST POPULAR SAVOURY PIES:

1. Steak and ale
2. Chicken and mushroom
3. Steak
4. Steak and kidney
5. Cornish Pasty
6. Cheese and onion
7. Shepherd's
8. Chicken and bacon/ham
9. Cottage
10. Meat and potato
11. Chicken and gravy
12. Chicken and leek
13. Chicken and vegetable
14. Pork
15. Fish
16. Steak and potato
17. Steak and stilton
18. Corned beef
19. Goats cheese and spinach
20. Sausage, cheese, and bean

Sarah Lumley