There are few foods more distinctly British than the pork pie. For generations, this glorious, hearty snack hailing from the north of England has been the centre piece of picnics and the star of the buffet thanks to its perfect flavour, size and texture combination.

What is a Pork Pie?

A pork pie is a classic combination of seasoned pork, meat jelly and savoury pastry; simple yet delicious! It is a popular handheld snack usually seen at a party buffet or as part of a picnic spread, as it is best enjoyed cold and is perfectly enjoyable by itself - a true show stopper!

Get to Know Your Pork Pies

There are typically two types of traditional pork pies, and here at Jolly Posh Foods, we’ve perfected both.

When our founder, proud Yorkshireman Nick Spencer, moved to the States, one of the things he missed the most was a proper British pork pie. Determined to bring a true taste of home to America, he spent years perfecting his recipe to create the Jolly Posh Foods pork pie, with the perfect balance of meat, pastry and (most importantly) the jelly.

Our pork pies were born out of a desire for (and a lack of) authentic British food that the US market was missing. Nick’s perseverance, expertise and innovation have allowed us to bring a true taste of British heritage to the US through our unique bake-at-home pork pies. 

The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie

The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is arguably the most famous of all pork pies. As the name suggests, these pies originate from a small market town called Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England, which is also home to Stilton cheese! A traditional Melton Mowbray Pork Pie includes;

• Pork: Made with uncured pork, which gives the filling a pale, fresh and natural cooked pork flavour.

• Seasoning: Heavily seasoned with white pepper, which is essential to create its distinctive savoury taste.

Traditional Cured Pork Pie

Also known as the Yorkshire Pork Pie, the Traditional Cured Pork Pie offers a bolder, saltier flavour that many consider the classic deli-style pork pie. This traditional British pork pie includes;

• Pork: Made with cured pork, meaning the meat is slightly preserved before cooking.

• Flavour: This curing process results in a saltier, more robust and ham like flavour.

• Texture: The cured meat tends to hold its shape well, resulting in a firm consistent texture. 

Pork Pie Jelly; What is it?

One thing that makes a pork pie different to other pies and pasties is the jelly. Between the meat filling and the pastry wall is a unique jelly, but what exactly is it? The pork pie jelly is an essential and traditional component of any pork pie. It is a savoury, clear layer of gelatinised meat stock, often referred to as aspic, found between the pastry crust and the pork filling. It is typically made from a stock created by simmering pork bones, which form gelatin when cooled.

Historically, the jelly was there to help preserve the meat. During the baking process, the pork meat filling shrinks, leaving a gap between the meat and the pastry crust, which would allow air in, which would spoil the meat quite quickly. 

Not only is it a practical addition, but the pork pie jelly also adds a layer of moisture that is needed when cooking pork, a typically dry meat. 

Our pies are sold in a ready-to-bake format, so the gelatin is provided separately for you to add in as much or as little as you like  

The Proper Way to Serve a British Pork Pie

To get the most out of your pork pie, we recommend serving the pie cooled to keep the pastry crisp and the jelly firm.

Pork pies are typically eaten either by themselves as a snack or as part of a larger selection of British finger foods (also known online as “picky bits”). They are an essential component of a British picnic, party buffet or Ploughman’s Lunch. 

When it comes to what to serve with your British pork pie, we recommend keeping things traditional with a side of English mustard or a tangy pickled onion or a classic chutney.  Pork pies are best served with a sharp accompaniment to help cut through the rich taste and texture of the pie.

Jolly Posh Foods Pork Pies: Authentic & Ready to Bake

At Jolly Posh Foods, we don’t just import British-style food; we deliver the real deal. Our pork pies are crafted using authentic recipes, ensuring every bite is a true, traditional experience.

What truly sets our pies apart is our commitment to freshness and quality. Unlike many pre-cooked products that travel for weeks, our pies are shipped to you unbaked, allowing you to create the magic of a fresh, homemade-quality pie with a golden crust and the perfect texture right in your own oven; a high-quality snack with minimal effort! Let the aroma of the freshly baked fill your home and transport you back home - it's the most luxurious and convenient way to enjoy a true British classic!

Order your pork pies today, ready to enjoy a taste of the UK in the US. 

Does baking a pork pie from frozen at home produce a better result than defrosting a pre-cooked one?

Yes. Everytime.

You might wonder why we don't prebake the pork pies ourselves and send them to you frozen, ready to defrost and eat straight away. The answer is simple:  a baked, then frozen, then defrosted pork pie is just not as tasty as a freshly baked one. With a pre-baked pork pie, the pastry softens and collapses, losing that crisp texture,  and the filling loses the tight, seasoned character that makes a great pork pie great. Our pork pies are perfect every time. Don’t just take our word for it, hundreds of verified reviews agree! 

How do I cook my Jolly Posh Pork Pie?

Here’s a link to our cooking instructions - How To Bake Our Pork Pies.