When it comes to pastries, the Brits have got some of the best around. Think comforting winter favourites, food on the go and classic flavours. But which one are you picking, the traditional British pie or the humble pasty?

Are pasties and pies the same?

In short, no. On the surface, pies and pasties are very similar, but if you delve a little deeper, you will spot the differences.  

What is a British Pasty?

A pasty is, in essence, one piece of pastry folded over some filling and baked. Similar to a sausage roll (but also completely different), a pastry is a hand held snack that can be enjoyed warm or cold, by itself and on the go.

Possibly the most famous of the pasties in the world are Cornish pasties, a specific type and flavour of hand pie created within mining communities as an “all-in-one meal”. Cornish miners brought their pasty recipes to Mexico and the USA in the 1800’s, and they were the origin of Mexican empanadas and the (enormous) pasties you can find in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Cornish Pasties in the USA

Here at Jolly Posh Foods, we understand the importance of finding an authentic traditional Cornish Pasty when the craving strikes. We have three iconic flavours available to ship straight to your door right here in the US;

Traditional Cornish Pasty: If you’re looking for home comforts, look no further. The original pasty brings flaky pastry filled with grass-fed beef, diced potatoes, swede and onions.

Cheese and Caramelised Onion Pasty: A favourite for both vegetarians and meat lovers, the humble cheese and onion pasty is a staple of British cuisine. 

Steak and Stilton Pasty: A modern twist on classic flavours, this pasty packs a punch with just the right amount of stilton complimented with grass-fed beef and vegetables.

What is a British Pie?

Pies have more structure than a pasty, with a base, sides and lid for the filling and cooked in a dish or tin. The fillings are richer and include gravy.

British meat pies have been around longer than the pasty, with the first documented British meat pie served in medieval times. They have been enjoyed in taverns, homes and palaces for centuries by commoners and kings alike. Visit the UK as a tourist, and trying a proper Steak and Ale pie in a pub is probably on your bucket list. Both Winston Churchill and George Washington were known to enjoy a Steak and Kidney Pie for their dinner. Today, meat pies are also served at football stadiums across the country, with every region competing with their own unique filling or flavour.  

British Pies in the USA

We have six traditional British pies available for delivery straight to your door, including;

Steak and Ale Pie: A rich, savoury pie filled with chunks of slow-cooked beef and a gravy made with ale.

Steak and Kidney Pie: A traditional British pie containing diced beef and kidney in a thick brown gravy.

Steak and Mushroom Pie: Tender pieces of steak combined with sliced mushrooms in a savoury sauce, all encased in a pastry crust.

Chicken, Bacon and Leek Pie:  A creamy pie featuring shredded chicken, salty bacon, and sweet, sautéed leeks.

Chicken and Mushroom Pie: A classic filling of chicken pieces and mushrooms in a creamy, white sauce.

Chicken Curry Pie:  A fusion pie with a spiced chicken and curry sauce filling, a firm favourite of football/soccer fans in the USA looking for a way to connect to the British football fan stadium experience.

So, who wins? The Pie or Pasty?

Both pies and pasties are icons of British cuisine in their own right, and honestly, declaring a winner feels a little unfair to both. The good news? You don't have to choose. Whether you're a pie person, a Cornish Pasty devotee, or a little bit of both, Jolly Posh Foods has you covered. Browse our full range and get authentic British favourites delivered straight to your door - because why settle for one icon when you can have them all?

But if we HAD to choose, we would say it all comes down to the occasion.

If you're on the move, exploring the great outdoors, enjoying a picnic or just need something satisfying to eat with your hands, the pasty is your best friend. Portable, self-contained and utterly delicious, it was practically designed for life on the go.

But if you're settling in for a proper sit-down meal, nothing beats a good British meat pie. Rich gravy, hearty filling and that golden puff pastry lid - it's the kind of food that makes you feel at home no matter where you are in the world.