Diced and Spiced Aussie Lamb Hand Pies

In paid partnership with True Aussie Beef and Lamb

Comforting! Flaky! Delish! Easy Peasy Potato & Peas Aussie Lamb Hand Pies are super easy thanks to the help from frozen pie shells and the ease in making Make Once Serve Twice Spiced Aussie Lamb!

Make Once Serve Twice Spiced Aussie Lamb is delicious on top of a healthy side dish as shown on my blog post for: Family-Style Aussie Spiced Lamb on Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf. OR my fave, transforming last nights Family-Style dish and tucking it into flaky flavorful Aussie Lamb Pies! HuNgRy NoW! I simply microwaved some peas, carrots, and potatoes to add to the spiced lamb mixture to elevate the flavor and texture of the hand pies. #OhYum

Of course, ground Aussie lamb is great substitute for minced leg of lamb, if that is what you have in your freezer. Check out below just how quick and easy it is to mince your own lamb, from a butterflied leg of lamb, in a food processor. I will definitely mince lamb this way again because it is economical and I like that minced lamb has more texture than ground.

The spices I use in this recipe are similar to taco seasoning with the addition of heart healthy turmeric and garam masala. If you only have a Mexican spice blend on hand or an All-Purpose Spice blend fill free to substitute the recipes spices with what is in your pantry. Your goal in this recipe is to spice minced lamb to your palate, add whatever vegetables you have available, and tuck it into a frozen pie shell! Crave-able!

If you don’t have a frozen pie crust, of course you can make your own, or the diced & spiced lamb recipe below can served on top of any healthy side-dish:

Quinoa

Cauliflower Rice

Instant Pot Brown Rice

Canned Beans

Cornbread Toppingg

Stir-fry Veggie Medley

Steamed Veggie Medley

Salad

DICED & SPICED LAMB

NOTE: The recipe below will make 2 family dinners as noted above. One package of frozen dough will make 4 (5-inch) large lamb hand pies. There will be enough lamb filling for more hand pies so use additional frozen pie crusts or tuck filling into flour tortillas with cheese for delicious burritos. The hand pies and the burritos can be frozen before baking to reheat!

INGREDIENTS

1 (3-pound) Aussie Butterflied Leg of Lamb, minced in food processor

1 tablespoon cooking oil, canola, olive, coconut, or grapeseed

1 large chopped onion, yellow or white

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon garam masala (optional)

1/2 tablespoon granulated garlic

1/2 tablespoon mild chili powder

1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika powder (optional)

1/2 tablespoon turmeric (optional)

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 (15 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, drain and reserve juice, as instructed

1 tablespoon apple vinegar, white vinegar, or lime juice

METHOD

For Spiced Lamb: Cut leg of lamb into chunks. Sprinkle all of the spices and salt over lamb chunks. In batches, place lamb chunks into food processor bowl and pulse until diced. Alternative: Dice by hand.

In a large skillet, on medium-high, heat cooking oil. Add onions and cook, stirring often, 4 minutes.

Add diced and spiced lamb, and cook on medium-high, stirring often, 4-5 minutes.

Add tomatoes and green chilies, and simmer, 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar or lime juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Divide spiced lamb into two equal portions. Reserve half of the spiced lamb for hand pies or an alternative healthy side-dish (see options above).

EASY PEASY POTATO & PEAS AUSSIE LAMB HAND PIES

Ingredients

2-3 potatoes, about 1/4-inch cubes or frozen O’Brien potatoes

1/2 cup chopped carrots, or frozen carrots

1/2 cup or desired amount frozen peas

2 tablespoons parsley or cilantro, optional

1 pkg (2-count) frozen pie shells, thawed

1 egg, whisk with 1 tablespoon water

METHOD

Heat oven to 400°F.

Combine cubed potatoes and carrots in a micro-safe bowl, drizzle with 2 tablespoons water, cover, and cook on high to steam for 4 minutes or until softened. Drain.

Cook frozen peas in microwave as instructed on package, and drain.

Combine spiced lamb and vegetables. Season to taste.

Sprinkle work surface with flour, and unroll pie crusts, pinching together any cracks. Brush egg wash about 2-inches around outer edge.

With a pizza cutter or knife cut each pie crust into quarters, making 8 wedges total. Top 4 of the wedges with 1/2 cup lamb filling. Place the remaining dough wedges over the top and gently stretch to seal. With fork, press edges to seal. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves: 4 large hand pies

Note: There will be enough Aussie Lamb filling for additional hand pies or burritos.