Last Updated on January 29, 2026 by Lisa Keys
This rich beef and mushroom pot pie with gruyere cheese is savory comfort food made from scratch. It's perfect for family dinners and meaningful moments at the table. Make it for someone who is grieving.
Gifts for those who are grieving
What is a good gift for one who is grieving? Acknowledgement of how hard it must be for them during the holidays. Just a simple heartfelt statement about how much the person must be missed. It doesn't matter how long the person has been gone. The longing for them to be at the table or searching for the pickle on the tree or exchanging gifts is the same. Finally, just a simple statement and a warm embrace will make a difference. No festive wrapping paper or bow required.
The recognition of a person's grief allows them to relax a bit. It allows people to remove the happy mask and just be themselves. In addition, it releases tension in the jaw and the need to escape to a quiet place where tears can be shed alone. No one wants to be a "Debbie Downer" this time of year, so help release the sorrow and fine the joy. Just a few simple words are all it takes. Trust me.
Happy New Year. I hope so. Out with the old and in with the new. A purge. I usually start by cleaning out my pantry, my fridge and my freezer. A fresh start with a hearty meal to brave the cold weather ahead. This Beef and Mushroom Pot Pie fits the bill.
Here is a French-inspired recipe I created cleaning out all my holiday leftovers. It's a savory pie featuring tender beef, earthy mushrooms and nutty cheese wrapped in a flaky crust.
Makes 4 mini pies
How to make Beef and Mushroom Pot Pie
- Start by making the pastry crust using very cold ingredients and using beef broth in place of water. It's your choice to use butter, lard or beef tallow.
- Chill dough while preparing the filling.
- Next, caramelize the onions in butter and transfer to a bowl.
- In the same skillet, brown the mushrooms, sprinkle with flour and simmer with beef broth and cream making a sauce. Remove from heat. Stir in the cold beef pieces.
- Then, roll out the bottom crust and fit into the pie pan.
- Layer with half the cheese, onions, the meat mixture, remaining cheese and a sprinkle of green onions.
- Finally, roll out top crust and place over filling. Flute the edge, cut steam vents in the top and brush with some heavy cream. Bake until golden brown.
Savory pie dough tips
A great piecrust recipe is crucial to a great pie. The standard is a mix of flour, salt, fat and water, but I usually try and change it up a bit wanting the crust to enhance the filling. Since I am baking a beef pie I change out the water for beef broth. It offers a subtle flavor and golden color change to the crust. I like the flavor very much. Before starting make sure all your ingredients are icy cold to insure that flaky crust. I like to grate my butter or crumble the beef tallow into the flour and salt mixture.
Beef and Mushroom Pot Pie with Gruyere Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 grinds fresh black pepper
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (very cold or frozen) or ¾ cup cold beef tallow
- 6 tablespoons low sodium beef broth cold
- 2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups sliced cremini (baby bella) mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1- cup low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream plus additional for brushing over pies before baking
- 2 cups diced leftover cooked beef steak
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 2 chopped green onions
- finishing salt of your choice I used a hickory smoked version
Instructions
- Whisk flour, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
- Grate butter or crumble beef tallow over the top. Toss it well with a fork insuring the fat gets separated into bits and coated with the dry mixture.
- Add broth, two tablespoons at a time, tossing mixture around with the fork. Using your hands, bring the dough together into a ball. Flatten like a pancake and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 30 minutes which allows the dough to hydrate evenly. Roll out your dough to fit your pie pans.
- In a skillet, cook onions in 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized. Transfer onions to a bowl.
- In same skillet, cook mushrooms in remaining butter until they have released their liquid and brown. Sprinkle with flour, cook 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in broth and cream; bring to a boil. Let mixture reduce until thickened.
- Remove from heat. Stir in beef. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Line Pie plate with pastry.
- Spread half the cheese over bottom of pastry. Top with an even layer of onions. Spoon mushroom-beef mixture evenly over onions. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and green onions.
- Dab a small amount of cold water on bottom crust edge. Cover pie with top crust. Seal and flute edges.
- Brush top of pie lightly with heavy cream and sprinkle with finishing salt. Cut slits in top of pie for steam to escape while baking.
- Bake at 400F for 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling hot.
Marcie says
You are an inspiration! Lisa, you always have pertinent and sweet advise. I hope this New Year brings hope, health, prosperity, family and fun to your life! And many wonderful recipes. XOXO
Lisa says
wishing you many whoosh moments with Harrison <3
Louis Matino (@LouMatino) says
Looks yummy! Happy New Year. 🙂
Lisa says
Come visit and I will bake one up for you to try
Krista says
I love this post! I wish someone would send an anonymous message to everyone that says "please acknowledge Aidan" Suffering through the holidays while everyone pretends that life is normal is tiring. Hence, we now flee the north on Christmas Day to escape the pretending.
To Will and Aidan-whose physical presence is missed beyond words but will remain forever a part of our families' lives and to those that remember and speak of them often to us♥️♥️
Peace and love in the New Year!
Lisa says
Do you think people are afraid to mention their names as if they are going to upset us? I think they are scared. I think they don't want to think about it. This blog is the best I can do to teach the opposite. Say their names. Say their names. Yes, they will always be a part of the family and never forgotten by us. <3
Krista says
I think that most people don't want to mention it because they are afraid for themselves. They can't handle a reaction. Trust me I've learned not to fall prostrate on the floor at mention of his name. I would rather have someone try and fumble instead of ignoring the elephant that's always in the room. Silence is deafening. I find that kids bring it up easily. Then their parents look horrified. I wish I knew the answer. I'd be much happier.
Lisa says
I agree with you. When someone does bring my William up in conversation I tell them how much I appreciate it.I do all I can to make them feel comfortable. I love nothing more than hearing stories about him and I am sure you feel the same about Aidan
Carol says
William is often on my mind, and I know the holidays can be especially trying...putting on a brave face must be exhausting at times. I am thankful for your many "whoosh" moments, I love hearing about them.
PS: this pie looks so yummy, will be trying this one for sure! (think we can make a vegetarian version for Tyler?)
Lisa says
just general advice for those who don't really know how it feels....just a simple mention of the lost person's name can do wonders for those who are especially missing them...you know but not everyone does. As for the pie its easy to go vegetarian by taking out the beef and adding more mushrooms or any cooked veggies. Skip the beef broth in the crust and use water and vegetable broth in the pie
Marion Hart says
So happy I found you again Lisa. Your Blog is good for my soul. Your little Annabelle is stunning. God bless her. Happy New Year! Sent from my iPad
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Lisa says
So happy you are here, too. Happy New Year
Marion Hart says
Going to make this, Lisa! Marion
Sent from my iPhone
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Lisa says
Best compliment is that I have inspired your taste buds enough to want to try one of my recipes. Happy New Year and hope you enjoy it as much as my family did