Louisiana has no shortage of foods that tell you exactly where they came from. Gumbo, jambalaya, boudin, crawfish étouffée and plenty of others are closely tied to the state’s food culture.
Then there’s the Natchitoches meat pie.
A Natchitoches meat pie is a savory, hand-held pastry traditionally filled with seasoned meat and fried until the outside is crisp and golden. Named after Natchitoches, Louisiana, these meat pies have become one of the state’s distinctive regional foods.
If you’ve never had one, think less “dessert pie” and more crispy pastry wrapped around a rich, seasoned Louisiana meat filling.
Here’s what makes them special.
What Is a Natchitoches Meat Pie?
The traditional Natchitoches meat pie consists of a seasoned meat filling enclosed inside a half-moon-shaped pastry.
The filling commonly includes ground beef and pork along with onions, peppers, garlic, and seasonings, although recipes vary.
The pastry is folded over the filling and sealed around the edges before cooking.
What comes out is easy to eat by hand: crisp pastry on the outside with warm, savory meat filling inside.
That’s part of the appeal. You don’t need a plate full of sides or an elaborate setup to enjoy one.
Why Is It Called a Natchitoches Meat Pie?
The name comes from Natchitoches, Louisiana, one of the state’s oldest communities.
Meat pies have a long history in the area and became closely associated with the city and surrounding region.
Today, the Natchitoches meat pie is recognized well beyond its hometown and has become part of the larger Louisiana food tradition.
If you’re unfamiliar with the pronunciation, Natchitoches is generally pronounced something like “NACK-uh-tish.”
So yes, the name looks considerably harder to say than it actually is.
What’s Inside a Natchitoches Meat Pie?
Recipes differ, but the filling is traditionally meat-forward. Common ingredients include:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Garlic
- Seasonings
Those ingredients are cooked together before being enclosed in pastry.
Like boudin, sausage, gumbo, and other Louisiana staples, the exact seasoning matters. Two meat pies can contain similar ingredients and still taste noticeably different depending on who made them.
What Does a Natchitoches Meat Pie Taste Like?
Expect something savory, meaty, seasoned, and rich.
The pastry provides a crisp exterior while the filling remains softer and flavorful inside.
The seasonings and vegetables keep it from tasting like plain ground meat wrapped in dough.
And while Louisiana food has a reputation for being spicy, a Natchitoches meat pie doesn’t necessarily need to be extremely hot.
Well-seasoned and spicy aren’t the same thing.
Hot sauce fans can always add more heat at the table.
Natchitoches Meat Pie vs. Empanada: What’s the Difference?
This is an understandable comparison.
Both are hand pies consisting of a savory filling enclosed in pastry, and both can be cooked until crisp.
But Natchitoches meat pies belong to their own Louisiana culinary tradition, with the meat mixture and seasoning reflecting the region’s food culture.
Empanadas encompass a much broader family of dishes found across Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean, and other regions. Their fillings, doughs, shapes, and preparation methods vary enormously.
They may look related on the plate, but the Natchitoches meat pie has its own history and Louisiana identity.
Are Natchitoches Meat Pies Cajun?
You’ll commonly find Natchitoches meat pies grouped with Louisiana and Cajun foods, particularly in specialty meat markets and restaurants.
Their history, however, is specifically connected to Natchitoches and the cultural influences of central and northern Louisiana rather than simply being another version of a South Louisiana Cajun dish.
That’s part of what makes Louisiana food interesting in the first place.
Not every Louisiana specialty comes from exactly the same community or tradition.
How Do You Serve Natchitoches Meat Pies?
One of their biggest advantages is that they’re already portioned for individual eating. You can serve meat pies as:
- An appetizer
- A snack
- Part of lunch or dinner
- Game-day food
- Party food
- Part of a larger Louisiana food spread
They also pair naturally with other Louisiana favorites.
For a party, try putting them out alongside crispy Original Boudin Balls, smoked sausage, cracklins, pistolettes, or other finger foods.
For a meal, add your favorite vegetables, salad, potatoes, or another simple side.
What Sauce Goes With a Natchitoches Meat Pie?
A good meat pie doesn’t necessarily need sauce, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add one.
Louisiana hot sauce is an obvious choice if you want more heat. Mustard and other savory dipping sauces can also work depending on your taste.
The important thing is not to overwhelm the seasoned filling.
Try the pie by itself first.
Then decide what it needs.
Natchitoches Meat Pies vs. Boudin Balls
They’re both convenient Louisiana foods, but they’re quite different.
Natchitoches meat pies contain seasoned meat enclosed in pastry.
Boudin balls start with boudin filling, traditionally a mixture containing pork, rice, vegetables, and seasonings, which is formed into balls and coated before cooking. If you like an extra kick of melted cheese or seafood, varieties like Pepper Jack Boudin Balls or Seafood Boudin Balls with Pepper Jack take that comfort food profile even further.
The textures are different too.
A meat pie has a noticeable pastry shell surrounding the meat filling, while a boudin ball has a thinner breaded exterior around its soft rice-and-meat centre.
For a party?
There’s absolutely no reason they can’t share the same tray.
Can You Order Natchitoches Meat Pies Online?
You don’t necessarily have to be in Louisiana to enjoy them.
Don’s Specialty Meats offers Natchitoches Meat Pies along with boudin, sausage, cracklins, stuffed meats, and other Louisiana specialties.
That means you can add meat pies to a larger Cajun food order instead of building an entire shipment around one item.
Always follow the storage and preparation directions supplied with your order, particularly when receiving perishable foods by mail.
Shop Natchitoches Meat Pies at Don’s Specialty Meats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Natchitoches meat pie made of?
Traditional versions contain a seasoned meat filling, commonly made with beef and pork along with vegetables such as onions and peppers, enclosed inside pastry. Exact recipes vary by maker.
How do you pronounce Natchitoches?
Natchitoches is commonly pronounced approximately “NACK-uh-tish.”
Are Natchitoches meat pies spicy?
They can be well seasoned without necessarily being very hot. The amount of heat depends on the recipe and seasonings used.
Is a Natchitoches meat pie the same as an empanada?
No. While both are filled hand pies and can look similar, Natchitoches meat pies have their own Louisiana history, traditional filling, and regional identity.
Can you eat a Natchitoches meat pie as a meal?
Absolutely. They’re convenient as appetizers and snacks, but you can also serve meat pies with sides as part of a meal.
Where can I buy Natchitoches meat pies?
They can be found at Louisiana restaurants, markets, and specialty food shops. If you’re local, visit our Scott location or Carencro location. You can also order directly online through our store or reach out via our contact page if you have special order inquiries.
A Louisiana Favorite Worth Trying
Louisiana food goes far beyond any single dish.
The Natchitoches meat pie is a good example: seasoned meat tucked inside pastry and cooked until the outside is crisp, creating something simple enough to eat with your hands but distinctive enough to become part of Louisiana’s food identity.
If your usual Louisiana order stops at boudin and cracklins, add a few meat pies next time.
You might find another favorite.
