Northern Michigan Pasties

A pasty is a hand pie filled with meat and vegetables, usually beef, potatoes, onion, and rutabaga. It is more closely tied to the Upper Peninsula, but it is widely recognized as an “Up North” Michigan comfort food. Michigan’s pasty tradition is commonly traced to Cornish miners who brought the dish to Michigan mining communities in the 1800s. (A Healthier Michigan)

For a Grand Traverse family gathering, pasties work great because you can make a big batch ahead of time, serve them warm, and everyone gets their own hearty portion.

Family-style pasty idea

Filling

• Ground beef or diced beef

• Diced potatoes

• Diced rutabaga

• Onion

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

• A little butter inside each pasty

Crust

• Pie dough or homemade pastry dough

Bake until golden, then serve with:

• Brown gravy

• Ketchup, for the traditional Michigan debate

• Pickles or coleslaw

• A simple salad

For a Cherry Buzz-style local spin, call it:

Grand Traverse Family Pasties
“An Up North comfort-food classic, packed with beef, potatoes, rutabaga, and onion, baked into a golden hand pie made for passing around the family table.”