Ulster Pie
You’ve heard of the Ulster Fry, but let me introduce you to Ulster Pie—my own take on a Northern Irish classic. While everyone else is reaching for stew this St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to do something different—something that still celebrates real local ingredients, but in a new and easy one pot way!
This dish takes everything we love about a proper fry—hearty sausages, crisp bacon, rich mushrooms and beans, golden potato bread—and layers it up into one comforting, satisfying bake. It’s simple, packed with flavour, and lets the best local produce shine.
I’ve sourced my ingredients from some of Northern Ireland’s wonderful suppliers local to me:
Slemish Market Garden eggs – rich and golden and fresh from the coop!
Kearney’s of Randalstown mushrooms & beans – the glue that keeps this pie together!!
McErlain’s Bakery potato bread – the essential topping
Apperley’s sausages & bacon – top-quality breakfast cuts
Rowandale creamery – the glass of milk I washed it down with. A meal in itself and total heaven.
So I bet you have your fry supplies in for a hearty st Patrick’s breakfast or if not go get them – and try this fun one dish alternative!!
Ingredients
150g mushrooms, sliced
1 tin (400g) baked beans
2 butchers sausages
2 rashers of butchers bacon
2 potato bread farls, cut to fit the dish
3 eggs
Black pepper, salt, optional Worcestershire sauce
Method
1. Preheat & Prep
Heat oven to 190°C (375°F) fan and grease an ovenproof dish.
2. Mushroom Base
Add sliced mushrooms to the dish, drizzle with oil, season, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
3. Sausage & Bacon Layer
Chop sausages and bacon, scatter them raw over the hot mushrooms.
Pour over the baked beans to coat everything. (Optional: Add Worcestershire sauce.)
4. Potato Bread Topping
Arrange potato bread pieces over the top to cover the filling.
Brush with oil or melted butter for a crisp finish.
5. Bake
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes to crisp the potato bread.
6. Egg Finish
Crack eggs on top and return to the oven for 5-8 minutes, until set but still runny.
7. Serve & Enjoy
Meet Fiona Elizabeth – The Country Lifestyle NI
Fiona is the voice behind The Country Lifestyle NI (@thecountrylifestyleni), where she shares her passion for seasonal, high-quality local produce, traditional methods, and Northern Ireland’s rich food heritage.
Her approach is rooted in a deep appreciation for real home cooking—focusing on flavour, simplicity, and sourcing the best produce to create food that is both satisfying and straightforward. As good food doesn’t need to be complicated— just a little care and a connection to where it comes from.
Through her recipes and ingredient-led approach, she showcases Northern Ireland’s culinary heritage while proving that traditional methods still belong in the modern kitchen.
Follow her on Instagram (@thecountrylifestyleni) for recipes, ingredient inspiration, and insights into why great produce is worth seeking out—whether from a local farm, a trusted butcher, an independent greengrocer, or a quality market stall.
