Nutrition Diet: How many carbs are in a medium pork pie?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

The average medium pork pie contains between 20g and 30g of carbohydrates per 100g, but this can vary significantly depending on the brand and size. For anyone monitoring their macronutrient intake, understanding exactly how many carbs are in a medium pork pie is crucial for balancing a nutrition-focused diet.

Quick Summary

The carbohydrate content of a medium pork pie depends on brand, size, and recipe, primarily influenced by the hot water crust pastry. A detailed analysis of nutritional values per 100g reveals significant variations in carbs, calories, and fats. It's possible to enjoy pork pies in moderation by considering serving size, brand differences, and low-carb alternative recipes.

Key Points

Carb Range: A medium pork pie typically contains 20-30g of carbs per 100g, but this depends heavily on the brand and size.
Main Carb Source: The carbohydrates in a pork pie come primarily from the hot water crust pastry, which is made with wheat flour.
Size Varies: The term 'medium' is not standard, leading to significant differences in total carbs per pie. Always check the packaging.
Diet Strategy: To enjoy pork pie on a balanced diet, practice portion control and pair it with low-carb foods like a fresh salad.
Low-Carb Options: For strict diets, homemade pork pies can be made with low-carb flours like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for the crust.
Calorie Density: Pork pies are also high in fat and calories, so moderating intake is key for overall dietary goals.

Understanding the Macronutrient Profile of a Pork Pie

At its core, a traditional pork pie consists of two main components: the seasoned pork filling and the hot water crust pastry. The carbohydrate content is almost entirely derived from the pastry, which is made from wheat flour. The filling, which provides protein and fat, typically contributes very little in the way of carbohydrates. This fundamental split is key to understanding the nutritional breakdown and the variations you'll see across different brands and sizes.

The Variability of "Medium"

The term "medium pork pie" is not standardized across manufacturers, which is a major reason for the nutritional differences observed. What one brand calls medium, another might label as a snack-size or individual pie. For instance, a Sainsbury's individual Melton Mowbray pork pie, weighing 145g, lists 28.2g of carbs per 100g, resulting in a total of 40.9g per pie. In contrast, a Wall's medium pork pie of 285g has 25g of carbs per 100g, equating to a whopping 71.25g per pie. A smaller 75g portion from another brand might contain only around 21g of carbs. This disparity makes it essential to always check the nutritional information on the packaging rather than relying on a general assumption.

A Closer Look at Carbohydrate Content

To illustrate the range of carbohydrate levels, here is a comparison of the typical values per 100g for several popular brands, based on data available from various food retailers and nutrition trackers:


Brand	Carbohydrates (per 100g)	Fat (per 100g)	Protein (per 100g)	Calories (per 100g)	Source
Wall's Medium Pork Pie	25g - 27g	24g	9g	357 kcal
Pork Farms Medium Pork Pie	27g	25.5g	8.4g	~372 kcal
M&S British Medium Cured Pork Pie	21.8g	26.4g	10.8g	371 kcal
Sainsbury's Melton Mowbray Pork Pie	28.2g	28.6g	9.3g	410 kcal

Factors Affecting Carb Count

Several factors contribute to the final carb count of a pork pie:

Pastry Thickness: A thicker crust naturally means more flour and thus more carbohydrates. Artisanal or homemade pies often have variable crust-to-filling ratios.
Recipe Ingredients: While flour is the main culprit, some recipes might include other starchy ingredients or sugar in the pastry, affecting the total carb count.
Size: As highlighted earlier, the size of the pie directly correlates with the total carbohydrate intake. A 'medium' pie is not a universal measurement.
Fillings and additions: While the pork filling itself is low in carbs, any additions like jelly or seasonings are generally negligible in their carbohydrate contribution.

How to Enjoy Pork Pie on a Balanced Diet

It is entirely possible to enjoy a pork pie without derailing a healthy diet, but it requires mindful consumption. Here are some strategies:

Practice Portion Control: If you're having a larger pie, consider splitting it into smaller, more manageable portions. A 100g serving is a more realistic snack than an entire large pie.
Balance Your Meal: When a pork pie is on the menu, balance the rest of your meal with low-carb, nutrient-dense foods. Pair it with a large, fresh salad full of green vegetables rather than other starchy sides like chips or bread.
Prioritise Quality: Opt for higher-quality, traditionally-made pies. While the carb content might be similar, the overall quality of ingredients can make it a more satisfying and nutritious choice.
Consider Low-Carb Alternatives: For those following a strict low-carb or ketogenic diet, traditional pork pies are not a viable option. However, creative alternatives exist, often using nut flours or other low-carb binders for the crust. These can satisfy a craving without the carbohydrate load.

Making Your Own Low-Carb Pork Pie

For full control over ingredients and macros, making a homemade low-carb pork pie is an excellent solution. By replacing traditional flour with alternatives, you can drastically reduce the carb count.

Ingredients for a Low-Carb Crust:

Almond flour
Coconut flour
Psyllium husk powder
Xanthan gum (for structure)
Pork rinds (crushed, for a savory texture)

Using a blend of these ingredients can create a surprisingly delicious and functional crust. The filling can remain largely the same, focusing on high-quality minced pork, seasonings, and gelatin to create the classic jelly.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of carbohydrates in a medium pork pie varies widely, from roughly 20g to 30g per 100g, mainly due to the pastry content and size variations across brands. While not a low-carb food, a pork pie can be enjoyed as an occasional treat as part of a balanced diet by practicing portion control and smart meal planning. For those with stricter dietary needs, low-carb versions can be crafted at home using alternative flours to mimic the traditional experience without the high carb load. As with any packaged food, always refer to the specific nutritional information to make an informed choice.

For a deeper dive into the nutritional composition of various foods, including pork products, you can explore public health databases such as the UK's National Diet and Nutrition Survey. This provides a valuable resource for detailed dietary information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary source of carbohydrates in a pork pie is the hot water crust pastry, which is traditionally made from wheat flour. The pork filling itself contains minimal carbohydrates.

For the most accurate carb count, always check the nutritional label on the product's packaging. As the term 'medium' is not standardized, this is the only reliable way to know the exact macro breakdown for that specific brand and size.

No, traditional pork pies are not considered low-carb due to their flour-based pastry. The carb content, typically 20-30g per 100g, makes them unsuitable for strict low-carb or ketogenic diets.

To reduce carbs in a homemade pork pie, you can use alternative flours for the crust, such as almond flour, coconut flour, or even a mix with crushed pork rinds. These substitutes replace the high-carb wheat flour.

The size directly impacts the total carbohydrate content. Since the pastry contains the majority of the carbs, a larger pie will have a higher total carb count, even if the carbs per 100g are similar.

Good low-carb alternatives include meat pies made with a nut-based or fathead dough crust, or simply enjoying the seasoned pork filling wrapped in a low-carb wrap or served with salad.

While pork pies contain a moderate amount of protein, they are also very high in carbs and fat, making them not the most efficient protein source for a high-protein diet. Leaner sources of protein would be more suitable.