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Original poster

M & S Fishermans Pie issue

169 replies

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 19:56

Bought a M & S Fishermans Pie tonight and was really looking forward to it. Got myself all set up, TV, drink and on the couch after a long week. To my utter astonishment there were only pieces of white fish in there. Checked the box and its true, they have only put cod in. So its basically cod, sauce and mash.

To my mind, Fisherman's Pie must contain at least smoked haddock, succulent prawns and chunks of cod all in a nice sauce. So, am i being unreasonable? Must a Fishermans Pie contain more than one type of fish or is this another case of food outlets trying to completely reduce the cost of ingredients and hope we dont notice? I feel conned!

OP posts:
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6
Horrendousfeeling · 13/12/2025 10:21

Tryingtokeepgoing · 12/12/2025 20:07

Is fisherman’s pie the same as fish pie? I agree more than one type of fish is needed, and prawns should also be there, but I don’t really like smoked haddock in a fish pie as it overpowers the more delicate fish. So, no you are not being unreasonable but, for me, for the wrong reasons ☺️

Could not agree more! Give me cod, salmon and prawns! Why ruin it with smoked haddock?

MrsHLQ · 13/12/2025 10:17

Really sorry to hear about this

Sending love

x

OhNoMyLovely · 13/12/2025 10:15

NotMeNoNo · 13/12/2025 10:10

I think that's a traditional fish pie, my mum used to make one with white fish only. (And mushrooms). It wasn't until Jamie Oliver era that I started branching out into mixed fish .

No, traditional is with a mix of fish.

You can buy fish pie mix which is white fish, salmon and smoked haddock.
In the fresh and frozen fish counters in supermarkets.

OhNoMyLovely · 13/12/2025 10:13

You weren't conned.
The packaging says very clearly what is in it.

COD.

If you find a recipe for fish pie there is usually white fish , salmon, smoked haddock and sometimes prawns and yes, hard boiled eggs are classic and often included.

NotMeNoNo · 13/12/2025 10:10

I think that's a traditional fish pie, my mum used to make one with white fish only. (And mushrooms). It wasn't until Jamie Oliver era that I started branching out into mixed fish .

OhNoMyLovely · 13/12/2025 10:10

A quick look suggests you bought the Fisherman's Pie which clearly says on the cardboard packaging that it's cod in a cheese sauce, with mash.

They also do a FISH Pie which has other fish in it.

GlomOfNit · 13/12/2025 10:05

OP is NBU, any higher-end supermarket fish pie needs to have more than one sort of fish in! OP, I make one by buying a (eye-wateringly expensive) pack of 'fish pie' frozen fish from Waitrose which I think has prawns in as well. I thaw it out a bit, poach it in some milk with a bit of saffron in, potatoes are on for the mash, then use the liquid to make a white sauce and add some cheese. Add parsley to the fish and fold fish into sauce, mash and cheese on top, oven hot. It's amazing but a right old faff and stinks the kitchen out, so you can understand why prepared fish pies are really pricy!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 13/12/2025 10:01

If it only has cod in it, why don't they call it Cod Pie? Why drag some poor innocent fisherman (who's been up since before dawn, rocking up and down....up and down.... up and down.... on his trawler) into things?

Why can't they evoke the Name of Cod?

JamesClyman · 13/12/2025 09:55

Nutmuncher · 13/12/2025 09:47

My worst nightmare dinner. Fish pie. I’d rather do a bush tucker trial.

Can I have yours?

JamesClyman · 13/12/2025 09:54

M&S always skimp. If not on ingredients then on portion size.

I suggest Charlie Bingham's fish pie in future. Far superior to M&S's offering.

Nutmuncher · 13/12/2025 09:47

My worst nightmare dinner. Fish pie. I’d rather do a bush tucker trial.

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 13/12/2025 09:31

GeorgeA12 · 13/12/2025 08:24

On a slightly different subject is this the last thing left that has a male gender specific name.....? Surely it should be called Fishing crew members pie 😂

Or Deckie Pie?

(I'm from a former fishing port and trawler deckhands, or crew, were called Deckies!).

Sharptonguedwoman · 13/12/2025 09:28

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:11

Here it is but i got the bigger one

https://www.marksandspencer.com/food/fishermans-pie/p/fdp20001941

Very clearly says cod?

OkWinifred · 13/12/2025 09:19

YABU
You should have read the packaging.

Other supermarkets have the exact same product obviously under their own brand name.

Daisymay8 · 13/12/2025 09:10

i bet it’s because some people have an allergy to prawns or a religious reason for not eating it.
A bit like halal meat which I suspect we are mainly eating now

BrassOlive · 13/12/2025 08:45

Elektra1 · 12/12/2025 20:05

Better check next time then. Or make it yourself. For a ready made one, the Cook or Charlie Bighams ones are nice.

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Charlie's doesn't contain prawn, which is outrageous given the price (does have haddock though)

Somersetbaker · 13/12/2025 08:41

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:26

Yes it states it only contains cod - so in my mind it cant be a Fishermans Pie.

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Maybe the fisherman only caught cod that day, he certainly wouldn't have caught smoked haddock, if he hadn't caught anything it would just be potato. Fisherman's pie - pie made by the fisherman, Fish pie - pie containing fish.

Happyapplesanspears · 13/12/2025 08:39

M&S also sell ocean pie which is the same as fisherman except it just contains haddock. Who knew there was a market for both fisherman’s and ocean pie!

M & S Fishermans Pie issue
Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 13/12/2025 08:24

On a slightly different subject is this the last thing left that has a male gender specific name.....? Surely it should be called Fishing crew members pie 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 13/12/2025 08:20

According to wikipedia, a Fisherman's Pie can also be called a fish pie and contain fresh and smoked fish or seafood. Hard boiled eggs are also a common ingredient.

There was also a royal fish pie made for the king and contained eels and carp!

OP posts:
gogomomo2 · 13/12/2025 08:18

They do a haddock version as well, just haddock, but in the refrigerator section they have a proper fish pie with mixed fish. I do agree it’s odd but there’s no single definition of fisherman pie.

saltrock123 · 13/12/2025 08:12

Yep disappointed with M&S too. Really fancied a fish pie, only to find loads of mash and sauce and a couple of bits of fish. So no more for me. It's a bit of a faff but will make my own in future. Cheaper too if you make more than one and freeze for later.

Sadza · 13/12/2025 08:11

Yes! I had one of these the other night…horrified it was mostly mash.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 13/12/2025 07:56

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:04

Yes but I didnt check, its not a Fishermans Pie for me if its only got one type of fish.

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It's a bit of a problem with a woolly name like 'Fisherman's Pie' as different Fishermen may like different pies.

For example some Fishermen may prefer a beef pie, or a chicken pie or even a pork pie over a fish pie.

It's a bit like 'Catch of the Day', who knows what you're going to be served - recently a Fisherman hauled in an unexploded WW2 bomb and you certainly would have reason to complain if that was plonked on your dinner plate.

BeepBoopBop · 13/12/2025 07:48

I did something stupid once and needed a giant fish pie in a hurry. Iceland - 3 for £10. It was very good. Not luxurious, but decent.