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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
HewasH2O · 13/12/2025 07:46

This one & their Ocean Pie are their cheap frozen pies, often bought by little old ladies like my mum. Their proper fish pie is sold fresh with prawns, smoked haddock and cod in 1 or 2 person portions. There is also a frozen Fish Pie and cheaper fresh versions of different fish in sauce. You bought the cheap frozen version which has had this name for many, many years.

Elektra1 · 13/12/2025 07:45

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/12/2025 07:44

Have never found a decent ready made, all incredibly bland. One of the dishes it’s really worth making yourself.

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Completely agree. In fact this thread has made me really fancy one.

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/12/2025 07:44

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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Have never found a decent ready made, all incredibly bland. One of the dishes it’s really worth making yourself.

ArcticGrass · 13/12/2025 07:42

Prawns cook too fast to put in fish pie, and scallops, so they go rubbery. I like cod, smoked haddock but not really salmon. The texture is not right for pie with other fish. Anyway you were swizzled OP.

Owly11 · 13/12/2025 07:40

I think they are skating on the edge of acceptable. Most people would expect at least one other fish or shellfish but i think they can just about get away with calling it fisherman's pie (on a day when there was a poor catch......,) Bastards.

ZanyMaker · 13/12/2025 07:35

What if the were just skinny prawns rather than succulent ones?!

Eggybreadwithnuts · 13/12/2025 07:34

You are right...even salmon I'd expect
Rip off.

ClaireEclair · 13/12/2025 07:32

Oh it’s the gastro one I would buy.

ClaireEclair · 13/12/2025 07:31

I used to buy a fisherman’s pie from M&S and it contained salmon, prawns and white fish. Looks like they changed it. How disappointing. It was lovely.

Andonemorething25 · 13/12/2025 07:21

Gosh some people are sanctimonious aren’t they! I’m sure Op reads the labels on stuff she isn’t sure about.

The cheapo 99p frozen Fisherman's Pie used to be a favourite student food- it was only ever fish in sauce.
I think Fish Pie is the one with different types of fish.

Elektra1 · 13/12/2025 07:04

Evaka · 12/12/2025 21:17

Yeah she read the box when she realised how shit it was. OP is annoyed because product name suggests a mix of fish.

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I’d say “fisherman’s pie” suggests the pie involves fish, not a selection of fish. Always read the label.

Yamamm · 13/12/2025 06:07

I’d prefer that to the gastro one because of the lack of prawns. Prawns are just about the only standard food I’m I dislike. It’s the rubbery witchetty grub thing.
Fish pie in my house has white fish, smoked fish and chopped eggs.

Bjorkdidit · 13/12/2025 06:07

There's no set definition of a 'fisherman's pie' but description on the front of the box and the picture make it clear that it only contains cod so you expecting a mix of fish and seafood is about as reasonable as expecting toad in the hole to contain real toad.

Maggiebell · 13/12/2025 05:28

I made a fish pie the other day with cod and haddock( not smoked ), and prawns. I put boiled egg on top of the sauce because I think its to stop the mash skining into the sauce. Topped with cheese it was nice.
I think M and S take the mick with thier prices all thier desserts are £5 or above , and I never look in thier frozen section as you have to be a millionaire.

Yes you should have more than one fish in a fish or fisherman's pie so even though they put the ingredients, which I never read as you would think it was traditional.
I hope you enjoyed it though, if only because of the price.

LarryIsMyRomanEmpire · 13/12/2025 00:46

It's not difficult, but it's a faff, I just can't be bothered so I buy it.

Franpie · 13/12/2025 00:10

Fish pie is so easy I’d never bother buying a ready made one. I seriously can’t cook but even I can manage a fish pie. And you can buy a bag of mixed fish for pies from any fishmongers or supermarket. That way you can be sure you have enough fish and seafood.

Crispynoodle · 13/12/2025 00:06

This is happening across all supermarkets and brands. I love a good chicken pie but many these days have hardly any chicken in them and all of that is brown meat. My New Year’s resolution is for no more ultra processed food freshly made for me from then!

LarryIsMyRomanEmpire · 13/12/2025 00:06

Homemade is much better, but I'm lazy these days!

InterestedDad37 · 12/12/2025 23:28

EuroTour · 12/12/2025 20:02

Did it at least have boiled eggs?

I often make my own fish pie (very nice, if I say so myself) and yes, I always put boiled eggs in. (And usually 3 types of fish cod, haddock, salmon)

AmateurDad · 12/12/2025 23:15

HomeStress · 12/12/2025 20:08

Personally I’d expect a fish pie to have the usual 2/3 types of fish plus prawns.The use of the term Fishermen’s pie would make me think it might have different ingredients.

Why?

If a man fishes for a living, and catches only cod, is he not a fisherman?

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 23:08

What's with the boiled eggs in a fisherman's pie.....?

OP posts:
SouthernNights59 · 12/12/2025 22:50

My DM made a glorious fish pie with only one kind of fish. It did have boiled eggs in it however.

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 12/12/2025 22:48

MinnieCauldwell · 12/12/2025 20:17

I used to buy this in the 80s. It contained 2 types of fish and prawns, mash had a crispy cheese crust.

Wasn't that called an Ocean Pie back in the day? I remember it being my mum's favourite and it being a very sad when the realisation dawned M&S had discontinued them!

FurForksSake · 12/12/2025 22:30

The reason there are different fishes is to give variety and balance. Usually salmon, white and smoked.

Viviennemary · 12/12/2025 22:29

I wouldn't eat fishermans pie. However. I would think fisherman's pie contains fish. Like meat pie contains meat. Chicken pie contains chicken. So if it contains fish I dont see the issue.

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