Guinness Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
This Guinness Shepherds Pie is a hearty and comforting meal, perfect for the whole family! Packed with meat and vegetables and loaded with a super creamy sauce made with Guinness beer, this shepherd’s pie recipe is the perfect meal for St. Patrick’s Day or just about any time you are craving something delicious.
Filled with meat and vegetables and smothered in a rich creamy sauce, this Guinness shepherds pie recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or whenever you desire something tasty. There’s something comforting about a baked meal. Maybe it’s the fact that the house smells delicious while you are baking it, or maybe is that usually, casseroles and pies are baked when the whole family is at home. Whatever the reason, this delicious dish is no exception!
This easy shepherd’s pie is a warm, comforting dish that’s a total crowd favorite! It’s packed with spices and has a lot of flavor. The sauce is super creamy and the veggies give it all the nutritious power, plus a bit of color. And then there’s that cheesy mashed potato crust that’s just to die for!
You can make it for a cozy weeknight dinner, a comforting weekend meal or for festive St. Patrick’s Day party! This is a variation form the original Irish shepherd’s pie as it uses beef instead of lamb. But it’s just as equally delicious, everyone will enjoy it!
How to make Guinness Shepherds Pie
Ingredients needed
You’ll need beef stew meat, olive oil, onions, peas, herbs, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, flour, Guinness beer, mashed potatoes and cheese.
Substitutes
You can swap for ground lamb meat or ground turkey meat. To add more depth of flavor to this delicious dish you can also use some fresh rosemary or dried thyme.
Equipment needed
- Skillet or frying pan
- Baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Potato masher or fork
- Oven
So go grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking!
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and carrots and cook until onions are slightly translucent. Alternatively you can use butter instead of oil for a richer flavor.
- Add beef stew meat and cook until browned. Add some kosher salt and black pepper to taste if needed.
- Stir in the peas, spices, one tablespoon tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and mix until combined (I recommend 1 tbsp but start with one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce first then taste and add one more if needed).
- Pour Guinness beer and cook for 3 minutes or until beer has reduced.
- Sprinkle with flour and pour one cup beef broth. Simmer for 4 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl combine mash potatoes with cream cheese and mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes and cheese.
- Take to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Tip: For a nice crispy top, broil the shepherd’s pie for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end.
How to make mashed potatoes for Guinness shepherds pie
You can use any mashed potato recipe you already know and love, the secret for a wonderful shepherds pie topping is mixing in some cheese to it.
I love to add equal parts of cream cheese and mozzarella cheese. This results in a cheesy, silky mashed potato that bakes to a beautiful golden brown.
Recipe variations
- For a vegetarian option, replace the beef stew meat with crumbled tofu or cooked lentils.
- You can also use ground beef or lamb instead of stew meat for a quicker cooking time.
- Replace the Guinness beer with any dark beer or red wine for a delicious twist on this classic dish.
- Add in additional vegetables such as mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or spinach to enhance the nutrient content and add more flavor to your pie.
What to serve Guinness shepherds pie with
- A simple side salad or steamed vegetables make a great accompaniment to balance out the richness of the pie.
- For a complete Irish feast, serve with some colcannon (a traditional Irish dish made with mashed potatoes and cabbage) and some warm soda bread.
Cooking with Guinness Beer
If you have never cooked or baked with beer before you are probably wondering how it adds up flavor and when to add it to your Shepherd’s pie.
The main difference between a traditional shepherds pie made without beer and the best shepherds pie recipe (made with Guinness) is that the one that has the addition of beer has some smoky, woodsy, chocolate undertone. It’s a delicious addition when you want to give your dish more complexity.
The secret to cooking with beer (or with any liqueur) is adding it to the pan and letting the alcohol reduce. When we do that, we get rid of most of the strong alcohol flavor but keep all the smoky notes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meat filling and mashed potatoes separately and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, assemble the pie and cook as directed.
Can I use instant mashed potatoes instead of making from scratch?
While homemade mashed potatoes are recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use instant mashed potatoes in a pinch.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour and be sure to check the rest of the ingredients for any added gluten. You can also substitute the beer with a gluten-free option.
Storing and reheating shepherds pie
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
If you have plenty leftovers you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw in the fridge before reheating.
More beef recipes you will enjoy:
- Tortellini soup with ground beef
- Farfalle pasta with ground beef
- 6 Ingredients taco soup
- Taco stuffed sweet potatoes
- Philly cheesestake Sloppy Joe’s
- Philly cheesestake grilled cheese
- Ground beef and potato stew
Serving size and nutritional information
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Check the recipe card for more accurate information. To increase or decrease the recipe, simply adjust the serving size on the recipe card.
This delicious Guinness shepherds pie is the ultimate comfort food that will satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul. Whether it’s for a festive occasion or a cozy family dinner, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone.
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Guinness Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 1 Pound beef stew meat
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Onion chopped
- ½ Cup carrot chopped
- 1 Cup peas
- ½ Tsp thyme
- ½ Tsp oregano
- 1 Tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 Tbsp flour
- ¾ Cup Guinness beer
- 1 Cup beef broth
- 2 Cups mashed potatoes
- ½ Cup cream cheese
- ½ Cup mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
- Skillet or frying pan
- Potato masher or fork
- oven
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onions and carrots and cook until onions are slightly translucent.
- Add beef stew meat and cook until browned. Add the peas, spices, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and mix until combined.
- Pour Guinness beer and cook for 3 minutes or until beer has reduced. Sprinkle with flour and pour beef broth. SImmer for 4 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl combine mashed potatoes with cream cheese and mozzarella cheese. Set aside. Transfer beef to a casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes.
- Take to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
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