Beef Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

When we think St. Patrick’s day, we often think about beer, cupcakes, or other treats. However, when we get down to it, we all want a hearty meal to satisfy our Irish hunger that wholeheartedly burns inside.

That’s why we’re making a delicious St. Patrick’s Day beef shepherd’s pie today. Loaded with beef as well as potatoes, just the way you remember it.

So, today we’ll discover how to make Shepherd’s pie, also known as cottage pie, along with who invented it, and where it originated.

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?

Firstly, with so many variations, these days, Shepherd’s pie takes on many forms.

However, generally a traditional recipe would consist of minced lamb or minced mutton, or beef that is cooked with gravy or sauce, onions, and even peas, carrots, and other vegetables.

Finally, it’s also topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes, then baked in the oven. Often times, it will be topped with a layer of cheese to melt on top.

That’s the basics of the traditional recipe.

Is Cottage Pie the Same as Shepherd’s Pie?

The short answer is yes. Cottage pie is the same thing as Shepherd’s pie. In fact, the word cottage used to refer to a home that workers who lived in rural settings would live in. More or less the poor people, who lived on the outskirts of town.

As potatoes are an easy and edible crop to grow, it became known as a poor man’s food. Thus, this dish became known as cottage pie, among other names.

What is more, the main difference between the two is the societal class of people who were eating the pie. While upper-class folks would make this dish with mutton or lamb, lower class and poor people would make this dish with beef. 

Personally, I prefer it with beef!

Who Invented Shepherd’s Pie?

This dinner meal originated in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This meal is well known across Ireland and each place you go will generally make it slightly different.

If you ever have the pleasure of visiting Ireland, go on an Irish Shepherd’s pie tour (self-guided of course, unless that’s really a thing?)

Because they all have a different take on the dish, you’ll want to enjoy Shepherd’s pie a few different times at a few different places.

Each pub makes its own recipe and has a distinct flavor only they can claim as their own.

Without getting too deep into the political aspect, Irelanders couldn’t afford much under British rule and had to make the most of what they had.

As a result, shepherd’s pie was invented by the lower-class as a way to enjoy leftovers.

As potatoes were an easy to grow crop, commoners would use it as the hearty part of their dish. Filling a dish coupled with leftover scraps and topping it with potatoes became an amazing traditional Irish dish.

How To Make Shepherd’s Pie

Traditional shepherd’s pie is relatively easy to make. Additionally, you can find my entire recipe below.

The basic structure consists of meat, vegetables, gravy, as well as mashed potatoes. You will usually first want to make the mashed potatoes.

When the mashed potatoes are almost cooked, you can sautee the beef and prepare the vegetables.

The meat and vegetables will go into a 3-quart dutch oven. The mashed potatoes will simply go on top. 

lastly, bake and serve!

It might look like a complicated dish to make, but truthfully, it’s quite undoubtedly easy to do.

Equipment needed

• Shop Dutch Ovens Here

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• Stuffed Cabbage
• Instant Pot Beef Stew