This is the best shepherd’s pie recipe if you ask me! It always gets rave reviews! Ground lamb is flavoured with Guinness beer and herbs like rosemary and thyme and topped with creamy, dreamy horseradish mashed potatoes to make this super comforting, stick-to-ya-ribs Shepherd’s Pie. Just don’t forget to save some Guinness to drink alongside!
Hello, you guys! Happy Friday! Exciting news! I’ve partnered with some fellow food blogger friends again and we have a delicious round up of St. Patrick’s Day inspired recipes. So you are definitely covered for some pretty awesome eats! You can find all the delicious recipes below so be sure to get your St. Patrick’s Day on and check ’em out!
St. Patrick’s Day is pretty popular around here. A lot of people in the city will venture down to George Street (two blocks long and has the most pubs and bars per capita of any street in North America!!!)??? Though I’ve been to George Street in my day, these days I don’t particularly care to go out on St. Patrick’s Day to all the crowd filled pubs and drink ma face off. No, I’d rather stay in the comfort of home and quietly have a beer in my comfy clothes?But, whatever floats your boat, right??
Newfoundland has a lot of Irish influence. Do you know that the Irish name for Newfoundland is Talamh an Éisc (the land of the fish). Most of the early settlers of Newfoundland were of English and Irish decent. We definitely have a unique accent around here and even within areas of the province, you will find countless dialects. And don’t even get me started on the WICKED fish-n-chips we have ’round here.
How to Make the Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Growing up I ate my fair share of Shepherd’s Pie. We weren’t eating it every single week, but definitely on the regular. It was such a classic meat and potatoes dish, easy to put together and made for a great weeknight dinner. Plus, it is pure yummy comfort food! The traditional version of this recipe uses lamb, but my childhood version always had ground beef. Ground lamb definitely wouldn’t have been as available as it is now, plus had I thought there was lamb in there, I doubt very much my 10 year old self would eat it. Now? Gobble that stuff up?!
Also, my childhood version would have the recipe served in a loaf pan, but my cast iron skillet lovin’ self had to prepare this recipe in that. In my opinion, everything is better in cast iron. Ya can’t beat it!
The recipe is quite simple. Essentially, you just fry the onions, garlic and carrot for a bit and then add the lamb, brown for a while, add some flour (to thicken the sauce) along with beer, reduce, and add frozen peas and corn. Top that with horseradish mash, bake and way to go!
Speaking of mash, let’s talk tatos. These are deadly, you guys. And I think that this is a major component in making this the best shepherd’s pie recipe! I used a ricer to rice the potatoes, then added (warmed) cream, butter and horseradish. Good huh? Mash all that up and top the lamb mixture. I would love to say the idea for horseradish mash was my idea, but it was actually hubby’s. We were at the grocery store and he knew I was planning this dish and came across a good quality product from Ireland. Light bulb moment! You can definitely taste the horseradish in there, but it is definitely not overpowering. These potatoes would be awesome on their own, never mind the lamb. Seriously.
Oh, and another note on those potatoes…..when you are spreading it on top of the meat, don’t smooth it out evenly. You want nice little bumps and valleys cause those are the bits that are gonna get nice and brown in the oven.
Spread the potato to the edge of the cast iron skillet. And when you place it in the oven, put a sheet pan underneath just in case any liquid bubbles out. If any bubbles up around the potatoes, that’s a good thing, in my opinion ’cause it kinda flavours the edge of them and adds a lovely colour.
If you prefer less potatoes on top (but, why?), I suggest cutting the potato portion of the recipe (and it’s components) by about a quarter. You do you, right? The main thing that I would highly suggest is once you take this deliciousness out of the oven, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before devouring it. Let all dem flavours cool a bit.
So, what’s your plan for St. Patrick’s Day? It’s on a Friday this year and I’m sure there will be A LOT of people celebrating and a lot of them wanting, um, comfort (aka hangover food) the next day. Speaking of which, this Shepherd’s Pie is also fantastic leftover.
For me, though, my perfect weekend night would be making something good (like this Shepherd’s Pie), having a beer or glass of vino, curling up on the couch with hubby and furry child and just vegging out?.
Hope you think this is the best shepherd’s pie recipe too 😉 We love it around here!
Have a fun upcoming St. Patrick’s Day everyone? We’ll be up to our usual shenanigans 😀
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon 🙂
~D
P.S. If you missed my last post, you can check it out here.
Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe {with Guinness Lamb and Horseradish Mash}
Ingredients
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- 3-4 large potatoes -peeled and cut into chunks (about 4 cups mashed)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream -warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter -melted
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp good quality horseradish
Shepherd's Pie
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion -minced
- 3 cloves garlic -minced
- 2 carrots -peeled and chopped into little pieces
- 3/4 tsp salt -divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper -divided
- 1 pound ground lamb - or ground beef
- 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 1.5 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary -chopped, plus more for garnish
- 2 tsp fresh thyme -chopped, plus more for garnish
- pinch nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 cup Guinness Beer - or unsalted chicken stock
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
Instructions
Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
- Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
- Using a potato ricer, rice potatoes. To potatoes add cream, butter, salt and horseradish. Mash well. Reserve.
Shepherd's Pie
- In a cast iron pan (I used a 10 inch) over medium low heat add olive oil. Cook onion under translucent, about 5 minutes. To onion add garlic and cook an additional minute.
- To onion/garlic mixture, add carrot and cook 5 minutes. Season with 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper. Add stock and cook about 5 minutes until stock mostly absorbed. Push veggie mixture to one side of pan.
- Add lamb to pan, breaking up into pieces (potato masher works well here). Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Combine with veggies and cook until lamb browned, about 10 minutes.
- To mixture, add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, rosemary, thyme, nutmeg and chili flakes. Stir to combine. From a height, sprinkle flour over lamb, stirring to combine.
- Add beer to lamb and cook 3-5 minutes. Most of the liquid will absorb rather quickly, but you'll still have some moisture there. Add peas and corn and stir to combine.
- Top lamb mixture with reserved mashed potatoes (don't smooth out evenly - you want little bumps and valley's because they will brown nicely in the oven and add some texture). Place pan on baking sheet (to catch any bubbling over just in case) and bake at 375 F for 45 minutes. Garnish with additional rosemary and thyme (optional). Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
To warm heavy cream, place in small pot on stovetop on medium low and heat just until warm...don't boil. Alternatively, you can warm in the microwave on high for 45-60 seconds in microwave safe dish.
This looks AMAZING DAWN!! Just shared to my favorite recipes on Pinterest.
YAY! Thanks so much for the kind comment, Jacqueline! We love it in our home 🙂
This sounds pretty genius! I love that you added the guinness to the meat and the horseradish with the potatoes! I don’t do anything for St Paddy’s day, but I did manage to not get pinched at work (even though I wasn’t wearing green)- so I’ll celebrate that hahaha
I’ve never heard of that pinching thing until lately. Pretty funny! The horseradish mash was my favourite part 🙂 Thanks Sarah!
I am drooling over the edges of this Shepherd’s Pie – that golden brown crispiness! yumm. This is my first ever St. Patrick’s day in Canada and I am soo looking forward to it. Totally gona hit the pubs and try some green beer, Have to try it atleast once right! Cheers 🙂
Thank you, Jenny! Those edges of that horseradish mash is my absolute favourite part! I’m sure you’ll have a super fun time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Plus, it’s on a Friday this year which is always awesome! Enjoy 🙂
We do love Shepherd’s pie at our house and this looks sooo good. Horseradish and lamb are such unique twists 🙂
Thanks you Giselle 🙂 I love those horseradish potatoes!
hot dayamn! Pardon my English – but girl! You upped the ante big time by adding beer to Shepherd’s Pie! I grew up on it too – we had it almost every couple of weeks but my mom never made it with beer nor have I ever tried to. I know well how delicious beer makes chili so I cannot wait to try using some the next time I make Shepherd’s pie again! Btw, stellar round up of hearty Irish dishes you have here!
WOO HOO! Thank you so much, Shashi! So happy you like this one! It didn’t last long around here and I may just make again for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday 🙂 Happy Monday, my friend!!
Shepherd’s Pie is one of J’s favorite (and I’ve got some local farm lamb in the freezer) so I’ll have to make this very soon! We are going out on St Patrick’s Day around 11am (J’s closing the office) so I’ll be out and about but I’ll be home by 6pm and, after I eat my crock pot corned beef, I’ll be going to sleep very early. lol! Cheers my friend and good job Mr B on suggesting horseradish in the mash!
Yay! Hope you guys like it! That definitely was a good idea from Mr. B. It made the pie, in my opinion 🙂 Have fun Friday! 3 day weekend….woot woot! Thanks, my friend! XO
Oh, this looks like the perfect shepherd’s pie! And I love the horseradish mash twist in there. You know I love me some good cold weather comfort food, and I would be quite happy to see this one show up on my countertop! 🙂 I’m with ya on the St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. Back in the day, it would be an all-day (or all weekend) affair, but now I sit back and enjoy the coziness of staying home. But you better believe I’ll have something green on still! I can’t risk getting pinched. And I see your pup is ready for the big day already, too. Haha!
Thanks David! The horseradish mash is my favourite part! Yes, I agree…will definitely be wearing something green or St. Patrick’s day themed on Friday for sure all in the comforts of home 😉 Our pup is quite the little character for sure…hahaha 😀
What a great list of St Patricks Day inspired recipes. My husband has Irish roots – I might surprise him with your Shepherd’s Pie – I am sure he would love the addition of Guiness in it 😉 He loves potatoes, there can never be enough potatoes ever so rather than cutting the portion of potatoes on top I might have to add an extra one especially for him 🙂 Have a great week!
Thanks Miriam! I’m sure you guys will love it…at least I hope so 😉 The horseradish mash are my favourite part. Have a great week too!
Boston has a big, well known Saint Patricks Day parade. And while the house I used to live in was on the parade route, I never actually attended the parade. Something about being around crowds of people who have had way too many pints is unappealing. It sounds like George Street might have a similar vibe.
As for Shepherds Pie. . .can you believe that the first time I had it was in Kenya. . .made by a local tribesmen for the European scientists visiting the conservancy I was volunteering on? Crazy, isn’t it? And come to think of it, that might have been the only time I’ve had shepherds pie. Regardless, your pie looks incredible. I just love those browned edges. Mmmm!
P.S. Did you know your puppy has beer goggles on ? ?
I’m definitely not into big crowds either, Lynn! Not my jam at all! Wow! First time eating shepherd’s pie in Kenya? That is crazy! The crispy edges are of those horseradish mash potatoes are the best! Hahaha! Yeah, that little guy is quite the character 😉 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend and cheers to a great week ahead!
OK, this is ONE GORGEOUS SHEPHERD’S PIE! I could eat this 365 days per year – can you come over and make it for me every day? 🙂 In the meantime, pinned, and have a great St. Pat’s, Dawn! xoxo
Thank you very much, Kate!! I’d totally make this for ya 😉 Appreciate the sweet comment and Pin, my friend! Have a great St. Patrick’s Day too! xoxo
This is so beautiful Dawn!! just perfect! love me some of that pie!
Thank you so much, Gaila 🙂 !!
Love that horseradish! Yum! Will be making this for sure!
Thanks Tessa! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
OMG! Your fur baby is adorable in those silly glasses! I am a huge fan of shepherd’s pie and yours looks perfect! That was such a great light bulb moment you guys had to add horseradish! That crispy edge to the potatoes look absolutely perfect!
He is pretty cute, I must admit, but I am a little biased 🙂 Thanks Rachelle! Crispy edges are always the best!
A feast indeed!! I want a bite of EVERYTHING.
I grew up eating shepherds pie too, but haven’t had it in ages. And I’m absolutely smitten with the idea of horseradish in the mash!!
Me too, Marissa! Me too! The horseradish mash was actually my favourite part. Hope you get a chance to try this one out 🙂 Thanks so much, my friend!
So so good! My mom makes this “Filipinized” version of shepherd’s pie that we love but I think yours is gonna give it serious competition! (Ok don’t tell her I said that). I’ve never had it with ground lamb before and I love lamb dang it! And those mashed potatoes – drool. We’re kind of over the let’s party with all the drunk people on St. Patrick’s Day scene I think…but since it’s our good friend’s birthday on that day we usually do something. No plans yet this year. Maybe a quiet dinner over shepherd’s pie! Aha! 🙂 PS: Love the roundup!
Haha! I bet your mom’s version is amazing 🙂 Quiet dinner to celebrate your friend’s b-day sounds perfect to me! Thanks Jolina! Hope you’re having an awesome weekend!
Oh my gawsh, I need ALL the stick to your ribs, cozy, comforting, DELICIOUS eats I can get my grubby little hands on, Dawn! Naturally I want to drop everything I’m doing and go whip together this shepherds pie, because YUMMMMMMMM! Seriously loving this dish, doll! From the guinness to the lamb, to the HORSERADISH mash! Yes. Yes. YEEESSSS! I’ll take the whole pan. And some snuggles from your adorable fur baby. <3 Cheers! xo
I hear ya, Cheyanne! Comfort food all the time, right? Thanks so much, my friend, and hope things are going well for you! Cheers to a lovely weekend! XO
I love how are recipes are exactly the same but totally different. Haha. I love horseradish with potatoes and I have never had them in mashed potatoes. I am going to have to try it!!
Lol 😀 True! You have to try the horseradish mash. It was my favourite part of this recipe 🙂 Thanks Stephanie!
Ground lamb beats ground beef in shepherd’s pie hands down! All the wonderful flavors of this pie are calling me 🙂 I love the idea of the horseradish in the potato topping… I would love to visit George Street, but I’m with you, I prefer to stay in on these busy holidays. Comfie pants, a beer, and your shepherd’s pie sounds perfect!
I agree Tamara! The horseradish potatoes are my favourite part! And you can’t beat staying in in comfy clothes with good food, can ya? Thanks so much and have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Not only am I a lamb fan but am so happy to see you have it here. So many recipes say Shepherd’s Pie and it’s beef. This is a beauty and I love that you rice the potato, no lumps for that ultimate creamy goodness! Cheers Dawn. P.S. Love the fur baby pic, too!
Yay! Thanks Kevin! So happy you like the recipe! And it’s so fun using that ricer….oh the little things, lol 😀
This looks like a big bowl of comfort!! I love all the flavors you’ve got in here… I bet it’s way better than your standard shepherd’s pie. 🙂 It’s -16C here at the other end of the country right now… this would be perfect.
Thanks Natasha! It’s quite cold here today with the wind chill. Bring on spring, right? Hope you have an awesome weekend!
A beer at home in comfy clothes is what I’m talking about!! Especially if I can also enjoy these mashies you made for the Guinness flavored lamb Shepherd’s pie. Yum! Def a recipe to keep and share. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Right? Can’t beat it, can ya? Nothing like relaxing at home with good eats. Thanks so much, Milena. Hope you get to try this one soon 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Those crispy edges on the potatoes are making me drool! And I love the horseradish and lamb additions! That makes this even better. Shepard’s Pie is a dish I never grew up with and I’ve only ever tried it at restaurants. I’m going to have to change that though, because this is really making me hungry!
Oh my goodness, my stomach is growling just looking at this. It looks like comfort food at its best and perfect for today since it’s snowing. Love it!
Definitely perfect for snowy, cold weather! Thanks so much, Karen 🙂
You are so creative with giving your touch to this classic. Do you know I have never tried a shepherd’s pie? My kids love al those elements separately, but I have never put it together. This has inspired me, and I love how you snuck in the lamb. SMARRRT for us moms out there to get your kids to try new flavors without even knowing it. Genius.
Thank you so much, Cindy! You have got to give this one a try…I’m sure you and the kids will love it….at least I hope so 😉 Have a great weekend!
We grew up eating shepherd’s pie, too, but I can tell you it never looked like this! Like my mom, I make mine with ground beef, corn and potatoes – as you can see, super super simple! Yours is the Rolls Royce of shepherd’s pie!! Loving the depth of flavor and crispy top! I’ll take a very large bowl please! Love sharing in this holiday with you! Have a beautiful weekend, my friend! XOXO
Sometimes simple is the best, isn’t it? I bet it was delicious! You’re too kind, Annie! Seriously! Large bowl coming right up, my friend! This was so fun doing this round up and looking forward to doing the next one with ya 😉 Have a lovely weekend too! XOXO
I never do a whole lot on St. Patrick’s Day……except wear green! I think I need to start making some new traditions starting with this love shepherds pie! It looks delicious!!!
Thank you Kathy! Ours is pretty low key too….maybe a funny shirt or socks and definitely a beer 😉
A huge thumbs up to this. The lamb (I actually loved it as a kid, weird right?) is my favorite and paired with those horseradish mashers….delish! So fun celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with you. Wish I was eating this straight out of the skillet on your couch with a glass of wine. Cheers!
Thank you Cathy!! This was definitely fun and can’t wait to do another one…wouldn’t miss it 😉 Happy Friday, my friend!
First, this is an absolutely perfect Shepherd’s Pie! My husband could literally eat this every night of the week 🙂 Definitely going to surprise him with this one! Secondly, I had no idea you were in Newfoundland!! When I saw your reference to George St. it took me right back there. We visited a few years ago and drove all over the place. Loved every corner of it. And of course, as a big curling fan, I’m enjoying the Brier right now from your fine city 🙂
Thank you Jennifer!! Yes, from Newfoundland! Glad you liked your visit….hopefully you’ll get a chance to visit again one day 🙂 It’s cold here now, but we have 2 nice weeks of warm weather in July, lol 😀 Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the curling 😉
Wow Dawn! This has to be one of the prettiest Shepherd’s Pies ever! I am totally drooling over the horseradish mashed potato topping! My husband Tom is a big shepherd’s pie fan, so I make it quite often, but I need to try your version with those tatos on top! YUM! Love your fur buddy pic! Ha!
Awwww….thank you so much, Mary Ann!! The horseradish mash was so good and probably my favourite part 🙂 Hope you and your husband love it. Thanks so much for the kind words! XO
I feel like St. Patrick’s Day gets more and more popular has the years go on. It’s all about the green beer and corned beef, right? And lots of shepherds pie, too! This sounds delicious, Dawn! I love that you paired this with horseradish potatoes. My husband would go crazy over those! What a fun way to celebrate the holiday, with a beer in hand, of course! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
I know, doesn’t it? Thank you Gayle! The horseradish mash was actually my favourite part! Have a wonderful weekend too 🙂