Authentic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a week away and Ireland is in the sights of many of our esteemed clients for the perfect summer vacation. So, we are regaling you with authentic Irish recipes to enjoy in the comfort of your home.

Speaking of comfort, we are sharing our recipe for an authentic Shepherd’s Pie, the ultimate comfort food. Also, this casserole dish is great for your St. Patrick’s Day party because it is easy to make a large batch ahead of time.

Moreover, lamb is the main ingredient in authentic Shepherd’s Pie because it is literally the sheep herder’s pie. Meanwhile, a similar pie with ground beef is cottage pie, so don’t confuse the two. The potato topping on the latter resembles the shingles on a cottage roof, hence the name.

Authentic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

So, enjoy making this authentic Shepherd’s Pie for St. Patrick’s Day. We also look forward to hearing from you when you’re ready to book a vacation in Ireland. Hopefully, the pie will tide you over until then!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 2 pounds of ground lamb
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
• ½ cup red wine
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or more to taste)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 ¼ cups chicken stock
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Salt & Pepper
• 1 batch of mashed potatoes (see below)
• 4 tablespoons Irish Cheddar, grated
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

METHOD for Authentic Shepherd’s Pie

1. Firstly, sauté onion and carrots in olive oil on low until soft.
2. Turn the heat to high, add the lamb, and quickly brown.
3. Then, add rosemary, thyme, and garlic to the meat mixture. Stir quickly.
4. Add red wine and deglaze.
5. Next, add Worcestershire sauce and tomato puree. Stir.
6. Then, add chicken stock and frozen peas.
7. Simmer for 20 minutes or until liquid but not runny.
8. Next, season with salt and pepper. Add more Worcestershire sauce if necessary.
9. Then, put the filling in a deep pie dish and spread evenly.
10. Scoop or pipe the potatoes on top. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley.
11. Finally, bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.

MASHED POTATOES for Shepherd’s Pie Toppings

Next, here’s the recipe for the best mashed potatoes for your pie toppings.

INGREDIENTS

• 2.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks.
• 4 tablespoons Irish butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 egg yolks
• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

1. Firstly, boil the potatoes until soft. Drain immediately.
2. While the potatoes are still hot, add the butter and mash. Also, we recommend using an electric mixer for a smoother end product.
3. Next, add the cream, and then the egg yolks. Make sure to mix well.  
4. Finally, season with salt and pepper.

Also, make sure to not overcook the potatoes. Hence, they should be fork-tender, not mushy. This will ensure a lighter and fluffier mashed potato topping for your authentic shepherd’s pie.

Jayne Withers and Michael Clifford got this recipe from “Put The Kettle On: Recipes From A British Cafe.” (expected July 2024)