Shepherd's pie and cottage pie are classic comfort foods that are healthy and filling. This recipe is not only easy, but also dairy free, making it kosher as well.
Shepherd's pie (ground lamb) or cottage pie (ground beef) is a meat pie topped with mashed potato.
It originated in the United Kingdom, however it is up for debate if it comes from England or Ireland.
Given Ireland's great love for potatoes, I think it’s a safe bet to call it an Irish food. In fact, in Irish this dish is called pióg an aoire.
There are a number of variations to this meat pie, but the defining ingredients are ground red meat cooked in a sauce with onions.
Sometimes other vegetables, such as peas, celery, or carrots are added.
Meat pies have been made since ancient times until today. Since the Ancient Greeks, meat pies were topped with a type of pastry like chicken pot pie.
However, topping meat pies became popular with the British peasants when potatoes were brought over from the New World.
This is because it was a cheap edible crop affordable for the poor.
Due to this, the pie was originally called "cottage pie", implying that it was a peasant food. The name "shepherd's pie" only started being used over 60 years after the term "cottage pie" was coined.
To begin with, shepherd’s pie and cottage pie were used interchangeably.
However, in the 1900's, the term shepherd’s pie became used only if the pie was filled with ground lamb, and cottage pie if it was filled with ground beef.
WHICH TYPE OF OIL TO USE
I use neutral oils like canola oil, safflower oil, and vegetable oil. However, oils with stronger flavors like olive oil to be used.
If using olive oil, I recommend using pure olive oil higher smoking point.
Why Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a great dairy free way to make creamy mashed potatoes. You can skip it if you'd like, or make mashed potatoes your favorite way.
Why Soy Sauce
I am usually a strong advocate for authentic recipes.
I'm not sure how long Worcestershire sauce has been an ingredient in shepherd's pie. I suspect it's been a more recent addition for extra umami (savory flavor), however it is native to England.
Soy sauce, on the other hand, originated in China and is used in Asian cuisine.
So, needless to say, it doesn't belong in a British recipe.
The reason I use it is because Worcestershire sauce is a fish sauce and cannot be added to meat in kosher cooking.
Therefore, since they have very similar flavors, I use soy sauce. Vegan Worcestershire sauce is fine too.
Why a sauté pan
You can technically use a sauce pot or a frying pan. However, I find sauté pans the best because they are sort of a combination between the two.
They are wide and short like a frying pan, which lets the liquids evaporate relatively quickly.
However, unlike a frying pans, it has high straight edges similar to a pot, making for easier mixing.
Make Ahead
After the pie has been put together, but before it is baked, it can be refrigerated for up to a few days or frozen for up to a month.
To bake from frozen, cook at 285°F or 140°C for 1 hr-1 hr 20 mins until hot in the center.
HOW TO STORE MEAT
Once cooled, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. Store for 3 to 4 days.
HOW TO FREEZE MEAT
Freeze leftovers within 3-4 days. Place in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 6 months. After that, it is still safe to eat but the quality begins to degrade.
Other Recipes You May Like:
- Dairy Free Beef Stroganoff
- Dairy Free Biscuits and Gravy
- Sausage Gravy without Milk
- Dairy Free Lasagna
- Meatloaf without Milk
- Dairy Free Meatballs
Dairy Free Shepherd's Pie
This shepherd’s pie (made with lamb) and cottage pie (made with beef) recipe is a dairy free version of the classic comfort foods that are healthy and filling.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2-3 medium carrots, chopped
- 1 pound minced lamb or ground beef (500 grams)
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- Large splash soy sauce or vegan Worcestershire sauce*
- 1 cup beef stock or chicken broth (250 milliliters)
- 2 pounds potato, cut into chunks (900 grams)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
- Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add onion and carrots until tender.
- Turn up the heat and crumble in ground lamb or beef. Brown and remove any excess fat.
- Add tomato paste and splash of soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce) and fry for a few minutes.
- Pour in beef stock or chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and let cook until about half the liquid has evaporated.
- Boil the potatoes for 10-15 minutes until tender. Drain, then mash and mix with mayonnaise.
- Preheat the oven to 320°F or 160°C.
- Put the mince into an oven safe dish. Top with the mash and ruffle with a fork.
- Bake for 20-25 mins until the mince is bubbling through at the edges.
Notes
*Worcestershire is traditionally put in Shepherd's pie. However, it contains fish, and kosher food cannot mix fish and meat. Because this is a kosher site, it requires the Worcestershire sauce to be vegan or to use soy sauce instead.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 447Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 552mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 26g
Cheryl Kasson
Saturday 19th of December 2020
The notes on the recipe say about Worcestershire: "However, it contains fish and kosher food cannot mix fish and meat." However, that is not true. Fish is parve and can be mixed with dairy or meat. It is dairy and meat that cannot be mixed. Otherwise, the recipe looks good, and I will try it.
ElissaBeth
Sunday 20th of December 2020
That is a great question and I'm glad you brought that up since someone who doesn't really understand the restrictions of kosher can easily be confused by this! While fish is parve, it in fact, cannot be mixed with both meat and dairy.
According to Ashkenazic tradition, fish cannot be mixed with meat and shouldn't even be eaten together on the same plate. In fact, observant Jews will either change or wash their eating utensils in between fish and meat so the two don't mix. As far as fish and dairy go, many Sfardim won't eat them together either.
This halacha does not come from the Torah but rather the Gamara, which is why it is primarily known by observant Jews.