Guinness Shepherd's Pie | Celebrate St. Patrick's Day! (2024)

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Dinner | Fall | Winter

ByDenay DeGuzmanFebruary 28, 2024February 28, 2024

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This iconic Guinness shepherd’s pie is a satisfying Irish comfort food. A savory filling of tender lean beef and aromatic veggies are crowned with a cozy layer of cheesy mashed potatoes. This soul-warming cottage pie is infused with the robust flavor of Guinness stout beer.

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👩🏻‍🍳 Why this Recipe’s a Keeper

Easy Recipe: It’s simple to make with basic ingredients. Begin prepping this hearty meal on stovetop (about 30 minutes), then bake for 25 minutes.
Rich Flavor: The combination of savory beef, sautéed onion and garlic, aromatic herbs, and frozen mixed veggies – along with Guinness stout beer, creates a classic Shepherd’s pie that’s satisfying and delicious.
Tender and Juicy: Lean beef can sometimes be dry, but cooking it in a Guinness-based sauce helps keep the meat tender and juicy. And while this recipe calls for lean beef, you can easily customize it by using other proteins like lamb or turkey, depending on personal preference.
Comfort Food Appeal: Guinness Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food. Incorporating the Irish pub favorite (Guinness stout) into the cottage pie recipe, adds an extra layer of warmth and coziness, making it perfect for cold-weather days and St. Patrick’s day celebrations.
Crowd-Pleaser: This Irish cottage pie is generally enjoyed by many people, making it a great option for feeding a crowd or for a family dinner.
Make-Ahead Option: Shepherd’s pie can be made ahead of time and reheated, which is convenient for busy schedules or entertaining. And leftovers taste even better the following day, because the flavors have had time to meld together.
Cultural Heritage: Guinness Shepherd’s Pie is a nod to Irish cuisine, making it a great choice for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply embracing Irish traditions.

Expert Tip: For smaller families like 1 or 2 people, you can assemble the Guinness shepherd’s pie in 2 small baking dishes instead of an 8×8 baker. This will make it easier to store 1 of the cottage pies in the fridge or freezer for later.

🛒 Ingredients

For Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Russet Potatoes: Provide the base for the mashed potato layer, offering a creamy texture and mild flavor. These are the ideal potatoes for Guinness shepherd’s pie.
Butter: Adds delicious richness and flavor to the mashed potatoes. Any brand will do, but I prefer Kirkland butter from Costco. For my tastes, it has the best flavor!
Half & Half: Helps achieve a creamy consistency in the mashed potatoes without making them too thin or too thick.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the potatoes.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spiciness, and complements the savory flavors of the dish.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds extra flavor and richness to the mashed potatoes. I prefer Tillamook medium cheddar cheese. I buy a block at Costco and shred it myself.

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For Meat & Veggie Filling

Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing the onions, garlic, and ground beef, providing a base for cooking and adding richness to the dish.
Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the savory layer.
Garlic Cloves: Infuse the dish with a delicious aromatic flavor.
Ground Round: Lean ground beef that serves as the main protein component of the dish.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and seasons the beef and veggies.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complements the other spices and herbs.
All-Purpose Flour: Used as a thickening agent to create a rich gravy-like sauce for the filling.
Tomato Paste: Adds richness, depth, and a touch of sweetness to the savory filling.
Guinness Stout Beer: A key ingredient for this Guinness shepherd’s pie recipe. It adds a deep, rich flavor to the filling, enhancing its complexity and depth.
Beef or Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional flavor to the filling. If desired, feel free to use beef stock or chicken stock instead.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory depth and a delicious umami flavor.
Dried Rosemary: Adds a woody, pine-like flavor and aroma.
Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle earthiness and herbaceous flavor.
Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Adds color, texture, and nutritional value to the filling. I use a mix of carrots, green beans, corn and peas. Note: There’s no need to plan ahead for thawing. You can use the frozen veggies straight from the freezer. They’ll cook through during the baking process. The moisture released as they cook will help contribute to the overall flavor and consistency of the filling.
Fresh Thyme (optional): For garnishing the cottage pie. It adds a pop of freshness and visual appeal to the finished dish.

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Note:If you don’t have Guinness on hand, no problem! In place of the beer, use an extra 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth.

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📖 Recipe Steps

Recipe Prep: Wash and peel the Russet potatoes. Then cut them into evenly-sized chunks. This ensures they will cook uniformly.

Make Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Expert Tip:While the potatoes are boiling, prep the meat and veggie filling. It’ll help this recipe get done very quickly!

Boil the potatoes: Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the potatoes simmer until they are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them well in a colander.
Mash the potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot. Add butter and heavy cream to the pot with the potatoes. Using a potato masher or a hand mixer, mash them until smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the potatoes gummy.
Add cheddar cheese: Once the potatoes are mashed to your desired consistency, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s evenly distributed throughout the mashed potatoes. The residual heat from the potatoes will melt the cheese.
Season: Taste the mashed potatoes and season with salt and pepper according to your preference. Mix until just incorporated. Then set them aside.

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Make Meat & Veggie Filling

Recipe Prep: Adjust oven rack to the center position. This will help to ensure even heat circulation around the cottage pie. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. When the oil flickers in the pan, add the onion. Sauté until golden brown. Add garlic and continue to sauté until fragrant. Add ground round, salt and pepper. Cook until beef is completely brown with no more pink. Sprinkle flour on the meat and fold it into the mixture.
Add tomato paste, Guinness beer, beef broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, and thyme. Stir to combine. Bring the filling to a brief boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid. Let the mixture simmer for about 12 minutes or until the sauce is lightly thickened.
Fold the frozen mixed vegetables into the meat mixture until combined.

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Assemble & Bake Guinness Shepherd’s Pie

Transfer meat filling to an 8 X 8-inch baking dish (or divide the filling between 2 smaller bakers). Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly over the bottom.
With a clean spatula, spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the filling. Make sure the potatoes form a seal around the edges of the dish to help reduce any leakage during baking. Place the dish on a baking tray to catch any overflow.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and transfer to a trivet. Let the shepherd’s pie to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop – resulting in a tastier dish, and the filling can slightly set – making it easier to portion and serve neatly. If desired, garnish with fresh thyme.

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🧑🏼‍🍳 Recipe FAQ

Yes, you can substitute Guinness with another type of stout or dark beer if you prefer. However, keep in mind that the flavor profile may vary slightly depending on the beer you choose.

Absolutely! Many classic Shepherd’s Pie recipes often use lamb, so feel free to use ground lamb if desired. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly as lamb can cook faster than beef.

If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce on hand, you can substitute it with soy sauce or balsamic vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar for a similar depth of flavor.

Yes, you can omit the cheese if desired. The mashed potatoes will still be delicious and creamy without it. Alternatively, you can try using a different type of cheese, such as Parmesan or Gruyère, for a different flavor profile.

Make sure the potatoes are thoroughly drained after boiling to remove excess moisture. Additionally, avoid adding too much liquid (heavy cream) when mashing the potatoes.

🍽 More St. Patrick’s Day Dinners

Dutch Oven Beef Stew
Guinness Corned Beef Sliders
Corned Beef and Cabbage

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Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review from a flavor tester: “The robust flavors of this Guinness shepherd’s pie were incredible. I enjoyed the filling – tender, succulent ground beef in a luscious gravy infused with rich, malty notes of Guinness stout, and hints of garlic, onions, and aromatic herbs.

And then there’s the mashed potato topping—creamy and utterly indulgent. With the right amount of buttery richness and a subtle hint of cheesy goodness, it’s the perfect contrast to the hearty beef filling. The delicious flavors and textures left me craving for seconds.”

If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

Guinness Shepherd’s Pie

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 18 reviews

Author: Denay | Confetti and Bliss
Total Time: 55 Minutes
Yield: 4 Servings 1x

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Description

This Guinness shepherd’s pie features a savory filling of lean ground beef and tender veggies cooked with Guinness stout beer. It’s covered in a creamy layer of cheesy mashed potatoes. An ideal meal for cold-weather days and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

INGREDIENTS FOR MASHED POTATOES

1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into evenly-sliced chunks
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup half & half
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese

INGREDIENTS FOR MEAT FILLING

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
1 1/2 lbs ground round
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1/2 cup Guinness stout beer
1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)
Fresh thyme (optional), for garnishing

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