Vegan shepherd's pie | Vegetables recipes | Jamie Oliver (2024)

FAQs

Why does my shepherd's pie taste bland? ›

Seasoning sounds like your first problem.. add more salt and pepper to your filling and make sure your mash is also nicely seasoned. Add cheese to the mash, a mature cheddar perhaps. Add fresh thyme or bay leaf to your filling or even a splash more stock or wine, a spoon of smooth mustard or a skinless chopped tomato.

Tips to prevent the mashed potato topping from becoming soggy during baking: Ensure the filling is not too watery. Make sure to cook the liquid down before transferring the meat mixture to the casserole dish. Cool the filling before adding the mashed potatoes.

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

This Vegan Shepherd's Pie is inspired by the original cottage pie. It's made with a lentil, mushroom, and vegetable filling, then topped with buttery vegan mashed potatoes. Gluten-free option, Oil-Free option, Make-Ahead option. Make this Recipe with Me!

You can swap the beef broth for chicken broth if you prefer. For an Irish shepherd's pie, swap the beef broth for Guinness. Worcestershire Sauce. Adds wonderful umami flavor.

Flour: All-purpose flour will thicken the beef gravy. Ketchup: Ketchup will add a little tang to the ground beef mixture. Beef Broth: Beef broth creates a gravy-like consistency in the middle. Cheese: Top the shepherd's pie with extra Cheddar for a cheesy finish.

Why is my Shepherd's Pie soupy? If your casserole is too runny, chances are you either didn't add enough flour to thicken the gravy or you didn't simmer it long enough to reduce the liquid. Also, make sure your potatoes are thoroughly drained before making the mashed potatoes, so the topping is not too sloppy.

Temperature to Make Shepherd's Pie

For those looking for a little more precision, you can check the inside temperature using something like a ThermPro Meat Thermometer; the ideal temperature is 165 degrees.

This traditional shepherd's pie recipe is made with a mixture of lamb and sirloin, lots of veggies, and a creamy, cheesy mashed potato topping ⁠— sure to delight everyone at the table!

It's easy to substitute cornstarch for flour when your recipe calls for a thickener (as in gravy, sauce, or pie) or a coating for fried foods. Whether you don't have flour on hand or are looking for gluten-free alternatives, cornstarch has a similar effect in these cooking applications.

How do you thicken shepherd's pie without cornstarch? ›

Kitchen Tools and Ingredients you'll need for Shepherd's Pie

Arrowroot Powder – If you're following the Paleo Diet then Arrowroot Powder is a great alternative to using cornstarch to thicken gravies and sauces.

Ingredients: Beef and/or veal, vegetable sauce (water, onion, green peas, corn, seasoning [sugars [glucose solids, dextrose, maltodextrin], flour, modified cornstarch, canola oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, dehydrated vegetables, [ tomato, onion, beet, garlic], modified cellulose, beef extract, disodium guanylate, ...

shepherd's pie, dish of British Isles origin that makes use of vegetables and chopped meat cooked in a casserole topped with or surrounded by mashed potatoes.

Most workers ate their meat, potatoes and corn separately but workers of mainly Asian origins, combined their rations to create shepherd's pie, a more communal dish. The French-Canadian railway workers liked this new concoction, adopted the dish, and called it “pâté chinois”, which loosely translates to Chinese pie.

Even a quick marinade or dry rub can make a difference, so toss your meat, fish, or veggie in something flavorful, like olive oil and lemon juice, some mustard and herbs, or just a sprinkle of garlic and chile powder.

Flat or bland sauce likely needs a hit of something acidic to lift and enhance its flavors, such as a small splash of high-quality, flavorful vinegar, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a few drops of not-too-fiery hot sauce.

You see, without a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, your chicken is basically destined for blandness. After you've pulled your chicken out of its marinade (or even if you're not using a marinade), always sprinkle all sides of the breast with salt and pepper.