Why is my shepherd's pie sloppy?

Why is my shepherd's pie runny? Generally, this is caused by using too much stock .

Why is it called shepherds pie?

If it is made with lamb (or mutton, however mutton is rarely sold in England in the modern day) it is usually called "shepherd's pie" ( because a shepherd looks after sheep ) and has a topping of mashed potato, patterned to represent sheep's fleece.

How hot should shepherds pie be?

Stir often to crumble, until cooked through and temperature reaches 160°F on a food thermometer.

How to thicken up shepherd's pie?

How can I thicken my shepherd's pie? This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

How can I make my pie more firm?

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

Why does shepherds pie not have a crust?

Simply put, after making a weekend roast, unused meat was repurposed into a pie using affordable potatoes as a crust . This frugal, albeit clever, meal suggests the name “cottage pie” referred to the consumers of the dish—poor Irish peasants (remember, they lived in cottages).

What is the difference between Irish and British shepherd's pie?

It's called cottage pie in the U.K. because they use beef and in Ireland since the shepherds tend sheep, it's shepherd's pie . No doubt, the English put out an excellent cottage pie, but in Ireland it used to be a delicacy since the Irish couldn't afford beef they repurposed any unused veggies and meat.

What is traditional shepherd's pie made of?

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!

How to tell if shepherd's pie is cooked?

If you are cooking it from the fridge it will take 15-20 minutes longer to heat. To test if it is ready, put a fork in the middle of the pan and touch the fork after you pull it out to feel that the metal is hot (and therefore the meat is hot). I let the pie sit for 10-15 minutes before serving as it.

What to eat shepherd's pie with?

What to Serve With Shepherd's Pie: 20 Delicious Ideas for a Comforting Dinner 01 of 21. Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread. ... 02 of 21. Classic Caesar Salad. ... 03 of 21. Honey Roasted Carrots. ... 04 of 21. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ... 05 of 21. Green Salad. ... 06 of 21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ... 07 of 21. Great Garlic Bread. ... 08 of 21. More items... Feb 7, 2024

How long can you keep shepherd's pie in the fridge before cooking?

You can prepare the entire shepherd's pie up to two days in advance, cover and refrigerate. Add 15 to 20 minutes to the baking time if the casserole goes straight from the refrigerator to the oven.

Why did my pie turn out watery?

Allow your pie to bake for the entire recommended period. People often pull their pie too soon out of fear that it will burn . This leads to runny pie because it prevents the filling from thickening. Check the recommended cooking time, and set a timer. Don't use the brownness of your pie crust to judge if it is done.

How do you make a meat pie without a soggy bottom?

Blind Bake the Crust One of the fool-proof ways to ensure a crisp bottom pie crust is to do what is called blind baking. This simply means that you bake the crust—either fully if you are adding a custard or cream that won't be cooked, or partially if the whole pie needs to bake—before adding the filling.

BBQ Chili Shepherd's Pie + RECIPE VIDEO (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Dinner

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on June 3, 2020

This BBQ Chili Shepherd’s Pie is a fun twist on an old favorite! Classic chili with peas and carrots is topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese — it’s easy to make ahead! Includes how to recipe video

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BBQ Chili Shepherd's Pie + RECIPE VIDEO (2)

One of my favourite ways to create new recipes is to think of classic recipes that we all know and love, and come up with different ways to reinvent them.

I thought about how I incorporated a BBQ chili flavour in this lasagna, and the BBQ, beef and mashed potato thing that was going on in this Twice-Baked Potato Pie(<– an oldie!), and I wanted to incorporate the same flavours in a Shepherd’s Pie (since you know we’re big fans of Shepherd’s Pie!)

BBQ Chili Shepherd's Pie + RECIPE VIDEO (3)

You can pack so many veggies into this dish — you could even add more than what is listed (mushrooms, kale, spinach, etc.), and the BBQ chili flavour masks them completely.

I do this for my own good.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a big fan of vegetables — you will often see me hiding them in my own food.

BBQ Chili Shepherd's Pie + RECIPE VIDEO (4)

But if you combine them with barbecue sauce and top with mashed potatoes and cheese, there’s a pretty good chance I’m going to eat them anyway.My toddler, on the other hand, would pick out the vegetables because she wanted to eat only the veg.

Another thing I love about this dish is that it’s so easy to make ahead: you can prepare everything up to the point of baking, cover it and stick it in the fridge for a day or two until you’re ready for dinner. This is perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining on the weekend when you just want to actually relax with your guests!

Substitutions:

The recipe is naturally gluten free — but be sure to check all of the labels on all of your ingredients to be sure.
The recipe can easily be made vegetarian, if you skip the beef and substitute with mushrooms or additional veggies of your choice.
The recipe can easily be made dairy free if you skip the cheese or use a dairy free cheese option and mash only with vegetable broth or dairy free milk.

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BBQ Chili Shepherd’s Pie

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 2 votes

A new twist on an old favourite — sweet and savory bbq beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese.

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Review

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Main Course

Servings 6 servings

Calories 505cal

Ingredients

For the mashed potatoes

▢ 6 large potatoes diced small
▢ 1/2-3/4 cup milk
▢ 1/4 tsp minced garlic
▢ 1 tsp chicken bouillon

For the beef mixture

▢ 1 lb lean ground beef
▢ 1/2 medium onion
▢ 1 cup very finely diced carrots or shredded
▢ 1 stalk celery very finely diced
▢ 1/2 tsp salt
▢ 1/2 tsp minced garlic
▢ a pinch of pepper
▢ 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
▢ 1 cup frozen peas
▢ 1 cup frozen corn
▢ 546 ml can kidney beans rinsed
▢ 1 cup barbecue sauce
▢ 2-3 tbsp brown sugar optional and to taste
▢ ½ -1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Start potatoes boiling in a large pot of salted water.
Meanwhile, combine beef, onion, carrots, celery, salt, garlic, pepper, chili powder in a large pan and brown over medium-high heat. Once browned, cover and cook over medium heat (stirring occasionally), for 10-15 minutes until veg are cooked.
Drain potatoes and mash with milk, garlic and bouillon (I use the food processor for this so they’re nice and smooth). Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (*if baking right away)
To the beef, add peas, corn kidney beans, barbecue sauce and brown sugar (optional). Cook another 5 minutes until vegetables are warmed through.
To a 3qt casserole dish or a 9×13″ pan, add the beef mixture. Top with mashed potatoes. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Top with cheese and broil 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Notes

*If storing in the fridge and baking later, you may have to bake the casserole 40 minutes to 1 hour until it is hot all the way through. Be sure to cover with an oven-safe lid or tin foil sprayed with non-stick spray.
*Nutrition information is estimated and will vary depending on exact serving size, types and brands of products used.

Nutrition Information

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Meredith Brooks says
February 10, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Hello! I just got this meal all ready for dinner tonight. It looks so good & gluten free! Thanks for posting this recipe. Love from Texas♡
Reply
- Ashley Fehr says
  February 12, 2018 at 10:38 am
  Thanks Meredith! Glad you liked it!
  Reply
Christina Hoffman says
April 4, 2017 at 10:45 pm
How do you think ground turkey would work? Anybody have any ideas!! Anyway I’m going to make it this way because it DOES look super yummy! Thank you!!
Reply
cakespy says
February 24, 2017 at 10:28 am
This is perfect because while I love a classic Shepherd’s pie sometimes it can be a little bland. Way to zing up the flavor!! You rule!
Reply
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
February 20, 2017 at 11:01 am
Love this twist to traditional shepherd’s pie! This would be a hit with my family!
See Also
Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole recipe - The Recipe Rebel
Reply
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
February 20, 2017 at 7:47 am
Oh my gosh, this is going on the dinner menu ASAP! Shepherd’s pie is one of my boyfriend’s favorite dinners and I’m excited to make this BBQ version for him! Such a creative twist, Ashley!
Reply
- Ashley Fehr says
  February 20, 2017 at 2:43 pm
  Oh I hope he loves it! Thanks Sarah!
  Reply
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
February 20, 2017 at 7:11 am
I love recreating dishes too, it’s just so fun that way! You are reminding me that it’s been forever since I’ve had shepherd’s pie, and I’m loving the bbq version! What a fun twist, Ashley!
Reply
- Ashley Fehr says
  February 20, 2017 at 2:42 pm
  Thanks Gayle! I’ll admit, we’re barbecue obsessed! Lol
  Reply
Annie says
February 19, 2017 at 9:23 pm
Hello Monday night dinner! I cannot wait to try this!
Reply
- Ashley Fehr says
  February 20, 2017 at 2:41 pm
  You need to!
  Reply
Emily says
March 11, 2015 at 9:56 am
I made this recipe last night for dinner and I absolutely love it! I highly recommend it 🙂
Reply
- Ashley says
  March 11, 2015 at 1:44 pm
  Thanks Emily!
  Reply
Kirsten says
July 12, 2014 at 6:17 pm
I’m sorry to be picky, but just fyi, shepherd’s pie is actually made with ground lamb. Ground beef is used in cottage pie 🙂
Reply
- Kirsten says
  July 12, 2014 at 6:18 pm
  I am definitely going to try this though, it sounds soooo tasty!!!
  Reply
Rachel says
July 4, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Hi Ashley, this looks amazing!! Just one quick question though. What bbq sauce is it you use?
Reply
- Ashley says
  July 4, 2014 at 2:32 pm
  I like the Kraft brown sugar and Bulls Eye Sweet and Sticky!
  Reply
Ashley Mullen says
July 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Thank you for sharing this! I can’t wait to make it, probably tomorrow. 🙂
Reply
- Ashley says
  July 1, 2014 at 3:44 pm
  No problem! Let me know how you like it 🙂
  Reply
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
June 26, 2014 at 9:23 pm
Love this variation on shepherds pie! It looks delicious- and such a cute serving dish too 🙂
Reply
- Ashley says
  June 27, 2014 at 10:12 am
  Thanks Sherri! I love adding BBQ sauce to pretty much everything!
  Reply
Rona B says
June 26, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Now this Shepard’s Pie looks so good. My husband and son would love this.
Reply
- Ashley says
  June 26, 2014 at 8:05 pm
  Thanks Rona!
  Reply
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
June 25, 2014 at 1:49 pm
Oh Ashley I wish this was going to be on my dinner table when I get home from work today! I love the bbq spin on shepherds pie, and I always need more veg in my life so I’m super happy to see them incorporated. 😀 Pinning!
Reply
- Ashley says
  June 26, 2014 at 6:57 am
  Thanks Jess! I’m always a little short on vegetables :S
  Reply
Matt Robinson says
June 24, 2014 at 11:54 am
This looks soooo good!!
Reply
- Ashley says
  June 24, 2014 at 3:00 pm
  Thanks! Can’t go wrong with meat and potatos 🙂
  Reply

BBQ Chili Shepherd's Pie + RECIPE VIDEO (2024)

BBQ Chili Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

For the mashed potatoes

For the beef mixture

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition Information

Meet Ashley

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