What meat is in shepherd's pie?
Quick answer
A classic shepherd’s pie is made with minced (ground) lamb, cooked with onions, carrots and gravy, and topped with mashed potatoes before baking until golden. The name gives a clue: shepherds look after sheep. When the same dish is made with beef, it’s traditionally called cottage pie.
Shepherd’s pie vs cottage pie
| Shepherd’s pie | Cottage pie | |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | Lamb | Beef |
| Topping | Mashed potato | Mashed potato |
| Origin | United Kingdom and Ireland | United Kingdom and Ireland |
In the United States, “shepherd’s pie” is often used for both versions, and many recipes use beef.
The traditional filling
- Minced lamb (originally leftover roast lamb, chopped up)
- Onions and carrots, sometimes peas
- Gravy or stock, often with Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste
- Herbs such as thyme or rosemary
The mashed potato topping is spread over the meat and often roughed up with a fork so the ridges turn crispy in the oven. Some cooks add grated cheese.
A dish born from leftovers
Cottage pie appeared in the late 1700s, when potatoes became an affordable food for poorer families in Britain and Ireland. It was a thrifty way to use up leftover roast meat. The term “shepherd’s pie” became common in the 1800s, and over time it came to mean the lamb version.
Similar dishes around the world
| Dish | Country | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Pâté chinois | Quebec, Canada | Beef, corn and potato layers |
| Hachis Parmentier | France | Named after potato champion Antoine-Augustin Parmentier |
| Escondidinho | Brazil | Topped with mashed cassava |
| Fish pie | UK | Fish in white sauce under potato |
Canada is also famous for another potato dish; see where poutine comes from.
Serving
Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food in British and Irish pubs, often served with green vegetables or peas. For a classic British and Irish side, try homemade bread; see how to make sourdough bread.
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