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    Home > Recipes > Holiday recipes

    Keto Shepherd's Pie

    February 24, 2024 by bobbiskozykitchen Leave a Comment

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Doing so allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you.

    Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Keto Shepherd's Pie recipe! Whether it's a St. Patrick's Day celebration or a cozy family dinner, this dish is sure to impress. Featuring creamy mashed turnips and your choice of lamb or ground beef, it's a low-carb twist on a classic favorite. Dive into layers of savory goodness and enjoy a guilt-free meal packed with flavor!

    Keto Shepherd's Pie in a cast iron skillet fresh out of the oven topped with chopped chives.

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    Irish Comfort Food Revamped: Keto Shepherd's Pie Recipe

    Hey there, fellow foodies! As an Irish American with a deep love for comforting classics, Shepherd's Pie has always held a special place in my heart. But when I transitioned to a low-carb lifestyle, I was faced with the dilemma of bidding farewell to this beloved dish. 😢 However, being the food enthusiast that I am, I embarked on a mission to create a keto-friendly version that would satisfy my cravings without compromising on flavor. And thus, my Keto Shepherd's Pie recipe was born!

    Now, I know there's a bit of debate over whether it should be called Shepherd's Pie (made with lamb) or Cottage Pie (made with beef). But hey, let's not get caught up in technicalities here. Feel free to use whichever meat tickles your taste buds and fits your budget. In my household, we enjoy both variations, with each member having their own favorite. My hubby leans towards the hearty beef version, while I find myself gravitating towards the rich flavors of lamb. 🍖

    As for the topping, I initially experimented with mashed cauliflower, but I found the texture to be a tad too loose for my liking. That's when I discovered the magic of mashed turnips! Not only do they provide a velvety smooth texture reminiscent of traditional mashed potatoes, but they also add a delightful hint of sweetness to the dish. Trust me, my husband was convinced I'd secretly snuck in mashed potatoes. 😄 For those curious souls, mashed rutabaga also works wonders as a substitute.

    This St. Patrick's Day, our dinner table will be adorned with generous servings of this Keto Shepherd's Pie, and I extend a warm invitation for you to join us in this celebration of deliciousness! So grab your aprons, channel your inner Irish spirit, and let's dive into a plateful of comfort food magic together. Sláinte! 🍀

    Remember, whether you're commemorating St. Paddy's Day or simply craving a hearty meal, this Keto Shepherd's Pie is sure to hit the spot. With its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients, it's a dish that's bound to become a cherished favorite in your household too. Cheers to good food and good times!

    🍽️✨ Don't forget to share your delightful creations with us on Instagram using #BobbisKozyKitchen for a chance to be featured in our newsletter! 📸

    In This Post
    • 🥘Keto Shepherd's Pie Ingredients
    • 🔪Keto Shepherd's Pie Instructions
    • SUBSTITUTIONS
    • 🍽Equipment
    • Storage
    • 💭Top tip
    • FAQ about Keto Shepherd's Pie
    • Related Recipes
    • Pairing
    • Keto Shepherd's Pie
    • Food Safely

    🥘Keto Shepherd's Pie Ingredients

    These are the ingredients necessary to make Keto Shepherd's Pie.

    All of the ingredients needed to make keto shepherd's pie on a white counter.
    • Beef Base - This Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base helps infuse a ton of flavor into this recipe.
    • Dry Red Wine - This ingredient helps add a depth of flavor to the recipe as well. I prefer to use wines such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
    • Ground Lamb or Beef - Traditional Shepherd's Pie uses ground lamb and Cottage Pie uses ground beef, but it is a matter of your preference as to what you decide to use.

    A detailed list with measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

    🔪Keto Shepherd's Pie Instructions

    This is a basic breakdown of the steps involved in making Keto Shepherd's Pie. You will find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

    Overhead view of chopped turnips in a large Dutch oven on a wooden cutting board.

    Place the turnips in a large pot of salted water along with the garlic and bring to a boil.

    Overhead view of cooked veggies pushed to the side of a large cast iron skillet and a pound of ground beef in the center of the pan.

    Push the vegetables to the edges of the skillet and add the ground beef.

    All of the meat and vegetables and seasoning for keto shepherd's pie cooked in a large cast iron skillet.

    Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a gravy-like consistency.

    Mashed turnips being spread over the base of this keto shepherd's pie with a white spatula.

    Spread the mashed turnip mixture over the meat mixture, smoothing with a spoon or rubber spatula.

    Helpful Hint: 💡: For a smoother texture in the mashed turnip topping, make sure to drain the cooked turnips well before placing them in the food processor. Excess moisture can result in a runny consistency, so patting them dry with a paper towel can help achieve a creamier texture.

    SUBSTITUTIONS

    • Turnips - If turnips aren't available or preferred, you can substitute them with cauliflower or rutabaga. Both can be boiled and mashed similarly to turnips and offer a similar texture.
    • Dry Red Wine - While dry red wine adds depth of flavor, you can omit it altogether or substitute it with beef broth or a combination of beef broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
    • Vegetables - Feel free to customize the vegetable mix in the filling based on your taste and carb preferences. You can use diced bell peppers, green beans, or zucchini as a low-carb alternative to the carrot.

    🍽Equipment

    This is the equipment you will need to make Keto Shepherd's Pie.

    • Large pot
    • food processor
    • large cast iron skillet
    • wooden spoon
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • whisk
    • rubber spatula
    • pastry brush

    Storage

    1. Refrigerator Storage:
      • Allow the Shepherd's Pie to cool completely at room temperature.
      • Once cooled, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil.
      • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
      • When ready to reheat, you can either microwave individual portions or reheat the entire skillet in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
    2. Freezer Storage:
      • If you're planning to freeze the Shepherd's Pie, it's best to do so before baking.
      • Assemble the Shepherd's Pie in a freezer-safe dish but skip the final baking step.
      • Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
      • Label the dish with the date and contents.
      • Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
      • When ready to enjoy, thaw the Shepherd's Pie overnight in the refrigerator.
      • Once thawed, bake according to the original recipe instructions until heated through and the topping is golden and bubbly.

    Following these storage instructions will help preserve the quality and taste of your Keto Shepherd's Pie for future enjoyment.

    💭Top tip

    For a richer flavor in the filling make sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon when you add the the dry red wine and other liquids after cooking the meat and vegetables. This step helps infuse the filling with a delicious depth of flavor.

    Overhead view of a Keto Shepherd's Pie in a cast iron skillet fresh out of the oven and topped with chopped fresh chives.

    FAQ about Keto Shepherd's Pie

    Can I use mashed cauliflower instead of mashed turnips?

    While mashed cauliflower is a common substitute for mashed potatoes in low-carb recipes, I found that it yielded a slightly looser texture than desired for this dish. Mashed turnips offer a thicker consistency that closely resembles traditional mashed potatoes while keeping the carb count low.

    Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?

    Absolutely! You can easily swap out the ground beef or lamb for plant-based alternatives such as crumbled tofu, tempeh, or a meat substitute like Beyond Meat. And use a vegetable base in place of the beef one.

    How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

    To make this recipe dairy-free, you can omit the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese from the mashed turnips topping. Instead, you can use dairy-free alternatives such as coconut cream or cashew cream for added richness and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

    A serving of Keto Shepherd's Pie on a black plate topped with chopped fresh chives.

    Related Recipes

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Keto Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
    • Keto Steak & Guinness Meat Pie
    • Keto Beef Stew
    • Keto Reuben Tacos
    • Keto Reuben Sliders
    • Dublin Coddle (Keto)

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with Keto Shepherd's Pie:

    • Keto Irish Cream Cold Brew
    • Low-Carb Irish Mule Cocktail
    • Keto Irish Soda Bread
    • Smothered Cabbage
    • Keto Irish Coffee Cupcakes
    • Keto Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
    Closeup of a serving of Keto Shepherd's Pie on a black plate.

    Keto Shepherd's Pie

    Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Keto Shepherd's Pie recipe! Whether it's a St. Patrick's Day celebration or a cozy family dinner, this dish is sure to impress. Featuring creamy mashed turnips and your choice of lamb or ground beef, it's a low-carb twist on a classic favorite.
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    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Holiday Recipes, Main Course
    Cuisine Irish American
    Servings 6
    Calories 365 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large pot
    • food processor
    • large cast iron skillet
    • Wooden Spoon
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • Whisk
    • rubber spatula
    • pastry brush

    Ingredients
      

    For the Topping

    • 2 lbs turnips peeled and cut into 1” thick pieces (pick small to medium-sized turnips)
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 4 ounces cream cheese
    • pink salt to taste
    • fresh cracked black pepper to taste
    • 1 large egg lightly beaten
    • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
    • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
    • 1 tbsp fresh chives or Italian parsley chopped

    For the Pie Filling

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 large carrot finely chopped
    • 2 ribs celery finely chopped
    • 1 cup mushrooms finely chopped (about 4 ounces)
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 lb ground beef or ground lamb
    • 1 tsp pink salt divided, or added to taste
    • 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper plus more to taste
    • 1 tbsp onion powder
    • 1 tbsp better than bouillon beef base
    • 1 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or liquid aminos
    • 1/2 cup dry red wine such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon
    • 1 cup beef bone broth or chicken
    • 1/2 to 1 tsp xanthan gum
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Place the turnips in a large pot of salted water along with the garlic and bring to a boil.
    • Boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until the turnips are fork-tender. Do not overcook.
    • Drain the turnips well and place them in the bowl of a food processor.
    • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large cast iron (or other oven-safe) skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the carrots and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes, until tender.
    • Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Turn the heat up to medium-high and push the vegetables to the edges of the skillet.
    • Add the beef and cook until no longer pink breaking it up with a meat chopper or wooden spoon, about 7 to 10 minutes.
    • Add the salt, pepper, onion powder, beef base, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce (or liquid aminos), red wine, and the beef bone broth. Bring it to a boil making sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to remove and browned bits.
    • Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon of the xanthan gum and reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a gravy-like consistency, about 10 to 15 minutes (add the additional 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum if the sauce is not thick enough for you).
    • Remove from the heat.
    • To the bowl of the food processor with the turnips, add the cream cheese, salt, pepper, and egg, and process until smooth.
    • Spread the mashed turnip mixture over the meat mixture, smoothing with a spoon or rubber spatula.
    • Brush the top with the melted butter and then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
    • Place the skillet into the oven on a baking sheet to catch any sauce that might bubble over.
    • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the top is golden.

    Disclaimer

    Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 23gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 766mgPotassium: 732mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2213IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food Safely

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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