Description
This slow-cooked Guinness shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender, savory meat simmered in a rich Guinness-infused gravy, hearty vegetables, and a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. The slow cooking process enhances the flavors, making this dish a must-try for cozy dinners, family gatherings, or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ingredients
- Stew meat (beef or lamb) – 1½ pounds, trimmed of excess fat
- Sea salt – 1 teaspoon
- Ground black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
- Olive oil – 2 teaspoons
- Small onion – diced
- Garlic – 1 clove, minced
- Tomato paste – 1 tablespoon
- All-purpose flour – 1 tablespoon
- Guinness beer – ½ cup
- Beef broth – 1½ cups
- Worcestershire sauce – 1 tablespoon
- Dried thyme – ½ teaspoon
- Carrots – 1½ cups, diced
- Frozen corn – 1 cup
- Frozen peas – 1 cup
- Mashed potatoes – 4 cups, prepared (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Heat olive oil in a stovetop-safe casserole dish or braising pan over medium heat.
- Season the stew meat with salt and pepper, then sear in the hot oil until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute. Sprinkle with flour and stir for another minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Pour in Guinness beer, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and enhance flavor.
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Return the seared meat to the pan, cover, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 1½ hours.
- Stir in carrots, corn, and peas, then continue baking, uncovered, for another 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Remove from the oven and let the stew rest for a few minutes.
- Spread mashed potatoes over the top, then broil for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra creaminess, mix some shredded Irish cheddar into the mashed potatoes before broiling.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) before adding the vegetables.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
- To make it ahead of time, assemble the dish and refrigerate. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish