We can thank our friends in the UK, who live across the channel, for the fabled casserole dish shepherd’s pie. It’s one of those comfort foods that Mom used to make, like meatloaf. Add a crust of mashed potatoes and some vegetables and voila! The first shepherd’s pie was made!
Are you unsure of what to serve with shepherd’s pie? Here are 8 of the top side dishes for shepherd’s pie that will help this hearty casserole remain the star of the show. You’ll have lots of options to create an amazing menu, including bread recipes, fresh vegetables, greens, and salads.
Table of Contents
Top 8 Suggestions to Eat With Shepherd’s Pie
Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Since shepherd’s pie is typically a dish you’ll trot out in the cooler months, you should use what’s in season alongside it.
Having Brussels sprouts on hand makes pairing shepherd’s pie with other foods simple. When prepared properly, they have the flavor of small cabbages. Roasting them is one of the best ways to enjoy this often misunderstood vegetable.
Even children will eat them when they are properly prepared. To achieve the perfect roasted flavor, a little honey and balsamic vinegar can go a long way.
Mushy Peas
If you want an authentic British dinner, opt for mushy peas. Although it may not sound tasty, this side is actually very good.
You’ll typically find mushy peas served with fish and chips, but it pairs well with shepherd’s pie, too!
The addition of color also adds a nice pop of contrast to the flavors.
Additionally, making it is very simple and fast. All you need are peas, baking soda, salt, and water. An incredibly thick and creamy dish is the end result.
Brown Butter Peas With Mint
A well-liked side dish in the UK is mushy peas. If you’ve had it, you may understand why!
It makes a great companion to shepherd’s pie, and with the texture of the mashed potatoes on the main dish, we felt it would be best to recommend something that still has a British hint without the mush.
Adding mint to peas is quite a popular thing over there, and while it sounds unusual, once you try it, you’ll be adding a sprig of mint to your peas from here on out.
Corn Salad
Color, flavor, and texture are all present in abundance in corn salad. That’s what’s up: sweet kernels of corn, crunchy cucumber, and juicy tomatoes in a light vinaigrette.
The flavors and textures of the ingredients alone are intriguing. A mixture of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, the dressing brings them all together in one harmonious dish.
The addition of feta cheese will give this already excellent corn salad a little more saltiness. It’s fantastic in either case.
Roasted Eggplant
Vegetables always get a bad rap, especially eggplant. It may be the star of eggplant parmigiana, but outside of summertime grilling, you never see enough of it.
When serving shepherd’s pie as a side dish, it’s time to give eggplant a supporting role during the fall and winter (or any season, really). This is an easy way to add more vegetables to the meal without it feeling like a burden on the belly.
Plus, since it’s not dressed in a rich sauce like the main event, it adds a nice contrast for the palate. You should definitely make this if you’re serving a traditional shepherd’s pie and have vegetarian guests joining the meal. They’ll have delicious food to enjoy as a result!
Dinner Rolls
Don’t you think some bread would go well with a saucy shepherd’s pie? Dinner rolls are a great accompaniment to shepherd’s pie if you enjoy sopping things up.
You can make your dinner guests happy by setting out a butter dish along with these fluffy, soft, and delightfully chewy pillows of bread. Dinner rolls might seem difficult, but with this video from Cooking A Dream, you’ll have them mastered fast!
Baked Beans
Balance out rich and creamy shepherd’s pie with sweet and smoky baked beans! My mouth starts to water just thinking about spooning baked beans over the casserole.
You won’t need to spend hours making this recipe, so relax. Who says baked beans should be reserved for special occasions? Baked beans usually take forever to make, but with this recipe, all it takes is 40 minutes. Even though it’s a shortened version, the flavor is still fantastic.
Beet & Goat Cheese Salad With White Wine Vinegar Dressing
One of the best sides for shepherd’s pie is a delicious salad! The crisp textures and delightful tangy flavors are a marvelous contrast to the richness from your main dish.
a a a a scal a. a a. a. a. a. a….. Simply tossing some beets and goat cheese onto a bed of greens and calling it a day would suffice, but why stop there?
Check out this recipe below: She uses roasted beets, granny smith apples, pecans, and goat cheese for an epic combination of texture and sweetness with a tangy white wine vinegar dressing.
Shepherd’s Pie Tips
I sincerely hope these suggestions for sides touched a nerve and sparked your appetite! Here I’ve included tips on making homemade shepherd’s pie to keep in mind no matter the recipe. However, this Irish Shepherd’s Pie is for you if you’re looking for a tried-and-true version.
- Let filling cool and thicken up before spreading mashed potatoes on top so they don’t sink.
- Make sure your mash is fluffy. Spreading a firm mash is challenging.
- The filling can be made one day ahead of assembling, but not the mashed potatoes. If they are chilled, it will be impossible to spread them.
- Place casserole dish or ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any stew that may bubble over while baking. You don’t want to have to clean the oven afterwards.
Conclusion
The best English dinner you’ve ever had would be shepherd’s pie and these fantastic sides! From salads and vegetables to breads and puddings, I’ve got a myriad of ideas for you.
FAQs
What is Traditional Shepherd’s Pie Made Of?
Traditionally, shepherd’s pie is made with lamb mince, vegetables and mashed potato. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
What is the Difference Between Shepherds Pie and Cottage Pie?
Let’s start with a fairly well-known one: there is a difference between “cottage pie” and “shepherd’s pie”, and it’s in the meat. Shepherd’s pie should only be named as such if it contains lamb, and “cottage” usually applies to one made with beef.
