Shepherds Pie Instant Pot

SHEPHERD’S PIE RECIPE EASY

How To Make Shepherd’s Pie In An Instant Pot 2024

This Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie recipe will work in any brand of an electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot Ninja Foodi,  Power Pressure Cooker XL, or even an oven top model.

Cottage or shepherd’s pie contains has traditionally used ground lamb. However, it is equally tasty with beef. We are going to show how to make it with beef steak – it gives the dish a whole new texture and dimension of taste!

See our Ribeye Steak Recipe for making really tender steaks.

Cooking Shepherd’s Pie with Frozen Meat – If you forgot to take it out – you can put the meat (depending the size) under the trivet when you cook the potatoes and it should thaw.

See how to warmup leftover shepherd’s pie.

How to Get a Crisp Topping on Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie

Using a piping bag to add the potatoes on top gives the ridges of the potato really nice shape and they tend to brown a little and give the steak baked dish a fancier look.

However, you can just as easily use a spatula or spoon to put on the potatoes. Then use a fork just to make some ridges and that will give some crispy edges just like the pipped potato.

While it is easy to finish the pie in the oven using an air fryer lid will also crisp up the edges of potatoes on your shepherd’s pie really well.

See how much meat pie to serve per person for a crowd.

For extra effect you can also use a kitchen blow torch to give the potato piped edges a bit more color and make really crispy cheese!

cottage pie ingredients
Shepherds Pie Ingredients

Dice the onions, carrots, garlic and celery. Peel and cut the potatoes.

slice the meat
Slice the meat

Cut the meat into 2 inch chucks.

mix the meat
Steak Shepherds Pix mix

Heat the oil in the instant pot and cook the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Add the beef and cook string well for another 3-4 minutes.

Add celery, carrot, thyme, bay leaf, and all liquids and mix well.

Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes with 10 minutes natural pressure release.

Check the steak is tender and tip into a bowl – then clean the instant pot bowl.

How To Mash Potatoes In an Instant Pot
How To Mash Potatoes In an Instant Pot

Add 1-2 cups of water put in the trivet and place the potatoes on the trivet.

Cook for 8 minutes and a quick release of the pressure.

Add Butter To The Potato
Add Butter To The Potato

Mash the potatoes with butter, cream, salt, and pepper to taste.

Fill The Tin With Steak
Fill The Tin With Steak

Put the steak mix into your pie containers – do not put too much liquid.

Piping Potato For Pie Top
Piping Potato For Pie Top

Using a piping bag ( or a spoon/spatula if you do not have one) cover the meat well with mashed potato.

Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top.

Cook in the oven on 340F or broil/grill for 5 minutes – watching to make sure the top does not burn.

Shepherds Pie Instant Pot

This family easy shepherd’s pie uses steak instead of ground beef. Then make it in your Instant Pot or multi-cooker pressure cooker to prepare the filling and potatoes.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Beef, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cottage pie, instant pot, pressure cooker, shepherds pie, steak
Calories: 725kcal
Author: Rose

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 lb 1kg beef Chuck Steak
  • 2 stalks cellery
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon raw sugar to adjust taste if necessary

Potato Topping

  • 1 pound potatoes 4 large
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 cup grated cheese

Instructions

  • Dice the onions, carrots, garlic and celery
  • Cut the meat into 2 inch pieces
  • Heat the oil in the instant pot and cook the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until softened
  • Add the beef and cook string well for another 3-4 minutes
  • Add celery, carrot, thyme, bay leaf, and all liquids and mix well
  • Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes with 10 minutes natural pressure release
  • Check the steak is tender and tip into a bowl – then clean the instant pot bowl
  • Add 1-2 cups of water put in the trivet and place the potatoes on the trivet
  • Cook for 8 minutes and a quick release of the pressure
  • Mash the potatoes with butter, cream, salt, and pepper to taste.
  • Put the steak mix into your pie containers – do not put too much liquid
  • Using a piping bag ( or a spoon/spatula if you do not have) cover the meat well with mashed potato
  • Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top
  • Cook in the oven on 340F or broil/grill for 5 minutes – watching to make sure the top does not burn

Notes

Serve with a salad or alone – this dish is fine. It will keep covered in the fridge for 3-4 days easily.

Nutrition

Serving: 300g | Calories: 725kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 690mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g

Can I make Shepherd pie ahead of time?

You can make the mashed potato topping and the meat filling 2 days in advance.

What to serve with Cottage Pie:

This is really a complete meal – but you can serve shepherd’s pie with a side garden salad -or for lunch in bread rolls!

Do you put cheese on top of Shepherd’s Pie?

Traditionally, a Shepherd’s Pie does not have to be topped with cheese, however, you can add cheddar cheese on top of the mashed potatoes or another idea is to just brush them with a little bit of butter before baking.

Why is it called Shepherd’s Pie?

In the beginning, a meat pie made with minced (or ground) meat and mashed potatoes was known as a Cottage Pie or even a potato top pie.

It is very popular in Ireland, Scotland, and England as well! In the late 1800’s the pie was named Shepherd’s Pie when it was made with lamb and if made with beef it was commonly called a Cottage Pie.

How do you keep shepherd’s pie from falling apart?

To stop it falling apart – do not put too much liquid in the meat – and put lots of potato and cheese on top and bake again in the oven – and then take it out with a spatial carefully and it will not fall apart

How do you thicken cottage pie?

You can thicken the mix with a cornstarch and water mixture. Or use flour on the meat. You will need to cook out the flour so you do not taste it.

Why does my mash sinking cottage pie?

You have too much liquid in your meat – see above how to thicken the meat.

Does cottage pie have pastry?

Yes it can – some people put a sheet of pastry instead of the potato on top

What is the best shepherd’s pie seasoning?

For Beef -the best seasoning is bay leaves and thyme

For Lamb the best seasoning is rosemary.

How to store a bought Graham cracker pie crust can work on a cottage pie?

You can crush graham crackers and add a little bit of cheese to hold them together and you have a graham shepherd pie!!