Last Updated on October 6, 2021 by Anne-Marie
Gluten free but love classic shepherd's pie? Try this easy to make gluten free shepherd's pie recipe!
Why this recipe works
I came up with this gluten free shepherd's pie recipe, because I’m unable to order shepherd’s pie when I go out for dinner.
You see, if you’re gluten free like me, you have to avoid most classic shepherd pie recipes. That’s because it’s filled with gravy, which we all know is probably thickened with flour.
Otherwise, the basic shepherd’s pie is classic British pub food that’s usually made with ground lamb.
However, you can make it with other ground meats like venison, beef, or even turkey.
So, as part of a recipe challenge, I took Shelby at Grumpy’s Honeybunch original shepherd’s pie recipe(with permission, of course).
Then I experimented and created a new gluten free shepherd pie recipe that’s so delicious that everyone in the family can enjoy this one pot dinner, gluten free or not!
Making a gluten free shepherd’s pie recipe
Here are some tips on turning a traditional shepherd’s pie recipe into a gluten free dinner recipe.
Use a gluten free gravy mix: Shelby’s easy shepherd pie recipe uses instant gravy mix. Nothing wrong with that as it saves time.
If you wish, you can use a gluten free gravy mix like Orrington Farms Brown Gravy Mix or McCormick Gluten-Free Brown Gravy Mix. Both are tasty, convenient, and easy to use.
I especially love Orrington Farms Brown Gravy Mix. Not only because it’s so delicious that you can’t believe it’s gluten free.
But because you can make up a small or big batch of gluten free gravy with this mix depending on what you’re making for dinner that night – turkey, mashed potatoes, or just a bit like for this easy shepherd pie recipe!
Or make gluten free gravy from scratch: If you can’t find a gluten free gravy mix, you can use the gluten free gravy recipe I’ve used below based the one from The Joy of Cooking cookbook.
However, instead of flour, use corn starch to thicken the gravy. Corn starch is a terrific way to thicken soup or gravy, instead of using flour.
To avoid lumps, you should always always mix the corn starch with an equivalent amount of liquid (either water or broth) to make a slurry. Then add that to the soup or gravy.
Check the labels! Check to make sure all the sauces and the beef broth you use in this simple shepherd’s pie recipe are gluten free.
Lea & Perrins The Original Worcestershire Sauce is certified by the company to be gluten free.
More tips for making a simple shepherd’s pie
Cut back on the sodium: I eliminated any added salt in this easy shepherds pie recipe as there was plenty of sodium in the gluten free beef broth as well as the steak and Worcestershire sauces.
Broth: You can substitute chicken or vegetable broth for the beef broth in a pinch.
Vegetables: I used canned vegetables in this easy shepherd's pie recipe since that’s what I had on hand.
You can use frozen vegetables, such as two bags of frozen peas and carrots.
Either will save you time instead of chopping veggies from scratch.
Garlic: You can also used minced garlic from a jar. (I won’t tell if you don’t!) I find this such a time saver.
Plus, I hate throwing away all those cloves of garlic that have gone bad, dried out, or sprouted!
Can you make this dairy free?
If you’re dairy free, use a vegan or dairy free buttery spread instead of butter in the mashed potato topping.
Notice that I use the cooking water instead of milk, too!
How to serve shepherd’s pie
I serve my Gluten Free Shepherd’s Pie in a 9 1/2-inch deep dish ceramic pie pan.
You can use this ceramic pie pan for all sorts of one pot dishes, cobbler, and deep dish dessert pies.
Love this gluten free shepherd’s pie recipe?
Check out my recipe for Easy Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Turkey and Portobello Mushrooms and Gluten Free Pot Pie Recipe in a Skillet.
Based on classic shepherd’s pie recipes, they're easy dinner recipe you’ll love!
Gluten Free Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Love classic shepherd's pie? Try this easy to make gluten free shepherd's pie recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red potatoes
- 3 tablespoons buttery spread
- 1 1/2 pounds ground meat (lamb, venison, turkey or beef)
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 14.5-ounce can beef stock, divided
- 2 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce (gluten free)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons steak sauce
- 1 14.5-ounce can sliced carrots
- 1 15-ounce can peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Wash potatoes and cut into large chunks. (If you’re not using red potatoes, you’ll need to peel them, too.) Place in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and cook until tender.
- Drain potatoes reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Mash potatoes with liquid and butter until fluffy. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Brown ground meat with chopped onions. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons rice starch with 3 tablespoons of beef broth until thoroughly mixed.
- In a skillet on medium-high heat add garlic, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, vegetables, and garlic. Bring it to a simmer. Then add the rice starch and broth mixture. Stir until the broth thickens.
- Add the browned ground meat and onion mixture to the pan. Mix and keep at a simmer. Add any beef broth you have leftover and cook until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Pour vegetable and meat mixture into a baking dish. Carefully spoon mashed potato over mixture. Using the tines of a fork, score the mashed potatoes if you like.
- Place small chunks of the butter or buttery spread on the mashed potatoes. Then place the baking dish on a cookie sheet as the gravy may bubble over.
- Bake the gluten free shepherd's pie for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees until mashed potato topping is golden.
- Remove the shepherd's pie from the oven. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 427Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 314mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 7gSugar: 8gProtein: 30g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.
Originally posted October 10, 2011 and January 20, 2017. Updated with new pictures and information.
This recipe looks amazing!
Just an FYI though, Worcestershire sauce isn’t gluten free. It might be helpful to add the gluten free version of it in the ingredients list <3
Good point. Lea & Perrins is gluten-free. However, other brands may not be. You can substitute gluten free soy sauce, GF fish sauce, or tamari sauce. As always, read the label!
Just made this for dinner, I used gluten and dairy free gravy mix instead of the cornstarch also Earth Balance dairy free instead of butter. It was to die for.
Thank you.
A lot of those gluten free gravy mixes are terrific! So is Earth Balance. Good choices when making a gluten and dairy free shepherd’s pie recipe!
This looks wonderful! And we usually have elk steak and ground elk in the freezer. Think I will give this a go with some of it! GREAT SRC pick.
That is one delicious Shepherd’s Pie …
I love shepherd’s pie, and I don’t make it nearly enough! This version sounds super tasty. 🙂
I love Shelby’s blog and this is such a great pick! Excellent tips for making shepard’s pie gluten free.
I love shepherds pie, but the only time we ever make it is after Thanksgiving with the leftovers. May have to change that!
Shepherds pie is a favorite in our home and yours looks delicious.
I have a lot of cooking to do, this week, and I decided to check out the secret recipes to get ideas. Last night, I asked my husband, if he would like Shepherds’ Pie and he was quite enthusiastic. I need a new recipe and was going to do some searching, this morn but here you are with my new recipe. Thanks. It looks delicious.