Vegan Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

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The very best Vegan Shepherd’s Pie recipe with lots of mushrooms and veggies in a silky red wine gravy and pillowy olive oil mashed potatoes topping. An English classic from scratch, cozy comfort food that is actually good for you!

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Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Mushrooms

The perfect plant-based meal to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner, then again for New Year’s, Easter and Sunday’s family dinner. Might just be the best thing to whip up with all those Thanksgiving gravy and potatoes leftovers.

Traditional shepherd’s pie or cottage pieis an English casserole made with ground beef or lamb but it doesn’t have to be! I clearly left that out of my vegan recipe because there is absolutely zero need for any of that sadness on our plate. Baby lambs are simply meant to be loved! Instead I doubled up on nutritious wholesome veggies, lots of meaty mushrooms and green peas in a thick, savory and luscious gravy topped with golden pillows of fluffy mashed potatoes. Heaven!

The Mashed Potatoes

I love adding olive oil to my mashed potatoes and a splash of creamy homemade cashew milk. You don’t know fluffy and creamy until you do this and ’Tis the Season to indulge a little. Go for Yukon Gold Potatoes here, they are buttery and creamy + there’s no need to peel them. Russets are fine but not great, and in my honest opinion just extra work and too much waste as they do have to peeled.

Recipe Tips + FAQs

  • How to prevent the mashed potatoes from sinking into the filling? – Allow the mushroom filling to completely cool off first. Also make sure you cook down that sauce until extra thick.
  • Substitutions – sub the mashed potato topping with mashed cauliflower, roasted butternut squash or a sweet potato mash. Alternatively you could mix in some parsnips or parsley root with mashed potatoes. The mushrooms can also be swapped for 2 cups of cooked French lentils or simply make this vegan Bolognese sauce instead and top with the mashed potatoes. Technically any plant based “ground meat” and even tofu can be used here.
  • Can I omit the red wine? – The red wine is an important ingredient of the gravy, however you can substitute it with veggie broth and maybe add a couple of tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce or vegan Worcestershire sauce to make up for the depth of flavor of the red wine.
  • Prep in advance – Feel free to make your cottage / shepherd’s pie a day or two ahead and refrigerate it overnight. It reheats well and you can warm it through in the oven at 350”F for 25 minutes. If you are after perfection make sure to also finish it under the broiler for a couple of minutes just enough to get those golden crispy edges on the potatoes. There’s really no need to bake the pie at all when prepped fresh and broiled for a few minutes. Any leftovers can be frozen in freezer safe containers for up to 4 months.

Serving suggestions…

  • crispy roasted broccoli
  • balsamic Brussels sprouts
  • vegan creamed spinach
  • vegan Caesar salad
  • vegan turkey roast
  • the family classic cucumber tomato salad
  • Thanksgiving dinner rolls or crusty bread to mop up the last drop of that luscious gravy.

How to Make Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Vegan Shepherd's Pie Recipe (6)

5 from 11 votes

Best Vegan Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

A traditional style Vegan Shepherd’s Pie recipe with lots of mushrooms in a silky red wine gravy and olive oil mashed potatoes topping. Simply the Best!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet onion - diced
  • 4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 lb brown mushrooms - sliced
  • 1 cup frozen green peas - rinsed under warm water
  • 1 large carrot - diced or sliced into rounds
  • 2-3 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 cups vegetable stock - low sodium
  • 1/2 cup red wine - vegan
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 leaves bay
  • 1 tbsp smoked sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 red chili pepper - diced & Optional
  • 5 sprigs thyme - leaves only
  • 1 pinch sea salt + more to taste
  • 2 tsp olive oil or a splash of water
  • 1/4 cup micro greens or chives for garnish (optional)

Mashed Potatoes:

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Mashed Potatoes

  • Scrub and rinse the potatoes well and cut them into 1 inch pieces. Transfer them to a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 2 bay leaves and 4 cloves of the minced garlic and bring to a simmer. Season well with sea salt and cook until tender, about 12 minutes.

    Drain the potatoes in a colander and allow them to dry well in their own steam. Discard the bay leaves.

    Transfer back into the pot, drizzle with the olive oil, plant milk and nutritional yeast and mash until creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings with more sea salt. Add more plant milk and olive oil if a creamier consistency is desired. Set aside to cool until needed.

    4 cloves garlic, 2 leaves bay, 3 lb Yukon gold potatoes, 4-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup cashew milk, sea salt + black pepper, 2-3 tbsp nutritional yeast

  • Preheat your broiler.If you'd rather just bake this then preheat the oven to 350"F.

Make the Gravy Filling

  • Preheat a cast iron medium pot over medium flame. Add half of the diced onion and a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of water and sauté with a pinch of sea salt for about 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the carrots and cook another 5 to 10 minutes until they begin to soften.

    1 large sweet onion, 1 large carrot, 2 tsp olive oil or a splash of water

  • Add 2 bay leaves, thyme leaves, whole cloves, chili pepper and garlic. Give everything a good stir then add the paprika, onion powder and flour (or corn starch for gluten-free). Stir again then whisk in the red wine and vegetable stock. Keep whisking until everything is smooth.

    2-3 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour, 1/2 cup red wine, 3 whole cloves, 1 tbsp smoked sweet paprika, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 red chili pepper, 5 sprigs thyme, 4 cloves garlic, 2 leaves bay, 2 cups vegetable stock

  • Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes until slightly reduced and thickened. Stir in the green peas and warm through. Taste and adjust seasonings to your taste with sea salt.

    1 cup frozen green peas

Cook the Mushrooms

  • Heat up a large skillet over medium low heat and add the remaining 1/2 onion. Cook 5 minutes then stir in the mushrooms and a pinch of sea salt. Sauté until wilted and most of the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to the pot with the gravy, stir and taste again.Allow the filling to cool off.

    1 large sweet onion, 1 lb brown mushrooms, 1 pinch sea salt

Assemble the Shepherd's Pie

  • Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the mushroom gravy and level them with the back of a spoon. Take a fork and create little tracks over the surface.

  • Transfer the Shepherd’s pie to the preheated broiler and broil for a few minutes until golden brown on top. Alternatively bake it in a preheated oven at 350"F for 25 minutes.

    Serve hot garnished with micro greens, chives or your favorite fresh herbs.

    1/4 cup micro greens or chives for garnish

Video

Notes

    • Substitutions - sub the mashed potato topping with mashed cauliflower, roasted butternut squash or sweet potato mash. Alternatively you could mix in some parsnips or parsley root with your olive oil mashed potatoes. The mushrooms can also be swapped for 2 cups of cooked French lentils or simply make this vegan Bolognese sauce instead and top with the mashed potatoes.
    • Prep in advance - Feel free to make your shepherds pie a day ahead and refrigerate it. It reheats well and you can warm it through in the oven at 350”F for 25 minutes. If you are after perfection make sure to also finish it under the broiler for a couple of minutes just enough to get those golden edges on the mashed potatoes. Any leftovers can be frozen in freezer safe containers for up to 4 months.
    • How to prevent the mashed potatoes from sinking into the filling? - Allow the filling to completely cool off first. Also make sure you cook down that sauce until extra thick.
    • WFPB and Plantricious - To make the recipe compliant make sure to omit the olive oil from the mashed potatoes and saute the onion and mushroom is splash of broth or water.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 2223mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4110IU | Vitamin C: 68.6mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 13.6mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Thanksgiving, Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 401kcal

Author: Florentina

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  1. This was amazing, the sauce and everything was simply perfect. I doubled the recipe and had some leftover mashed potatoes that I assure you did not go to waste. Bookmarked and will definitely make Shepherd’s Pie a weekly affair from now on. Thank you very much for sharing the recipe.

    Reply

  2. Agree – best shepherds pie. Much prefer this over the lentil varieties. Perfect coolish day as we roll into fall. It is saved in our fav recipes file. FYI – made it exactly as recipe indicates and would not change a thing. Thanks Florentina!!

    Reply

    1. So happy you loved it Ed. Enjoy!

      Reply

  3. Recipe was fantastic!! Only thing is that the prep time you list is WAY off. Took me over an hour to prepare this recipe. I also doubled the thyme and used 2 tablespoons of jarred vegetable bouillon to give it extra flavor. I used mostly white mushrooms and only about a fourth of the more expensive brown mushrooms. I used a good red cab for the wine and the entire recipe came out fantastic. Oh. I also had to add more flour to thicken the gravy in the end so the mashed potatoes wouldnt sink down. I made a side dish of extra mashed potatoes too. Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply

    1. Hey Lynn, using a food processor to help with the slicing and dicing definitely cuts back the prep time. I’ll make sure to update that info. Xo’s ~ Florentina

      Reply

  4. Why cook the mushrooms separate from the onions?

    Reply

    1. You don’t actually have to cook them separately, if you watch the video I actually cooked them together in that one but It is a little faster If I have two pans going. Anyway you prefer 🙂

      Reply

  5. I’m out of red wine but really want to make this today….any suggestions?

    Reply

    1. Just use veggie stock or even white wine if you have it!

      Reply

    2. Sounds yummy and perfect just from looking at the ingredients

      Reply

  6. I noticed the video shows adding nutritional yeast to the potatoes but the ingredient list has none listed. How much do you normally add to your potatoes? I like the yeast and want to add it too. I am anxious to try this pie! Thanks
    peace

    Reply

    1. Sorry Luanne, I updated the recipe to include the nutritional yeast. Usually I add about 2-3 tablespoons but you can add more if you prefer. Taste as you, hope you love the recipe 🙂

      Reply

  7. Excellent! Didn’t have mushrooms but added corn and a yellow pepper. Also did not put under broiler but in 350 oven for 30 minutes – need hot foods to be really hot 😀

    Reply

  8. Whoops – also added oregano, rosemary and 1T siracha ketchup to offset a bitter taste.

    Reply

  9. Thanks for sharing this recipe. When you say “whole cloves,” do you mean actual cloves or cloves of garlic?

    Reply

    1. Actual clove spice 🙂

      Reply

      1. Do you have to remove them at some point? Wouldn’t they hurt to bite down on? I’ve never eaten cloves….I’ve had them floating in cider for flavor and I’ve baked with ground cloves but I’ve never had whole cloves in a recipe before.

        Reply

        1. Yes you can discard them at the end of cooking, however I wouldn’t worry as they soften up during cooking. If you prefer you can use a tiny pinch of ground cloves instead.

          Reply

  10. Thanks, again. I used a pinch of cloves and about a 1/4 of the paprika and it turned out great. No leftovers 🙁

    Reply

  11. Pingback: Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes Recipe • Veggie Society

  12. Just finished eating this for dinner and it was so good!! We were super pleased with it. The recipe is a little tedious but it is so worth it in the end! Super yummy and satisfying with the thick gravy! I added just a smidge of ketchup to off set a little bitterness. I’m thinking I’ll make this for thanksgiving! Thanks for a great recipe!!

    Reply

    1. So happy you loved it Brittney 🙂

      Reply

  13. Have not tasted yet, but sampled before going into the oven. I used a jalapeño instead of chile pepper and added fresh corn and fennel in the pie. I used “Better than Bouillion” vegetable broth because I didn’t have any on hand. Looks amazing! Can’t wait to taste.

    Reply

  14. This was an excellent recipe, thank you for sharing! I will definitely make it again…

    Reply

  15. tested this recipe and it was super tasty!

    Reply

  16. Are you able to freeze and re-heat this dish? I would love to make this for a family friend.

    Reply

    1. yes, you should be able to freeze it just fine Jessica. Just remember to thaw it out in the fridge before reheating in the oven at 350″F for about 35 minutes or until bubbly. You can finish under the broiler before serving.

      Reply

  17. Could this be made ahead of time such as a freezer meal?

    Reply

    1. Yes definitely works as a freezer meal, just remember to thaw out in the refrigerator before reheating.

      Reply

  18. Hi there,

    I wonder if there are other thickener options in place of flour. I can’t eat it and would love any substitute suggestions. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Julie, you could do rice flour or tapioca instead (2 tbsp tops).

      Reply

  19. Like Barbara I heated mine in a 350 degrees oven for about 25 minutes – I wasn’t sure if my cookware would withstand the heat of the broiler. It came out perfect – delicious gravy and just the right consistency. With no food processor it took at least an hour to prepare, but I’m used to that. One thing – the recipe said 4 servings but for us it was more like 8. I’m going to freeze half of it. By the way, I loved the video! Thanks!

    Reply

    1. That’s awesome Sarah, i’ll update the oven baked instructions as well. I loosely said 4 servings because 4 hungry people in my house kill it every time haha but it can definitely be 8 for myself.

      Reply

      1. Haha, yes, we are light eaters – we can usually not finish a restaurant meal. Thanks again!

        Reply

  20. This was so amazingly good! My family loved it as well. My son asked why it’s called Shepherd’s Pie when there’s no meat in it. My husband said, we’ll call it Gardener’s Pie, lol. I just started my WFPB journey and am so glad I came across Veggie Society! Definitely a keeper.

    Reply

    1. That’s awesome, this makes me so happy 🙂

      Reply

  21. 5/5
    I have made this 3 times now , making slight changes with each , ( diff wines , powder clove vs whole, changed some spices , and its impenatrable !! It is DELICIOUS every way

    Reply

  22. Made this tonight for Saint Patrick’s Day. My wife and I loved it! After a heart attack in 2018, I have been moving more and more plant based and vegetarian. We didn’t miss the corner beef at all. Delicious. The gravy was amazing. Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Woohoo! I’m so happy you all enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply

  23. Can you use dry thyme? If so how much?

    Reply

    1. Sure, just a little pinch maybe 1 teaspoon or so.

      Reply

  24. What can I substitute for the cashew milk? My daughter is allergic to cashews.

    Reply

    1. Any plain plant milk should be fine here, just make sure it is unsweetened, no vanilla etc… Coconut will alter the flavor some so keep that in mind.

      Reply

  25. Can I use ground California chili pepper instead or do you think that will change things?

    Reply

    1. Sure!

      Reply

  26. Excellent dish! My daughter asked me to keep this recipe and to cook it often.

    We’re not vegan or vegetarian but don’t eat much meat so I used what we had in our house (beef broth, regular flour, and Costco mashed potatoes) and it still worked out better than fine. Rich, flavorful, and super easy to make.

    If you’re thinking of trying this recipe, I’ve got one word for you: Do!

    Thanks so much for this keeper recipe!

    Reply

  27. I’m excited to try this recipe. If I use regular flour instead of whole wheat pastry flour, does it change the taste/consistency of the dish? Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Regular flour is fine, I just use the whole wheat to be WFPB compliant.

      Reply

  28. Looks so delicious but for one big thing. I gag on mushrooms! Lol. Can I substitute anything else ?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Vegan Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan shepherds pie made of? ›

A traditional shepherd's pie fillings contain onions, carrots, celery, peas, and of course meat (typically lamb). My plant-based version starts with brown (or green) lentils and onions, which get cooked down until beautifully browned, alongside plenty of garlic.

What can I use to thicken my shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

Is shepherds pie and cottage pie the same? ›

These meaty, mince-filled and mash potato-topped pies are very similar, the difference comes down to the filling. Cottage pie is usually made with beef, whereas shepherd's pie is made with lamb. You can also add vegetables and aromats to the filling, such as onions, garlic, carrot, zucchini and rosemary.

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

What brand of pie is vegan? ›

Dutch Apple Pie from Mo'Pweeze Bakery

This take on a classic apple pie features a delectable crumble top, which pairs perfectly with a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar apple filling. All the pies at Mo'Pweeze Bakery are vegan, kosher, and free of the top 10 allergens.

What pies can vegans eat? ›

Our Best Vegan Pie Recipes
  • Perfect Vegan Pie Crust. ...
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  • Ginger-Apple Crumble Pie (Gluten & Dairy-Free) ...
  • Raw Mini Key Lime Pies. ...
  • Vegan Tarte aux Clémentines. ...
  • Rawsome Treats' Summer Fruit Tart. ...
  • Vegan Coconut Lime Ice Cream Pie. ...
  • Frozen Vegan Coconut Chocolate Almond Bars.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

A good shepherd's – or indeed cottage – pie, needs a solid, but fluffy top: too much milk or butter, and you'll end up with a sloppy puree instead. Make sure you steam the potatoes dry before mashing, and season generously; I like Bareham and Hopkinson's nutmeg as well as the usual salt and pepper.

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? ›

How do you keep shepherds pie from falling apart? The eggs in the mashed potatoes help keep the pie together. You should also make sure to spread the potatoes and press down a bit.

Why is my shepherd's pie soupy? ›

Why is my shepherd's pie runny? Generally, this is caused by using too much stock. If you follow this recipe's measurements you'll have the right amount but don't forget to reduce the meat filling long enough so it's not runny.

What country invented shepherds pie? ›

The dish originates from the British Isles, but some might argue that it is an Irish dish by origin. The name "Shepherd's Pie" was first recorded in an 1877 cookbook. In this same cookbook, it was noted that the dish was of Scottish origin. During the period between the 18th and 19th centuries, money was very tight.

Is shepherds pie german or irish? ›

Many people believe that the peasant housewives invented the pie as an easy way to repackage leftovers from their Sunday roast. The Shepherd Pie is thought to originate from Ireland and the northern parts of England.

Why is shepherds pie called chinese pie? ›

Most workers ate their meat, potatoes and corn separately but workers of mainly Asian origins, combined their rations to create shepherd's pie, a more communal dish. The French-Canadian railway workers liked this new concoction, adopted the dish, and called it “pâté chinois”, which loosely translates to Chinese pie.

Why do Irish people eat shepherd's pie? ›

"Shepherd's Pie is one the most traditional Irish dishes I know of," she said. Culhane said the meal became popular in Ireland for a simple reason: It's easy to make, it makes a lot and it's cheap. Although there are many variations, most Shepherd's Pies are made with ground meat, potatoes, carrots, peas and onions.

How do you keep mash from sinking in shepherds pie? ›

To stop the mash sinking into the filling, allow the meat to cool before topping with the mashed potato. Freeze in individual ovenproof dishes for an easy meal for one.

Can I substitute cornstarch for flour in shepherd's pie? ›

Thickening Gravy, Sauces, or Pie Fillings

Cornstarch works remarkably well as a thickener in sauces, gravy, and pie fillings, and some prefer it to flour. 2 You won't be able to taste the cornstarch the way you sometimes can taste the flour.

What is traditional shepherd's pie made of? ›

Classic Shepherd's Pie is a comforting casserole that consists of ground lamb, carrots, and peas simmered with Guinness, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs and topped with a cheesy mashed potato layer that's baked until golden and crisp.

What are vegan mince pies made of? ›

You ideally need to prepare the mincemeat the day before you bake the vegan mince pies. Start by placing the currants, raisins, sultanas, cranberries, mixed peel, soft brown sugar, almonds, coconut oil, grated bramley apple, spices and orange zest and juice in a large saucepan.

Do vegans eat pie crust? ›

You can make a great vegan pie crust regardless of the kind of plant-based fat you have on hand. But it's important to use a recipe formulated for the kind of fat you'd like to use—otherwise, you'll need to adjust for the amount of water, which can be a tricky business for all but the most experienced bakers.

Can you get vegan pies? ›

Overview of Vegan Pie Varieties

One of the best things about eating vegan pies is getting to enjoy the vast amount of vegan pie varieties and different flavours that are blended together to create exquisite flavours, such as: Vegan shepherds pie. Squash, spinach and feta. Vegan 'cheese' and onion.

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