Welcome to The Storied Recipe! After my podcast guest, Anita Parris Soule shared her father's recipe for Guinness Shepherds Pie (Cottage Pie if you use beef instead of lamb), I started thinking about what to pair with this rich, layered dish. Here are 47 of the best sides for Shepherd's Pie featuring fresh, nutritious, simple ingredients. I invite you to listen to Anita's episode, A Complicated Father's Day as you make her casserole into a full meal.
Shepherd's Pie, a beloved main dish renowned for its comforting flavors and wholesome character, has long held a special place at the heart of family dinners and gatherings. The amalgamation of seasoned ground meat, often graced with the distinct taste of ground lamb, and the inviting layer of creamy mashed potatoes makes for a satisfying and traditional meal. However, the question of what to serve with Shepherd's Pie to enhance its culinary charm often arises. Fear not, as we embark on a gastronomic exploration to uncover the 47 best side dishes thoughtfully curated to accompany and enrich the Shepherd's Pie experience. From crisp salads that provide a refreshing contrast to hearty vegetable medleys that harmonize with the savory goodness, this collection of side dishes promises to elevate your Shepherd's Pie serving into a memorable and complete dining affair. Join us as we delve into a world of palate-pleasing choices, each designed to perfectly complement this time-honored classic.
Salads
If you can make just ONE side dish to go with Shepherd's Pie, it should be a SALAD! Salads are a great way to add more vegetables and nutrients to a rich meal. The fresh and crispy nature of salad will also be a perfect complement and nice contrast to the rich and creamy texture of traditional Shepherd's Pie.
Any of these dozen salads will be a perfect side dish!
Best Simple Tossed Green Salad
Cooks in 15 minutesBest Simple Tossed Green Salad is the easiest side dish and goes perfectly with just about anything! Totally customizable and tossed in the tastiest 6-ingredient homemade dressing!
Balsamic Cucumber Salad
Cooks in 15 minutesCucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It's an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Lettuce Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesAbout Lettuce Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe : Lettuce salad with apple cider vinegar is a refreshing and healthy salad that combines crisp lettuce leaves with a tangy dressing. The salad is light, yet packed with flavor and nutrients. The apple cider vinegar dressing adds a zesty kick to the salad, while the lettuce provides a crunchy texture. This salad is perfect as a side dish or a light lunch option.
Fresh Corn Salad
Cooks in 25 minutesSummery and make-ahead, this fresh corn salad is tailor made for a cookout.
Peach Salad with Basil and Goat Cheese
Cooks in 10 minutesJuicy sweet peaches, tangy goat cheese, savory onions, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant arugula come together for a simple summer salad recipe that's layered with so much delicious flavor and texture.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe
Cooks in 10 minutesThis Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad has simple ingredients that are a winning combination. Refreshing and flavorful!
Sweet & Crunchy Carrot Salad
Cooks in 20 minutesThis Carrot Salad is quick and easy to prepare, and makes the perfect recipe to bring to a potluck. I love the addition of raisins and crunchy pecans!
Colorful Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach
Cooks in 45 minutesReset with this healthy beet salad recipe featuring superfoods like carrot, quinoa, spinach, edamame and avocado. It's as colorful as it is nutritious! Recipe yields two meal-sized salads or four side salads. If you plan on having leftovers, store the greens separately from the other prepared ingredients and toss just before serving.
Crunchy Bell Pepper Salad
Cooks in 15 minutesThis delightfully crunchy bell pepper salad (or slaw) is brimming with fresh veggies and herbs, all tossed in a bright lemon honey dressing. It's the perfect side dish for summer!
Chopped Caprese Salad
Cooks in 10 minutesChopped Caprese salad. An easy way to toss together this delicious vegetarian appetizer and perfect for sharing - or for keeping the whole bowl to yourself. Basil gives this a fresh taste and the flavors meld together for a delicious, crowd pleasing dish.
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Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad
Cooks in 15 minutesCrunchy lemon salad with parmesan that is light, flavorful, and perfect with chicken, fish, or vegetables!
Greek Kale Salad with lemon Olive Oil Dressing
Cooks in 10 minutesHealthy Chopped Greek Kale Salad packed with kale, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, feta, and dressed with a lemon olive oil dressing you'll want to put on every salad!
More Side Dishes for Shepherds Pie
If you want to go beyond a salad, I'm sharing great sides from 5 categories: Appetizers, Breads, Hot Vegetables, Desserts, and Beverages.
Appetizers
With a rich recipe like Shepherd's Pie, you'll want simple, low-calorie appetizers that will leave plenty of room for your hearty main casserole. Each of these fit the bill.
Black Bean Salsa
Cooks in 15 minutesTransform canned beans into Black Bean Salsa, an easy recipe guaranteed to please. It's fresh, colorful, and delicious, and it might just be your new favorite party recipe.
Parmesan Cauliflower Bites - Just 5 Ingredients
Cooks in 30 minutesCrispy Parmesan Cauliflower Bites will be the hit of your party or dinner table! They're low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free and melt in your mouth delicious!
Chickpea and Olive Appetizer
Cooks in 30 minutesMake and share this Chickpea and Olive Appetizer recipe from Food.com.
Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewers
Cooks in 20 minutesThe fun, colorful, and delicious summer appetizer that we're all looking for right now!
Baked Zucchini Chips
Cooks in 140 minutesCrispy Baked Zucchini Chips are a healthy paleo-friendly snack recipe that is loaded with flavor and crunch, yet light in calories!
Stuffed Cucumber Bites Appetizers
Cooks in 30 minutesThis is an easy appetizer which tastes great! Make some Cucumber Bites for your next gettogether.
Mini Falafel Bites
Cooks in 40 minutesThese mini falafel bites can be used as snacks, party appetizers or accompany a delicious mashed potato with salad meal. Check out the recipe below!
Sweet Potato Puffs [Gluten Free]
Cooks in 30 minutesThese sweet potato puffs are the perfect thanksgiving appetizer or side dish! They're easy to make, full of herbs and super healthy!
Mozzarella, Prosciutto, and Pickled Peach Appetizer Skewers
This tasty peach appetizer takes a new spin on caprese salad with a variety of flavors and textures -- and puts it all on a stick.
Bread Recipes
Bread is *always* on the menu at our house. The first 3 options will work especially well if you're sharing a Guinness Shepherd's/Cottage Pie for St. Patrick's Day.
Mini Bread Rolls (With Yeast and Potatoes)
Cooks in 190 minutesDifficulty: MediumPesto Rolls
Cooks in 140 minutesDifficulty: MediumThe zip of fresh herbs, saltiness of Parmesan, and the richness of oil permeate the perfectly soft dough for a rich and flavorful roll.
30-Minute Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls
Cooks in 30 minutes30-Minute Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls, the perfect bread recipe to serve with any meal. Great for holidays, so simple to make. Cheesy, garlicky goodness!
Grandma's Irish Soda Bread
Cooks in 55 minutesIrish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk. This Irish Soda Bread recipe is my grandmother's and has been cherished in my family for years. It's dense, yet soft and has the most incredible crusty exterior.
The Best Garlic Bread You'll Ever Eat
Cooks in 20 minutesThis is the BEST homemade garlic bread you'll ever make. It has fresh herbs, tons of flavorful roasted garlic, and is perfectly toasted. This easy garlic bread recipe is delicious served with your fav pasta dishes & comfort foods, and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Easy Crusty French Bread
Cooks in 2 hours 30 minutesEasy dutch oven bread ready in just a few hours - no overnight rise needed.
Steakhouse-Style Pumpernickel Bread Recipe
My Outback Steakhouse-inspired, lightly-sweet and perfect with butter, Steakhouse-Style Pumpernickel Bread recipe is one you'll make all the time.
Garlic Cheddar Beer Bread
Cooks in 55 minutesWhip up a loaf of this Garlic Cheddar Beer Bread in practically no time - and with NO yeast!
Hot Vegetables
If you want a healthy side dish, go for something very simple - hot vegetables roasted, sauteed, and topped with fresh herbs. Here are a few suggestions.
Simple Skillet Green Beans
Cooks in 15 minutesThese simple skillet green beans are a perfect healthy side dish. They are made in one pot with garlic, olive oil and a little spice. They are vegan, paleo and naturally gluten-free.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cooks in 35 minutesLearn how to cook Brussels sprouts with this easy recipe! Bright, fresh, and delicious, it's the perfect holiday side dish.
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Cooks in 70 minutesThese roasted root vegetables are totally addicting! Easy, healthy and colorful side dish with root vegetables, garlic, herbs and olive oil.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Cooks in 40 minutesEasy Maple Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash. Cubes of butternut squash tossed with maple syrup, cinnamon, and rosemary, roasted to caramelized perfection.
How to Cook Frozen Corn
Cooks in 15 minutesWant to know the secret to making frozen corn taste delicious? Kick your corn side dish up a notch with How to Cook Frozen Corn (the RIGHT way)!
Desserts
I suggest choosing a simple dish with simple ingredients for your desserts. These are all great options to complement the rich flavors of the pie.
Berry Cobbler
Cooks in 1 hour 5 minutesUse your favorite fresh or frozen berries. If using frozen, do not thaw. For extra help, read the recipe notes before beginning.
Fresh Peach Crumb Bars
Cooks in 65 minutesThis simple, easy recipe can be adapted to any of your favorite fresh summer fruits!
Sex in a Pan
Cooks in 65 minutesThis Sex in a Pan has a crazy name for a dessert, but its one of the best desserts youll ever have, it's mostly a pudding dessert with a crunchy pecan bottom crust.
5 Minute Strawberry Dessert
Cooks in 125 minutesWhip up this incredibly simple Five Minute Strawberry Dessert for any spring or summer celebration! Fresh strawberries and ladyfingers combine to make this a no-fail dessert recipe.
Easy No-Churn Homemade Ice Cream
Cooks in 250 minutesThis simple way to make homemade ice cream calls for just 3 ingredients plus any mix-ins you desire and is ready to eat in just a few hours.
Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
Cooks in 140 minutesThe easiest recipe for a no-bake banana pudding with layers of pudding, wafers, and fresh bananas. This layered no-bake dessert is stunning to serve and so easy to make.
Easy Chocolate Dessert
Cooks in 75 minutesThis delectable dessert has an oreo cookie base that's topped with rich chocolate ganache and a swirl of whipped cream.
Gourmet Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Cooks in 20 minutesA step by step guide for how to make EASY Chocolate Covered Strawberries, including ideas for toppings and a guide for making a DIY strawberry bouquet.
Wines/Beverages
- Shepherd's Pie Wine Pairing Options
- Making Shepherd's Pie with Lamb? Read this: What Cocktails Go With Lamb
- Making Cottage Pie with Beef? Read this article.
Try Anita's Recipe for Guinness Shepherd's Pie here!
P.S. What is Shepherd's Pie (or Cottage Pie)
Shepherd's Pie is the epitome of a hearty meal and a cherished traditional British dish. At its core, this culinary delight is a comforting medley of flavors and textures. The foundation of the dish is the succulent mixture of ground meat, often featuring the rich and distinctive taste of ground lamb. This flavorful meaty layer is then crowned with a generous topping of creamy mashed potatoes, creating a harmonious contrast between the savory filling and the velvety smoothness above. With its origins deeply rooted in British culinary heritage, every forkful of traditional Shepherd's Pie offers a nostalgic taste of warmth and satisfaction.
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