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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.
Side Dishes for Shepherds Pie
If you want to go beyond simply serving a Shepherd's Pie, I'm sharing great sides from 6 categories: Salads, Appetizers, Breads, Hot Vegetables, Desserts, and Beverages.
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!
Kilt Lettuce Appalachian Salad - The Storied Recipe
Fresh varieties of lettuce are topped with a delicious dressing of bacon fat and vinegar - watch out for the popping when the grease kills the lettuce!
Cucumber and Tomato Salad - Easy vegan side dish for summer!
You’re going to love this vegan cucumber and tomato salad for all those times you need a summery side dish that comes together in a snap!
How to make Lettuce Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe
About 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 - Once Upon a Chef
Capture the essence of summer with this easy, make-ahead fresh corn salad——simply toss it together, and it's ready to serve whenever you are!
Peach Salad | The Mediterranean Dish
Peach salad with goat cheese, arugula, and basil is the sweet and savory summer salad recipe that will have your taste buds singing.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe
This Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad has simple ingredients that are a winning combination. Refreshing and flavorful! A new favorite cucumber tomato feta salad!
Sweet and Crunchy Carrot Salad
My favorite Carrot Salad! This easy recipe takes less than 20 minutes to assemble and is the perfect make-ahead dish for a potluck or party.
Colorful Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa and Spinach
Reset with this healthy superfood salad featuring raw beets, carrot, quinoa, spinach, edamame and avocado. It's as colorful as it is nutritious!
Best Bell Pepper Salad | A Spicy Perspective
Best Bell Pepper Salad - This delightfully crunchy 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 Recipe
A delicious recipe for chopped Caprese salad! Only 5 ingredients for his crowd-pleasing vegetarian appetizer dish that is so easy to toss together for any occasion. Summer cookouts, potluck dinners, family apps, or a lunch for one. Easy to make in a big batch for many people or a small amount for a few side dishes. Gluten-free and low carb with fresh basil, mozzarella, chopped tomato, and balsamic vinegar or glaze!
Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad
Easy, healthy, delicious crunchy lemon parmesan salad based off the viral tiktok salad that takes less than 15 minutes with tons of flavor!
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 recipes fit the bill.
Tiropita Recipe: Easy Greek Cheese Pie Triangles - The Storied Recipe
Tiropitas, or Greek Cheese Pies, are crispy, creamy, salty, parcels of bliss. Five easy ingredients inside an easy-to-fold package of filo (phyllo) dough.
Ghanaian Kelewele: Best Spicy Fried Plantain Recipe - The Storied Recipe
Recipe for Kelewele - a delicious fried plantain recipe originating from Ghana. Toss ripe plantain cubes in a flavorful blend of spices before deep-frying them to golden brown perfection.
Black Bean Salsa
Transform canned beans into fresh, colorful, and delicious Black Bean Salsa, an easy recipe guaranteed to please.
Parmesan Cauliflower Bites - Just 5 Ingredients!
Crispy Parmesan Cauliflower Bites will be the hit of your party or dinner table! They're low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free and easy to make
Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewers.
Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewers...the fun, colorful, delicious, and pretty summer appetizer that we're all looking for right now!
Baked Zucchini Chips (Recipe + Video) - A Spicy Perspective
Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips are a healthy paleo-friendly snack recipe that is loaded with flavor and crunch, yet light in calories!
Stuffed Cucumber Bites Appetizer
Stuffed cucumber bites. Super easy, but impressive appetizer recipe. Everyone loves this! Easy to prepare and eat. Cucumber bites are yummy!
Mini Falafel Bites
These mini falafel bites can be used as snacks, party appetizers or accompany a delicious mashed potato with salad meal.
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 (Soft, Adorable Dinner Rolls) - The Storied Recipe
Soft mini bread rolls are enriched with potatoes for a hearty flavor, creamy texture, and subtle sweetness. The most adorable mini dinner rolls!!
Basil Pesto Spiral Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls - The Storied Recipe
The zip of fresh herbs, saltiness of Parmesan, and the richness of oil permeate the perfectly soft dough for a rich and flavorful Pesto Roll.
30-Minute Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls
30-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 - Sally's Baking Addiction
This Irish soda bread recipe is my grandmother's and has been cherished in my family for years. You only need 7 ingredients and just 10 minutes of prep!
The Best Garlic Bread You'll Ever Eat | Ambitious Kitchen
The BEST garlic bread has fresh herbs, tons of flavorful garlic, and is perfectly toasted. This garlic bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Traditional Yorkshire Pudding
One of the most beloved icons of British culture, this authentic Yorkshire Pudding recipe yields the perfect texture and flavor!
Easy Crusty French Bread (VIDEO)
A homemade artisan bread recipe for bakery-fresh bread at home! Ready in just a few hours with a crispy, crunchy dutch oven crust. Vegetarian, Vegan.
Steakhouse-Style Pumpernickel Bread - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking
My Outback Steakhouse-inspired, lightly sweet, and perfect with butter, Steakhouse-Style Pumpernickel Bread recipe is one to keep on hand.
Cooked 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 | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
This popular recipe for simple skillet green beans with garlic takes only 15 minutes and is the perfect easy side dish with any meal!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Love and Lemons
This easy roasted Brussels sprouts recipe is a delicious side dish! The golden brown, crispy sprouts are tossed in a zingy Lemon Parmesan dressing.
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
These roasted root vegetables are totally addicting! Easy, healthy and colorful side dish with root vegetables, garlic, herbs and olive oil.
Roasted Butternut Squash
Easy Roasted Butternut Squash. Cubes of butternut squash tossed with maple syrup, cinnamon, and rosemary, roasted to caramelized perfection.
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.
Easy Flaky Homemade Apple Strudel with Puff Pastry
Flaky puff pastry encircles chunks of juicy apples, rum-soaked raisins, and crunchy walnuts in this old-fashioned Apple Strudel recipe - authentic, yet made more easily and quickly with puff pastry.
Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie (with Condensed Milk) - The Storied Recipe
This old-fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie has a fresh, zesty lemony custard, soft meringue topping, and firm buttery cookie crust.
Nesselrode Pie Recipe (Vintage New York Dessert) - The Storied Recipe
Nesselrode Pie is a nostalgic New York dessert that's rich and indulgent. A light and smooth chestnut custard filling is spiked with dark rum and studded with sweet cherries, then topped with fluffy whipped cream and decadent chocolate shavings.
Kalter Hund: German No-Bake Layered Chocolate Biscuit Cake - The Storied Recipe
This layered, no-bake cake delivers chocolate as it's meant to be: completely and utterly decadent, rich, creamy, and solid but soft.
EASY Chocolate Mousse in 5 Minutes | Kitchen Cents
Airy easy chocolate mousse recipe with ONLY 3 ingredients. Ready in 5 minutes or less. The perfect chocolate-lover quick fix!
Easy Cherry Cobbler - Sally's Baking Addiction
Made from just 9 ingredients, this easy cherry cobbler is one of the simplest desserts you could make with fresh cherries.
Peach Crumble Bars Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon
Easy homemade peach crumble bars with a buttery oat crumb topping and a sweet and gooey peach filling. Egg free and gluten free friendly.
BEST Apple Coffee Cake Recipe
Apple Coffee Cake is the best breakfast or brunch recipe for fall - an Apple Cinnamon Cake with crumb streusel on top! It's DELISH!
Strawberry Dream Dessert: no bake strawberry cream cheese dessert
I thought I hit the jackpot with pineapple dream, but this strawberry dream dessert runs a close second! A delicious strawberry cream cheese dessert!
The Best (and Easiest) Ice Cream You'll Ever Make
This homemade ice cream recipe can also be called the easiest (and best!) ice cream you will ever make or taste! Everyone LOVES it!
The Best Quick Southern Banana Pudding Recipe • Southern Shelle
Need a quick banana pudding recipe? The satisfying combo of creamy layers of pudding, bananas and vanilla wafers are an instant hit.
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.
More What to Serve With Posts
Lists for Inspiration
Listen to Anita's Episode Now
Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player
Print47 Best Sides For Shepherd's Pie: What to Serve
Description
Recipes by Friends and Guests of The Storied Recipe
Ingredients
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Kilt Lettuce Appalachian Salad from Lauren, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Balsamic Cucumber Salad from Taste of Home
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Lettuce Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar from Slurrp
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Fresh Corn Salad from Once Upon A Chef
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Peach Salad with Basil and Goat Cheese from The Mediterranean Dish
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Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad from Natasha's Kitchen
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Carrot Salad from Detoxinista
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Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa, and Spinach from Cookie and Katie
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Bell Pepper Salad from A Spicy Perspective
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Chopped Caprese Salad from Trial and Eater
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Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad from Sweet C's Designs
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Greek Kale Salad with Lemon, Olive Oil Dressing from Gimme Delicious
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Black Bean Salsa from Culinary Hill
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Parmesan Cauliflower Bites from Dinner Mom
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Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewers from Half Baked Harvest
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Baked Zucchini Chips from A Spicy Perspective
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Stuffed Cucumber Bites from Joe's Healthy Meals
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Mini Falafel Bites from Gourmandelle
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Sweet Potato Puffs from What Molly Made
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Kelewele: Spicy Fried Plantains from Adjwoa, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Tiropitas Greek Cheese Pies from Dilka, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Mini Bread Rolls from Laura, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Pesto Rolls from Daniella, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls from Klein Worth Co
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Grandma's Irish Soda Bread from Sally's Baking Addiction
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Garlic Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
- Yorkshire Puddings from Daring Gourmet
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French Bread from Life As A Strawberry
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Pumpernickel Bread from Bigger Bolder Baking
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Garlic Cheddar Beer Bread from The Chunky Chef
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Green Beans from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
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Brussels Sprouts from Love and Lemons
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Root Vegetables from Tori Avey
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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash from Well Plated
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Corn from Fav Family Recipes
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Puff Pastry Apple Strudel from Daniela, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Lemon Icebox Pie from Adrian, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Nesselrode Pie from Geraldine, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Katler Hund: German No Bake Rich Chocolate and Biscuit Cake from Selina, Guest of The Storied Recipe
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Chocolate Mousse from Kitchen Cents
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Cherry Cobbler from Sally's Baking Addiction
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Peach Crumble Bars from Saving Dessert
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Apple Coffee Cake from Crazy For Crust
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Strawberry Dream Dessert from Amanda's Cookin
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Homemade Ice Cream from Barefeet In The Kitchen
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Banana Pudding from Southern Shelle
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Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Handle The Heat
Instructions
What to serve with Shepherd's Pie - 47 fresh, simple, and delicious sides to pair perfectly with this rich and hearty dish.
Would love to hear from you!