Shepherd’s Pie with Guinness Stout

What We're Cooking

B&P Shepherd’s Pie (with Guinness)

At Birdy & Pretzels, we love comfort food that feels timeless but still has a little personality. Our B&P Shepherd’s Pie is exactly that — hearty, deeply savory, and built around a rich gravy made with Guinness stout.

This version uses ground beef, carrots, and celery for a classic, cozy base, but the real magic happens when the Guinness blends with tomato paste and beef broth. As it simmers, the stout adds depth and richness that turns the filling into a velvety, flavorful gravy.

And of course, we finish it with our signature B&P mashed potatoes — prepped ahead of time using a little trick that makes assembling the pie almost effortless.

The B&P Way to Shepherd’s Pie

Instead of spooning mashed potatoes directly onto the filling, we prepare the topping ahead of time. (Use those leftover mashed potatoes!)

Our signature mashed potatoes are spread onto a parchment-lined lid from the Dutch oven used to cook the filling. This shapes the potatoes into a perfect round that matches the pot. Once spread out, the mashed potatoes are placed in the freezer until firm. Remove parchment paper and either wrap your potato topper in plastic wrap or place in a Zip-loc bag and place back into the freezer.

When it’s time to finish the shepherd’s pie, you simply pull the frozen potato topper from the freezer and place it directly over the filling. It fits perfectly, keeps the layers neat, and creates a beautifully structured pie every time.

It’s simple, clever, and very B&P.

the ingredients

2 lb. Ground Beef
2 oz Butter
1 medium (10 oz) Yellow Onion, diced
4 large (12 oz) Carrots, peeled + cubed
6 (7 oz) Stalks Celery, chopped
2 clove Garlic, minced
2 TBS Flour
6 oz Tomato Paste
11 oz Guinness Stout
16 oz Beef Broth
20 ml Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 tsp Ground Thyme
Salt + Pepper to taste
10 oz Frozen Peas
B&P Mashed Potatoes to top

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a Dutch oven, brown Ground Beef over medium-high heat, drain and set aside.
3. Using the same Dutch oven, over medium heat melt butter sauté Onion, Carrots & Celery. Once onions are translucent and Carrots & Celery are slightly tender add in Minced Garlic, Salt/Pepper & Ground Thyme and cook 2-3 minutes.
3. Sprinkle vegetables with Flour and mix in.
4. Reduce heat to medium/low & add in your Tomato Paste and mix till fully incorporated.
5. Pour in Guinness & Beef Broth, allow mixture to simmer & gravy to thicken, stirring regularly. Add Ground Beef back into your filling.
6. Once gravy is at desired consistency add in Frozen Peas. Do a final taste test and adjust seasonings as needed.
7. Clean up sides of your Dutch oven and top with Mashed Potatoes. Bake 25-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
8. Enjoy!

Why This Shepherd’s Pie Belongs on Your St. Patrick’s Day Table

If you're planning a St. Patrick’s Day meal, this shepherd’s pie deserves a spot on the menu.
Firstly, one pan only.
Second, the Guinness stout ties the dish directly to Irish tradition while adding incredible depth to the gravy. As it cooks down with tomato paste and beef broth, it creates a rich, savory base that feels festive without being complicated.
Third, it’s the perfect crowd-pleaser. Shepherd’s pie is hearty, comforting, and easy to serve for a group — whether you're hosting friends, feeding family, or just celebrating the day at home.
And finally, the make-ahead mashed potato topper makes entertaining easier. With the potatoes already frozen and ready to go, assembling the pie is quick and stress-free.
It’s warm, satisfying, and packed with flavor — everything a St. Patrick’s Day comfort dish should be.

Comfort Food, the B&P Way

This shepherd’s pie is everything we love about classic comfort food: rich gravy, hearty vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes. The Guinness adds depth, while the frozen mashed potato topper trick keeps things easy and beautifully layered.

It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for sharing.

Just the way we like it at Birdy & Pretzels.

Want more flavor-packed ideas from Birdy & Pretzels? Subscribe to our monthly crate subscription and gain full access to the B&P VIP experience or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok [@birdypretzels] for weekly recipes, snack inspiration, and behind-the-scenes goodness from our kitchen.

Strong Women
May we know them
May we be them
May we raise them
May we encourage them
Tits up, let’s get up and go!