Shepherd's pie vs. cottage pie: Everything there is to know about these two delicious recipes and how you can tell them apart! You've probably seen these terms used interchangeably, but they are not the same! Keep reading to learn more about the key difference between shepherd's pie and cottage pie!
Difference Between Shepherd's Pie And Cottage Pie
Like Gordon Ramsay, I'm a real stickler for using the appropriate term when referring to a shepherd's pie. If it's made with beef, while delicious, that's technically not what is being advertised!
I expect rich, buttery lamb meat or mutton when I bite into a shepherd's pie. It's an all-too-common misconception that shepherd's pie and cottage pie are names that can be used interchangeably. So what's really the difference?
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What Is Shepherd's Pie vs. Cottage Pie
Shepherd's pie is a one-pan meal that is similar to a casserole and is typically baked in a baking dish. It began in Scotland and then quickly grew in popularity in Northern England and Ireland.
Once the dish reached Ireland, they decided to use their abundance of potatoes in place of a traditional pie crust. Rather than slice or dice them, they opted to mash them and created the mashed potato topping we know and love today.
Shepherd's pie includes minced or ground meat, vegetables, and a rich gravy that is baked beneath a mashed potato topping. Cottage pie is the same, except for one distinct difference- it uses beef instead of lamb! That's it!
Why Is It Called Shepherd's Pie
When you think about it, the answer is all in the name! Shepherd's pie features lamb meat or mutton because it was a popular meal amongst Irish shepherds who tended herds of lamb.
For shepherds, lamb meat was the most readily available protein. So naturally, they incorporated it into many meals!
Why Is It Called Cottage Pie
The term 'cottage' is in reference to this dish's humble beginnings. This was a common dinner for the lower class, who were too poor for more premium ingredients.
For the average citizen, beef was much more accessible than lamb meat. The other ingredients, like carrots and potatoes, were inexpensive and easy to source. So, they swapped the lamb for beef and kept the recipe the same.
What Is Cumberland Pie
A Cumberland pie is very similar to a cottage pie, with a few exceptions. The filling is still a savory mixture of beef and vegetables, and it does feature a potato topping.
Traditionally, a Cumberland pie has sliced potatoes on top rather than mashed. However, you will see many modern recipes feature a mashed potato topping.
It's also more common to use diced beef rather than ground or minced beef like cottage pie. The defining factor lies in the cheese and breadcrumbs that are sprinkled on top and baked until golden and crispy!
How To Tell Shepherd's Pie, Cottage Pie, & Cumberland Pie Apart
Strictly speaking, shepherd's pie is the appropriate term solely for a pie containing lamb or mutton.
The same pie made with beef should be referred to as cottage pie.
If you'd prefer to garnish your pie with breadcrumbs, it would be more accurate to call it a Cumberland pie!
| Shepherd's Pie | Cottage Pie | Cumberland Pie | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fillings | Meat, Gravy, & Vegetables | Meat, Gravy, & Vegetables | Meat, Gravy, & Vegetables |
| Meat Used | Lamb or Mutton | Beef (minced) | Beef (chunks) |
| Topping | Mashed Potatoes | Mashed Potatoes | Sliced Potatoes or Mashed Potatoes & Breadcrumbs |
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❓ Recipe FAQs
You can easily make a vegetarian version of shepherd's pie by swapping the meat for a ground meat substitute. At that point, you can really call it whatever you want! Vegetarian shepherd's pie or vegetarian cottage pie, they're the same thing since their only defining trait is the meat used.
Though traditional shepherd's pie calls for diced or ground lamb meat (or mutton), you can always put your own spin on it. It's fine to experiment with other cuts of meat, such as beef, turkey, or chicken, to create your own variation of shepherd's or cottage pie.
Neither shepherd's pie nor cottage pie includes a pie crust. They feature a mashed potato topping rather than a traditional pastry pie crust.
When it comes to deciding between shepherd's pie, cottage pie, or Cumberland pie, you really can't go wrong. Each is delicious in its own way, but now you'll know how to refer to them, so you always know what you're getting!
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📖 Recipe Card
Shepherds Pie vs Cottage Pie: What's The Difference (+Gordon Ramsay Shepherd’s Pie!)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 lbs ground lamb
- 2 teaspoon each, salt & pepper (divided into 2 equal portions - 1 teaspoon each)
- 1 large white onion (finely grated)
- 1 large carrot (finely grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely grated)
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon tomato puree (or tomato paste, but then only 1 ½ tablespoons)
- 1 cup dry red wine (I use Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (chopped)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 lbs russet potatoes (washed, peeled and quartered)
- 2 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (reserve some for topping, if desired)
Instructions
The Mince
- Bring a large cast iron skillet, skillet, or frying pan to high heat with the olive oil.
- After the oil is hot, add in the ground lamb. Spread in an even layer and crisp one side, then turn and crisp the bottom side. Break apart the ground lamb after it is browned and crisped. Season the lamb with salt and pepper (use the first portion of salt & pepper, 1 teaspoon of each).
- Add in the onion, garlic, and carrot and cook for about 2-4 minutes till vegetables are soft.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce then the tomato puree and combine. Add in the red wine, thyme and rosemary and cook until most of the wine has evaporated off.
- Pour in the chicken stock and cook for 3-4 minutes. Then turn heat off and set aside.
The Potatoes
- In a large stockpot cover peeled potatoes with water then boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Drain.
- Mash potatoes either with a fork or a ricer if you have one.
- Season with the remaining salt & pepper.
- Stir in the butter, egg yolks and stir very quickly then add the Parmesan cheese and combine well. (Optional - reserve a few tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese for topping the Shepherds pie)
Assembling The Shepherd's Pie
- Spoon the lamb meat into a casserole dish and then top with the potato. Using a spatula run the potatoes completely over the mince filling in any holes. It should look like a smooth mound.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on the top and then using a fork drag along the top of the potatoes (this will give the potatoes a nice crunchy texture where they get raised by the fork).
- Place in your preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow 5-10 minutes to cool before serving.
Mikey says
For quite a while, I thought the distinguishing feature between shepherd's and cottage pie came down to the crust. That was, while shepherds was essentially a casserole, the cottage could be eaten by hand. The reason goes back to the days of my primary school's tuck shop (the Aussie kids' version of the cafeteria, in essence). Meat pies are, or at least were the goated snack food; it was certainly an item where I went. A potato-topped pie was available, getting the name "cottage pie". It took me years to connect the dots of "shepherd"="sheep".
I've cooked cottage pie a few times beforehand; it is great for cold weather and shortage of ingredients (or just biding time until a grocery haul). I also did a pie with the homemade crust, having to go last minute to use some mash as the topping. Either way, I would recommend trying that at least once.