Wine-Braised Beef Shepherd’s Pie

In case you didn’t know, St. Patrick’s Day is coming right up so I made you Wine-Braised Beef Shepherd’s Pie to celebrate!

For the past three years I’ve shared some sort of Shepherd’s Pie on the blog for St. Patrick’s Day. Kind of weird, but also kind of awesome. In 2011 it was a super-easy Skillet Shepherd’s Pie, in 2012 a mouthwatering Shepherd’s Pie with Healthier Mashed Potatoes (that actually taste good!) (coined by my mashed-potatoes-obsessed husband so you know they pass the test!) and last year I shared fun Shepherd’s Pie Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes.

What can I say, I love me a good tradition!

This year I’m going a tad grown-up with this luscious, wine-braised version of Shepherd’s Pie. Forget the green beer – celebrate St. Patty’s Day with red wine. And meat! And potatoes!

Ahem.

That is to say, the combination of chuck roast braised in red wine and beef broth until it’s fall apart-tender then baked underneath a pile of pillowy mashed potatoes is just divine. Comfort food with a little class – on account of the wine, of course.

Start by cutting a 1-1/2 – 2lb chuck roast into big hunks then seasoning the hunks liberally with salt and pepper. This is a LOT of meat, so don’t be stingy with the seasoning!

Heat 2 Tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil in a large Dutch Oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat then sear the meat on the top and bottom until a golden brown crust has been formed. Don’t move the meat around while it’s searing otherwise you won’t get that great crust.

Next build your veggie arsenal which includes 1 chopped carrot, 1 chopped celery stalk, and 1 chopped shallot (could use a small onion.)

Add the veggies to the pot then stir ’em around and saute until they’re tender, about 8 minutes.

Next sprinkle in 2 Tablespoons gluten-free (I like white or brown rice flour) or all-purpose flour then stir it around for a minute.

Finally, pour in 2 cups red wine (I used Cabernet…mmmm…Cabernet,) 15oz can gluten-free beef broth, and 3/4 cup water. Turn the heat up to high to bring the liquid to a boil then turn the heat down to medium-low and place a lid on top.

Simmer the meat for 2 – 2-1/2 hours, rotating halfway through, until it shreds very easily. Your house will smell insane, by the way.

Oh yeah!

Once the beef is tender, remove then shred. Try your hardest not to down this entire plate. The end result will be worth it!

If the liquid is still…liquidy…let it bubble and reduce until slightly thickened then add the meat back into the Dutch Oven and add 1-1/2 cups frozen peas.

Scoop the mixture into a 2-1/2 quart casserole dish, then set it aside for a sec.

Mashed potato time! When the meat has about 30 minutes to cook, boil 2lbs peeled and chopped potatoes then drain and mash with 4 Tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup milk, salt, and pepper.

Dollop the mashed potatoes onto the meat mixture then bake on top of a baking sheet for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees.

Scoop the silky mashed potato topped meat mixture simmering in the thick and luxurious sauce into bowls, then devour!

Wine-Braised Beef Shepherd’s Pie

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gluten free

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4/5 (4 REVIEWS)

Description

Gluten-free Wine-Braised Beef Shepherd's Pie is hearty and comforting. Full of delicious flavors!

Ingredients

serves 6

• 2-3lb chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat then cut into big hunks
• salt and pepper
• 2 Tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 large shallot, chopped (or 1/2 onion)
• 2 Tablespoons gluten-free or all-purpose flour
• 2 cups red wine (I used Cabernet)
• 15oz can beef broth
• 3/4 cup water
• 1-1/2 cups peas (fresh or frozen)
• For the mashed potatoes: 
  • 2lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped (about 3 medium-sized potatoes)
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk (may need more)
  • salt and pepper

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large Dutch Oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season beef on all sides liberally with salt and pepper then place inside Dutch Oven and sear for 3-4 minutes on the top and bottom, until a golden brown crust has formed. Add carrots, celery, and shallots then cook until vegetables are tender, 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle in flour then stir and cook for 1 more minute.
2. Pour in wine, beef broth, and water then bring to a boil. Place a lid on top of the Dutch Oven then turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 2 - 2-1/2 hours, or until beef can be easily shredded, turning beef over halfway through. Remove meat then shred. If liquid is not thickened, turn heat up and simmer until thickened then return beef to the pot and add peas. Transfer mixture to an oven-safe, 2-1/2 quart casserole dish set atop a baking sheet then preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. About 30 minutes before the beef is done, add potatoes to a large pot of cold water then bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender. Drain then mash with butter milk, salt and pepper. Spread on top of meat mixture then bake for 10-12 minutes, or until light golden brown on top.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

This would be a wonderful meal to make next weekend. Slow cook for a few hours in the afternoon on the stove, then top with mashed potatoes and enjoy. Savory, luscious, hearty and comforting. Definitely my favorite Shepherd’s Pie recipe to date. Enjoy!