The Best Venison Shepherd’s Pie
Venison Shepherd’s Pie is the most perfect, nourishing and delicious comfort meal you can make with your ground Venison! It uses wholesome ingredients, is incredibly easy to make and is full of flavour.
Every year when Fall rolls around and our freezer is restocked with ground game meat, I just cannot wait to make this Venison Shepherd’s Pie! It is arguably our most favourite meat to make using ground meat, and everyone loves it.
Shepherd’s Pie is a classic dish that we all know and love. It is typically made with white potatoes but I think making it with sweet potatoes instead is a game changer! The sweet potatoes add a subtle sweetness that bring more flavour and complement the savoury meat mixture so well.
You can use any type of ground large wild game meat you have for this recipe. It is delicious made with venison, elk, moose, beef and more. If you enjoy make ahead meals to freeze or even for lunches throughout the week this is a great recipe for that. I find it tastes even better for leftovers, as the flavours continue to meld together. It will last for up to five days in the refrigerator or can be frozen for up to a month.
Tips for Making Venison Shepherd’s Pie
- Use ground wild game meat that has 10-20% pork fat or pork shoulder in it. Most butchers will include this already when they grind your meat, and if you grind it yourself make sure you add some fat. This gives you additional flavours and a much juicier and tender texture to your grout meat.
- Opt for fresh herbs in this recipe if you can. Going fresh over dried will give you stronger, more vibrant flavour from the herbs.
- If you have an immersion (hand) blender at home, I recommend using this to mash your sweet potatoes. The immersion blender makes the most creamy, and silky smooth mashed potatoes for the top of your Shepherd’s pie.
- When you bake the Shepherd’s pie, place the baking dish on top of a baking sheet for in the oven. Doing this, will help prevent any melted cheese from spilling over the sides and getting stuck on the bottom of your oven.
Venison Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients
Ground Venison– As mentioned above you can make this recipe with ground venison, beef, elk, moose etc.
Sweet Potatoes– The substitution of sweet potatoes or yams for white potatoes adds much more flavour to this shepherd’s pie.
Bacon– This is a fun addition that makes this recipe even better! use homemade or store-bought.
Onion- White or yellow onion are best for this recipe.
Garlic– Always use fresh whole garlic over pre minced garlic.
Broth– Beef broth or any homemade venison broth work great.
Carrots– An essential vegetable in every shepherd’s pie, that add a bite and a touch of sweetness.
Peas– Frozen peas are all you need for this recipe. If you really dislike peas, you can skip them.
Fresh Herbs– Fresh rosemary and thyme add the perfect, earthiness to this recipe.
Worcestershire Sauce– If you are gluten free, use a gluten free Worcestershire sauce.
Tomato Paste– You can use tomato paste OR ketchup in this recipe. Both work and are delicious.
Cheddar Cheese– Freshly grated cheddar cheese goes on top of the shepherd’s pie. I like to use an old cheddar for a stronger flavour.
Cornstarch– To help thicken the meat mixture, there is small addition of cornstarch instead of flour to keep it gluten free.
The Steps
1. Preheat your oven to 400F.
2. Start by peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes. Add them to a pot of salted water and boil until fork tender.
3. While the potatoes are cooking, brown the meat in a hot skillet until almost cooked through.
4. Then add in the onion, garlic, carrots and chopped bacon. Continue to cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the bacon is cooked and the carrots are tender.
5. Next, add in the broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, rosemary, thyme, and some salt and pepper. Once it is all mixed, add in the peas, then give it a taste and add any more salt and pepper if needed.
6. Finally, pour in the cornstarch mixture and cook until the mixture has thickened slightly.
7. Remove from the heat, and spoon the meat filling into an 8 inch square pan or any casserole dish similar in size.
8. Strain the cooked sweet potatoes and mash them with the 2 tbsp of butter and some salt and pepper. Then spread the mashed potatoes over the meat filling.
9. Top the shepherd’s pie with the shredded sharp cheddar, then bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, golden and bubbly.
10. Allow the Shepherd’s pie to cool for a couple minutes, before serving, Enjoy!
If you give this recipe a try, leave a comment or review below!
Looking for more delicious recipes using ground Venison?
https://cmbarndominium.com/the-best-venison-stroganoff-sourdough-pasta/
https://cmbarndominium.com/best-ever-venison-lasagna-soup/
https://cmbarndominium.com/healthy-greek-meatball-bowls-with-lemon-dill-sauce/
Rich and flavorful Shepherd's Pie made with ground Venison and topped with smooth sweet potatoes and gooey sharp cheddar. The best, simple and nourishing comfort meal. 1. Preheat your oven to 400F. 2. Start by peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes. Add them to a pot of salted water and boil until fork tender. 3. While the potatoes are cooking, brown the meat in a hot skillet until almost cooked through. 4. Then add in the onion, garlic, carrots and chopped bacon. Continue to cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the bacon is cooked and the carrots are tender. 5. Next, add in the broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, rosemary, thyme, and some salt and pepper. Once it is all mixed, add in the peas, then give it a taste and add any more salt and pepper if needed. 6. Finally, pour in the cornstarch mixture and cook until the mixture has thickened slightly. 7. Remove from the heat, and spoon the meat filling into an 8 inch square pan or any casserole dish similar in size. 8. Strain the cooked sweet potatoes and mash them with the 2 tbsp of butter and some salt and pepper. Then spread the mashed potatoes over the meat filling. 9. Top the shepherd's pie with the shredded sharp cheddar, then bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, golden and bubbly. 10. Allow the Shepherd's pie to cool for a couple minutes, before serving, Enjoy! * This shepherd's pie is equally delicious using any ground red meat. Beef or wild game! * You can make this shepherd's pie ahead of time, and keep it in the fridge. Throw it in the oven for 30 minutes and you are ready to enjoy! * Store this Shepherd's pie cooked, in the freezer for up to a month. 
Venison Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
