The Beer You Should Be Adding To Homemade Shepherd's Pie

Very few dishes can match the homemade comfort of a shepherd's pie. This hearty dish features a rich filling of minced lamb (the traditional choice) or beef, combined with a rich gravy of carrots, onions, and peas, all topped with a generous layer of creamy, golden mashed potatoes. The recipe is already perfect, but there are plenty of secret ingredients that can take it up a notch. One ingredient that takes your pie to the next level is Guinness. To find out why this dark stout and shepherd's pie are a match made in foodie heaven, Food Republic spoke with David Davidov, recipe developer and creator of The Cooking Foodie.

"Guinness adds deep roasted flavor, slight bitterness, and richness that works incredibly well with lamb or beef," Davidov explained. "It brings a slow-cooked taste, even if you are making a quicker version at home." The reason for its signature toasty flavor is the use of barley that's roasted at very high temperatures before being milled and added to the mash, which gives Guinness its deep color and characteristic roasted coffee and chocolate notes. It's an inherently rich drink, so it's no surprise that it's the perfect pairing for a classic comfort dish like shepherd's pie. To incorporate Guinness into a shepherd's pie, simply add it in along with your braising liquid when cooking the filling down. Let it simmer, and allow it to reduce down into a rich, meaty sauce.

Beyond taking the flavor of your shepherd's pie to the next level, Guinness also does wonders for the overall texture and depth of the meat mixture. "It thickens the sauce naturally and adds body," David Davidov told us. "The filling becomes silkier, richer, and more flavorful without needing heavy cream or lots of extra fat." To make the sauce extra thick, add a spoonful of flour or a cornstarch slurry to help the Guinness reduce down into a velvety stew-like consistency. 

When adding Guinness to a shepherd's pie, it's best not to pour in the whole can — tempting as that may be. Guinness has a strong, distinct flavor, and too much can leave your pie tasting a little too rich and boozy. Instead, add it in small splashes and taste as you go until you hit a rich, savory balance of flavors.

To those of you skipping alcohol altogether, we've got good news. Guinness also makes a popular alcohol-free version, so you can still get all the malty richness without the booze. In addition, plenty of other substitutes can add similar depth and richness to your dish. "You can use any dark stout beer, beef stock with a splash of balsamic vinegar, or even strong coffee mixed with broth," Davidov recommended. "The goal is to add depth and slight bitterness." Another unexpected ingredient that can work exceptionally well in a shepherd's pie is cocoa powder, which makes perfect sense considering one of the main notes of Guinness is dark chocolate. If you still don't trust us, just consider how well cocoa powder pairs with chili.