Easy Shepherd’s Pie With Hidden Beef Liver
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A simple shepherd’s pie is one of my favourite meals for incorporating beef liver, as it blends in beautifully! This comforting dish features mashed potatoes, ground beef, liver, and a medley of mixed vegetables, making it not only nutritious but also incredibly easy to prepare.
I have to say, shepherd’s pie does not picture well but that doesn’t make it any less delicious! The ultimate nutritious comfort food. Using the instant pot for mashed potatoes with always be the way for me, it’s so easy and fast! And adding liver cubes to the ground beef couldn’t make the process any smoother!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Recipe Tips
Plan Ahead: Next time you make mashed potatoes for a meal, make extra! Store in the fridge and use the extra to top your Shepherd’s Pie.
Make Double: I like to double this recipe. Make one for dinner and assemble another for the freezer. One less meal to make later!
Use Liver Cubes: Keep this recipe clean and tidy by using pre-made ground liver cubes. Learn how to make liver cubes here.
Boil Potatoes in the Instant Pot: I like to boil potatoes in the Instant Pot. Just set it and forget it, ready in minutes!
Place a Sheet Below Your Pie: When you’re baking the Shepherd’s Pie, place a baking sheet below your pie incase the mixture bubbles over.
The Benefits of Beef Liver for General Health
Beef liver is often called a superfood because it’s packed with nutrients that can greatly benefit your health. Here are some simple reasons why adding liver to your diet can be a good idea:
- Loaded with Nutrients: Liver is full of important vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin D, and B vitamins. Liver especially high in vitamin B12, which is great for your energy and helps keep your blood and nerves healthy .
- Great Source of Iron: Liver is rich in a type of iron that your body can easily absorb. This can help prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia, which makes you feel tired and weak .
- High in Protein: Liver provides a lot of high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, making hormones, and supporting your immune system .
- Good for Your Brain and Liver: Liver is one of the best sources of choline, a nutrient that supports brain function and helps your liver process fats effectively .
- Contains Antioxidants: Liver has antioxidants like glutathione, which help protect your cells from damage and support your body’s natural detox processes .
- Supports Vision and Skin Health: Liver is extremely rich in vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function.
Ingredients
- potatoes
- water
- butter
- milk
- salt
- pepper
- shredded cheese
- diced onion
- diced carrot
- garlic
- ground beef
- ground liver
- peas (frozen or canned)
- cumin
- thyme
- rosemary
- parsley
- flour
- broth (or water)
Materials
- Instant Pot
- Large Pan
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- 8″x 8″ Baking Dish
- Potato Masher
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook Potatoes: Chop the potatoes and add them to your Instant Pot. Add enough water to cover them. Turn the valve to ‘sealing’ and set to manual pressure cook for 8 minutes.
- Release Pressure: After 8 minutes, quickly release the pressure valve and strain out the water.
- Mash Potatoes: Add butter, milk, salt and pepper. Mash using a potato masher or an immersion blender until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Meat Mixture
- Sauté Onions: In a large pan over medium-high heat, add your choice of fat. Once melted, add the finely diced onions.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown Meat: Add the ground beef and ground liver (or frozen liver cubes) to the pan. Break up the meat and cook until browned.
- Add Peas, Carrots and Spices: Stir in the frozen or canned peas and diced carrots. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
- Thicken Mixture: Sprinkle flour over the meat mixture and stir to combine. Gradually add the broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for 20 minutes or until thickened.
Assemble Shepherd’s Pie
- Layer Meat Mixture: In an 8″ x 8″ baking dish, add the meat mixture and spread it evenly.
- Top with Mashed Potatoes and Cheese: Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat layer, spreading it evenly. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your nutrient dense beef and liver shepherd’s pie!
Recipe FAQ
Shepherd’s Pie With Beef Liver
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- 3-4 large potatoes 2 lbs
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheese optional
Meat Mixture
- 2 tbsp fat butter, lard, olive oil or tallow
- 1 onion finely diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2-4 oz ground liver or 1-2 frozen liver cubes
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin and/or other desired spices
- 1 tsp thyme dried or fresh
- 1 tsp rosemary dried or fresh
- 1 tsp parsley dried or fresh
- 1 cup broth beef or vegetable
Instructions
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Cook Potatoes: Chop the potatoes and add them to your Instant Pot. Add enough water to cover them. Turn the valve to 'sealing' and set to manual pressure cook for 8 minutes.
- Release Pressure: After 8 minutes, quickly release the pressure valve and strain out the water.
- Mash Potatoes: Add butter, milk, salt and pepper. Mash using a potato masher until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Meat Mixture
- Sauté Onion: In a large pan over medium-high heat, add your choice of fat. Once melted, add the finely diced onion. Sauté until the onions are soft.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown Meat: Add the ground beef and ground liver (or frozen liver cubes) to the pan. Break up the meat and cook until browned.
- Add Peas, Carrots and Spices: Stir in the frozen or canned peas and diced carrots. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
- Thicken Mixture: Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Gradually add the broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for 20 minutes or until thickened.
Assemble Shepherd's Pie
- Layer Meat Mixture: In an 8" x 8" baking dish, add the meat mixture and spread it evenly.
- Top with Mashed Potatoes: Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat layer, spreading it evenly. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your nutrient dense beef and liver shepherd's pie!
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