Shepherd’s pie, with its savory meat base and comforting mashed potato topping, is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own. But finding the perfect side dishes can elevate this classic dish to a truly memorable dinner. If you’re wondering what to serve with shepherd’s pie to create a balanced and delicious meal, you’ve come to the right place. This guide offers 20 mouthwatering side dish recipes, from fresh salads and comforting breads to flavorful roasted vegetables and quick air fryer options, ensuring you’ll find the ideal pairings to complement your shepherd’s pie.
Veggies
Vegetables are a fantastic way to add lightness, flavor, and essential nutrients to your shepherd’s pie dinner. Whether you prefer roasted, fried, or glazed, these veggie side dishes offer a delightful contrast to the richness of the pie.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions
This easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions recipe brings a salty, smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile that cuts through the richness of shepherd’s pie beautifully. It’s a simple yet incredibly tasty side, perfect for adding a comforting and flavorful element to your meal.
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Overhead view of fried cabbage with bacon and onions in a black serving dish, showcasing its caramelized texture and savory ingredients.
Maple Roasted Carrots
Maple Roasted Carrots offer a touch of sweetness and elegance to your plate. Coated in a buttery maple glaze and roasted until caramelized and tender, these carrots are a simple yet gourmet vegan side dish that complements the savory nature of shepherd’s pie.
Charred Broccolini with Preserved Lemon
For a vibrant and zesty side, Charred Broccolini with Preserved Lemon is an excellent choice. The slight bitterness of charred broccolini, combined with the bright citrus notes of preserved lemon and caper dressing, provides a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty shepherd’s pie.
Close-up shot of charred broccolini drizzled with preserved lemon dressing, highlighting its smoky edges and bright, flavorful topping.
Balsamic Green Beans
Balsamic Green Beans are a quick and tangy side dish that pairs well with almost anything, including shepherd’s pie. With just a few simple ingredients, these green beans become a flavorful and bright addition to your weeknight dinner or holiday meal.
Batata Harra – Lebanese Spicy Potatoes
If you enjoy a bit of spice, Batata Harra, or Lebanese Spicy Potatoes, is a fantastic side. These oven-roasted potatoes are tossed in a vibrant cilantro, garlic, and crushed red pepper sauce, offering a flavorful kick and contrasting texture to the creamy shepherd’s pie. A squeeze of lemon at the end adds a fresh touch.
Detailed image of batata harra garnished with fresh cilantro, showing the spicy red pepper flakes and roasted potato texture.
Oven Roasted Vegetables Medley
An Oven Roasted Vegetables Medley is a colorful and healthy side dish that offers a variety of flavors and textures. This simple-to-make medley can include your favorite seasonal vegetables, roasted to perfection to bring out their natural sweetness and complement the savory shepherd’s pie.
Roasted Beets with Herby Skyr & Pistachios Recipe
Roasted Beets with Herby Skyr & Pistachios provide an earthy and sophisticated side dish. The sweetness of roasted beets pairs wonderfully with a herby yogurt (skyr) and crunchy pistachios, creating a delightful flavor and textural contrast to shepherd’s pie.
Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
For a sweeter vegetable side, Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes are a delicious option. Tender roasted sweet potatoes in a spiced, sweet sauce, topped with crunchy pecans, make a perfect vegetarian side dish that can be especially appealing during the holidays or any cozy meal.
Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
Roasted Green Beans and Carrots are a classic and simple side dish that is always a crowd-pleaser. Coated in olive oil, salt, and herbs, and roasted until tender-crisp, this side is easy to prepare and adds a touch of freshness to your shepherd’s pie meal.
Overhead shot of roasted green beans and carrots seasoned with herbs, highlighting their vibrant colors and simple preparation.
Crispy Thai Brussel Sprouts
Crispy Thai Brussel Sprouts bring an exciting Asian-inspired flavor to your shepherd’s pie dinner. These brussel sprouts are crispy and flavorful, coated in a salty and sweet sauce, and topped with crunchy peanuts, refreshing mint, and a hint of spice. They are a quick and easy side dish ready in just 15 minutes.
Cauliflower Steaks with Caramelized Shallots
For a more elegant and plant-forward side, consider Cauliflower Steaks with Caramelized Shallots. Tender cauliflower paired with crunchy chickpeas, caramelized shallots and garlic, creamy tahini sauce, and pistachios create a gourmet side dish that is both flavorful and satisfying, offering a sophisticated counterpoint to shepherd’s pie.
Top-down image of cauliflower steaks adorned with caramelized shallots and tahini sauce, showcasing the dish's gourmet presentation and plant-based ingredients.
Side Salad
A fresh side salad is an excellent way to balance the richness of shepherd’s pie. The crispness and acidity of a salad can cleanse the palate and add a refreshing element to your meal.
Mixed Green Salad
A simple Mixed Green Salad is a classic and healthy side dish. With a variety of greens, your favorite toppings, and a light vinaigrette, a mixed green salad adds freshness and lightness to your shepherd’s pie dinner.
Spinach Salad with Strawberry Salad Dressing
Spinach Salad with Strawberry Salad Dressing offers a unique and flavorful salad option. The sweet strawberry dressing, combined with spinach and crunchy pralines, creates a delightful sweet and savory salad that is both refreshing and satisfying as a side to shepherd’s pie.
Balsamic Pasta Salad
Balsamic Pasta Salad brings a heartier salad option to the table. Packed with pasta shells, vegetables, feta cheese, and a sweet and sour balsamic vinaigrette, this colorful salad is flavorful and satisfying, making it a great side dish or even a light meal on its own, and a good accompaniment to shepherd’s pie.
Bread
Serving bread with shepherd’s pie is a wonderful way to soak up all the delicious gravy and flavors. From fluffy rolls to cheesy biscuits, bread adds a comforting and satisfying element to your meal.
Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls Recipe
Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls are the epitome of comfort food. These rich, fluffy, and slightly sweet rolls are incredibly moist and flavorful, thanks to heavy cream and honey butter. They are perfect for serving alongside shepherd’s pie to mop up every last bit of deliciousness.
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Sourdough Dinner Rolls with Rosemary
Sourdough Dinner Rolls with Rosemary offer a flavorful and slightly tangy bread option. These incredibly fluffy and soft rolls, infused with fresh rosemary, are perfect for adding a touch of herbal aroma and delicious sourdough flavor to your shepherd’s pie meal.
Top-down view of sourdough dinner rolls with rosemary, sprinkled with herbs and sea salt, emphasizing their soft texture and aromatic rosemary sprigs.
Mexican Cornbread Recipe
Mexican Cornbread Recipe brings a slightly sweet and cheesy cornbread option to your shepherd’s pie dinner. Made with creamed corn, cheddar cheese, and green chilies, this moist and flavorful cornbread offers a delightful Southwestern twist and a different texture to complement the pie.
Bisquick Cheddar Biscuits
For a quick and cheesy bread side, Bisquick Cheddar Biscuits are a great choice. These golden brown biscuits are cheesy, easy to make with just 6 ingredients, and ready in about 20 minutes. They are perfect for a simple and comforting side with your shepherd’s pie.
Air Fryer
Air fryer side dishes are quick, easy, and often healthier options that are perfect for busy weeknights. They offer crispy textures and delicious flavors with minimal effort.
Air Fryer Baby Carrots
Air Fryer Baby Carrots are a super quick and easy side dish. Ready in minutes and requiring minimal prep, these air fryer carrots come out perfectly browned and tender. A drizzle of honey or your favorite seasonings can elevate them even further as a simple side for shepherd’s pie.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are a fantastic way to enjoy crispy and tender brussel sprouts quickly. Made without oil and seasoned to your liking, these air fryer brussel sprouts are beautifully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, offering a healthy and delicious side dish option.
Overhead picture of air fryer brussel sprouts, displaying their crispy outer leaves and tender, roasted texture.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Green Beans are a quick and easy side dish perfect for any night. Simply seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, these green beans achieve a crave-worthy crisp-tender texture in the air fryer. A squeeze of fresh lemon adds a bright finish.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Air Fryer Cauliflower is a tasty and effortless side dish that’s ready in minutes. This recipe delivers perfectly cooked cauliflower with a slightly crispy exterior and tender interior, making it a healthy and flavorful side to complement your shepherd’s pie.
Aerial view of air fryer cauliflower florets seasoned and garnished, highlighting their golden-brown edges and appetizing presentation.
FAQs
Should I cover Shepherd’s Pie when reheating?
Cover the pie with foil or a lid to prevent the top from drying.
Enjoy your Shepherd’s Pie with any of these delicious side dishes for a complete and satisfying meal!
