My slow cooker shepherd’s pie is an easy meal which your whole family will love. Prepare it earlier in the day and then leave the slow cooker to work its magic, it is perfect for a family mealtime when you are short on time. You’ll love the rich lamb filling topped with soft and crispy mashed potatoes!
Traditionally made with leftover lamb from a Sunday roast, for this slow cooker shepherd’s pie you can either chop up some leftover roast lamb or use fresh lamb mince (ground lamb).
It depends on what you have available. I have tried both ways and they both work well.
So flexible and easy to do whether you have leftover lamb to use or not!
And isn’t it great to use your slow cooker to make a one-pot meal the family will love.
We love shepherd’s pie all year round but it is particularly good in the winter, as is my easy slow cooker lasagne.
For a beef version (cottage pie) do check out my slow cooker cottage pie too!
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Why make this recipe
✓ Great family option.
✓ Use my clever hacks to brown the top and thicken the filling, for great results.
✓ Perfect winter warmer.
✓ Save on washing up and energy versus cooking it in the oven!
How do you make a shepherd’s pie in the slow cooker?
Think of a shepherd’s pie and you won’t immediately think you can make this dish in your slow cooker.
But it is possible, you just have to use a few hacks to make sure the mashed potato topping doesn’t sink into the lamb filling, and to brown the top.
This is the ultimate lazy dish really, as you make the lamb filling in the slow cooker and cook it for a while.
Then you put the mashed potato on top in the slow cooker pot, and so don’t have to use any more pans to bake it in the oven!
For me if I was making it the traditional way I would be using one saucepan to make the lamb filling on the hob, another pan to boil the potatoes for the mashed potatoes, and then one more large baking dish to layer up the meat filling and mashed potato topping and then bake it in the oven.
This method saves one pan as you just use the slow cooker and the pan for the potatoes! Ideal if the last thing you want is more washing up to do.
It turns out very well, the lamb becomes very tender and the mash does not sink into the pie, and remains moist. A recipe I make again and again.
My kids really enjoy my slow cooker shepherd’s pie and it is much less hassle for me. Win-win situation!
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make your slow cooker shepherd’s pie. Quantities are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- lamb mince (ground lamb) – I tend to use the 20% fat lamb mince as leaner is often even more expensive. You could also use frozen lamb mince as a cheaper option – defrost it fully before use, since cooking from frozen is not recommended for slow cooking for food safety reasons.
- carrots – diced and added to the lamb mixture to bulk it out and add to the flavour and nutrients!
- onion – used as the base of the lamb mixture, adding savoury flavour.
- peas – I switch between frozen and tinned peas depending on what I have available. Freshly picked and podded peas would work too if you have those!
- potatoes – some large potatoes as used for baked potatoes or a panful of smaller potatoes intended for mashing are my usual choice.
- tomato puree – adds depth to the lamb mixture.
- stock pot – these stock pots contain a portion of concentrated jelly stock – very convenient. I tend to use either chicken, beef or lamb depending on what I have in the cupboard.
- Worcestershire sauce – to add that traditional flavour and tanginess.
- butter – a little butter is added to the potatoes before mashing, to make it more creamy.
- milk – a splash of milk is also added before mashing the potatoes to help soften it.
- salt and pepper – not pictured. To season the lamb sauce.
- gravy granules – not pictured. Thicken the lamb sauce mixture before adding the mash on top by stirring in a tablespoon of lamb or beef gravy granules. Such a handy hack!
Method
Before you start, read my step-by-step instructions, with photos, hints and tips so you can make this slow cooker shepherd’s pie recipe perfectly every time.
Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.
Step 1. In a saucepan, brown the onion and the lamb mince together in a little olive oil.
Step 2. Put the onion and browned mince in the slow cooker and then add the diced carrots and peas.
Step 3. Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce and tomato puree, and season well.
Step 4. Mix and cook on low for 5 hrs or on high for 3 hours.
Top tip! Before you add the mash on top, stir in some gravy granules to thicken the sauce (1 tablespoon).
Step 5. Half an hour before the end of the cooking time, peel and chop the potatoes and simmer them in a saucepan of boiling water for 15-20 mins approx. or until tender. Drain.
Step 6. Mash the potatoes in the saucepan with the milk and butter, using a fork or potato masher, until smooth.
Step 7. Spoon the mash on top of the shepherd’s pie filling in the slow cooker. Use a fork to smooth it down and pattern the top. Cook for 2 hours more on low or 1 hour more on high.
Step 8. Brown the top of the shepherd’s pie by placing the entire slow cooker pot under a preheated grill/broiler for approx 10-20 minutes. Serve the shepherd’s pie straight from the slow cooker pot.
Storage
Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze double-wrapped for 3 months for best quality. But it will last very well frozen so can be kept for longer.
FAQ
How do you prevent the mashed potato from sinking?
The key is to add the mash only 1-2 hours from the end of cooking, not at the start.
This means there is less time for the mashed potato to sink!
How do you brown the top?
Oddly, while I always find that slow cooker lasagne gets a brown and crispy top on its own, mashed potato doesn’t seem to take on colour in the slow cooker alone.
So at the end of the cooking time you simply brown the top of the shepherd’s pie under the grill (broiler) for a short time.
Make sure your slow cooker pot is safe to do this with first, the sear and stew slow cookers have metal pots and can be used this way.
Many ceramic slow cookers can be used in the oven without their lid – check your instructions if unsure.
Mine was an old ceramic pot and I put it in a baking tray so that if it did crack I wouldn’t lose the contents all over the oven. Thankfully it is always fine! The last thing you would want is that mess.
How to thicken the gravy?
A lot of people have asked me this in the comments.
So I have added my top tip to thicken up the gravy of the lamb filling to the recipe now – the key is to stir in a tablespoon of gravy granules (lamb gravy is delicious!) as this will thicken the filling nicely.
I do this step before adding the mash on top.
More slow cooker recipes to try
If you want more family friendly slow cooker recipes check out my slow cooker archives and slow cooker recipes that kids love, and you might also like these:
Recipe
Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh lamb mince or leftover roast lamb
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 large carrots diced
- 100 ml chicken stock or beef/lamb stock
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 400 g peas fresh, frozen or tinned
- salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp gravy granules lamb or beef
- potatoes I use 3 large baking potatoes
- splash of milk
- knob of butter
Equipment
Instructions
- Brown the onion and the lamb mince at the same time, in a little olive oil.1 onion, 500 g fresh lamb mince
- Put the onion and browned mince in the slow cooker with the carrots and peas.2 large carrots, 400 g peas
- Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce and tomato puree, and season.100 ml chicken stock, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp tomato puree, salt and pepper
- Mix well and cook on low for 5 hrs or on high for 3 hours. Add 1 tablespoon of gravy granules and stir in, before adding the mash.1 tbsp gravy granules
- Half an hour before the end of the cooking time, peel and chop the potatoes and simmer them for 15-20 mins approx until tender. Drain.potatoes
- Mash the potatoes in the saucepan with the milk and butter.splash of milk, knob of butter
- Spoon the mash on top of the shepherd's pie filling in the slow cooker. Use the back of a fork to smooth it down and add a pattern.
- Cook for 1-2 hours more on low or 1 hour more on high.
- Brown the top of the shepherd's pie by placing the slow cooker pot under a preheat grill/broiler for approx 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the shepherd's pie straight from the slow cooker pot. Garnish if desired with a little chopped fresh parsley.
Jane says
Thanks so much for this, such an easy way to make a yummy Shepherds pie, and it was loved by all the family. Will be making this many times as its a fav in our house for eating by the family and an easy way to make it for me.
Kim says
Made it today and me and my family loved it!
So happy to have found this site, as currently I only have half a kitchen and no oven. So the slowcooker is perfect for me to use!
bakingqueen74 says
brilliant, so glad to hear this Kim!
Hannah says
Just made this recipe last night and found the directions very easy to follow. I was unsure if my crockpot would be able to handle broiling the mashed potatoes, so I held off doing that but will be using a small creme brûlée torch next time.
One fault I found with this recipe was the lack of flavor. I was nervous going astray from the recipe since it was my first time making Shepard’s pie, but spices are necessary to add to this recipe. To complement the lamb, next time I may use a blend of rosemary, garlic, oregano and a ton of cracked black pepper. For what I’ve made though, I’ve found topping it with more Worschetshire sauce and Louisiana Hot sauce really gives it the kick it needs!
Overall, this recipe is a great base for making a good shepard pie with the ease of a crockpot, but putting your own twist on it (regarding spices) will help give it that personalization that some may crave.
bakingqueen74 says
Yes do adjust to suit your taste, normally in the UK we make shepherd’s pie with the herbs and seasoning I’ve used and find this dish full of flavour and perfect for families!
Lacey says
Do you cook on low or high for 5 hrs?
bakingqueen74 says
The recipe says low plus two further hours with the mash.
Shanna-Kay Currie says
What kind of crockpot are you using ?
bakingqueen74 says
This was made in an oval 3.5 litre slow cooker. I will add it to the recipe notes for future reference!
Rita says
First time making a traditional Shepherd’s Pie – it was delicious! Putting in the slow cooker was a bonus.
Shelley Ross says
Can I thicken the gravy before I put the mash on top? Making this just now, smells amazing!
bakingqueen74 says
Yes do if it seems runny, maybe with cornflour!
Shelley Ross says
Making this just now before I put the mash on top can I thicken the gravy? It looks too runny for me. Can’t wait to taste it!
Nikki G says
Tried making this tonight…
The last step of “browning top of shepherds pie under the grill for 20 mins” ??? Does that mean literally take the crockpot insert in the oven under the broiler? I was unsure. Please clarify for me thanks!
bakingqueen74 says
Sorry not sure what a broiler is, but if it means the grill in the oven then that’s what I did. Please make sure you read my warning about making sure you slow cooker pot is safe to do this with.
Hannah says
What size slow cooker have you used for this recipe?
bakingqueen74 says
I think this was my 3.5 litre
Wendy A says
A great way to cook the shepherds pie in the slow cooker. Having less pots to wash up is a winner for me too!
Ashley says
This looks yummy!