Warm Up With Wynkoop’s Rich, Savory Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Chef Corey Smith of Wynkoop Brewing Company in Downtown Denver has shared one of the most comforting cold-weather dishes, and you can make it right at home. That’s right, warm up with a piping hot shepherd’s pie. 

Want to learn more about the chef and the historic restaurant? Smith took over our Instagram at the beginning of the year, and we dived into his work, the brewpub, and the menu. 

Wynkoop Brewing Company’s Shepherd’s Pie 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Beef Stew

• 1 lb Ground beef or lamb
• 1 Medium onion, diced
• 2 Carrots, diced
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp Tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dried thyme
• 1 tsp Dried rosemary
• 1 cup Frozen peas
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mashed Potatoes

• 1.5 lbs ( or 24 oz) Potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 4 oz Butter
• 1/4 cup Milk or cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Garnish

• 1 tsp Fresh rosemary, chopped

Instructions: 

For the Beef Stew

1. Start by cooking the ground beef or lamb in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s browned, then drain any excess fat. 
2. Add the diced onion, carrots, and minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing the mixture until the vegetables are softened, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. 
3. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for an additional 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. 
4. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to combine, which will thicken the stew. 
5. Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, and then add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. 
6. Finally, allow the stew to simmer for 15 minutes until it thickens, then stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes.

For the Mashed Potatoes

1. While the stew is simmering, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender. 
2. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter and milk or cream. 
3. Mash until smooth and creamy and season to your liking.

Shepherd’s Pie Assembly

1. Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. 
2. Ladle the beef stew mixture into individual cast iron bowls (or a large casserole dish if you prefer), then top the stew with an even layer of mashed potatoes. 
3. Place the bowls under a broiler until the top is golden brown and crispy.
4. Once browned, remove the cast iron bowls from the broiler and sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary for garnish. 
5. Finally, serve hot and enjoy.