Citric Acid Free Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash
Shepherd's pie is the kind of deeply satisfying comfort food that feels like a hug on a cold night, and this version delivers every bit of that warmth without the citric acid that sneaks into so many packaged sauces, broths, and seasonings. The filling is built on ground lamb, diced carrots, celery, onion, and finely chopped mushrooms, all brought together with bone broth, coconut aminos, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for depth and richness. Arrowroot starch thickens the sauce naturally, so there's no need for any processed thickeners that might carry hidden additives. Instead of the traditional potato topping, a creamy cauliflower mash — whipped smooth with coconut oil — crowns the whole dish and bakes up golden at the peaks. Fresh thyme, rosemary, turmeric, and ginger give the filling a fragrant, layered flavor that makes it taste far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. The whole thing goes from stovetop to oven in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy the result. A scatter of fresh parsley at the end adds a little brightness to finish it off beautifully.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cauliflower mash
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lb), cut into florets
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, divided
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
For the filling
- 1 ½ lb ground lamb
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup bone broth
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook until completely tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 12–15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
- 2
Add 2 tbsp of the coconut oil and 1/2 tsp salt to the drained cauliflower. Mash with a potato masher or beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy, with no large lumps remaining. Taste and adjust salt. Set aside.
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