Citrus Free Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash
Shepherd's pie is the kind of deeply satisfying, cold-weather comfort food that earns a permanent spot in your dinner rotation, and this version delivers every bit of that hearty, stick-to-your-ribs appeal. The filling is built on ground lamb slow-cooked with onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and a fragrant blend of thyme, rosemary, turmeric, and ginger — all brought together with bone broth and a touch of apple cider vinegar for depth. Coconut aminos add a savory, umami-rich backbone without any citrus-based sauces or marinades that can sneak into traditional recipes and cause problems for people avoiding citrus entirely. Instead of the usual potato topping, a cloud of whipped cauliflower mash — made creamy with coconut oil — seals in all that bubbling filling and turns golden in the oven. Arrowroot starch thickens the sauce beautifully, so the texture is rich and cohesive without relying on any citrus-forward thickeners or condiments. Every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify, which takes the guesswork out of a dish that can otherwise hide surprising additions. Finish it with a scatter of fresh parsley and let it rest just long enough to serve up clean, gorgeous slices straight from the skillet.
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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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