I jot down recipe ideas in a small notebook throughout the day—ideas come at the most random moments, whether I’m driving or drifting off to sleep. I’ve had “Make a Paleo version of Shepherd’s Pie” on my list for a long time, and St. Patrick’s Day finally pushed me to test it out.
This turned out even better than I hoped. The savory, well-spiced ground turkey and shredded carrots form a flavorful base, topped with a creamy mash of sweet potato and cauliflower blended with coconut milk and seasonings. The combination is comforting and light—exactly what I wanted from a Paleo take on shepherd’s pie.
My boyfriend, who is fully proud of his Irish roots, said it tasted as good as a traditional shepherd’s pie and that it didn’t leave him feeling heavy afterward. That was music to my ears.
You might notice the melted cheese on top in some photos. I used shredded goat cheddar and baked it until it developed a golden, crispy edge. Strictly speaking, dairy isn’t Paleo, but many people who follow Paleo-style or primal eating occasionally include aged or goat cheeses because they can be easier to digest. If you’d prefer to keep this dairy-free, skip the cheese— the pie is still delicious without it. If you want a little indulgence, a cup of shredded goat cheddar is a nice finishing touch.
This was my first time cooking with ground turkey in a shepherd’s-pie-style dish, and I was pleasantly surprised. I’d recently tried a turkey burger and loved it, so I used ground turkey here. Its lighter, slightly sweeter flavor pairs beautifully with the sweet potatoes and complements the carrots. It’s a great way to vary your proteins and keeps the dish bright and not overly rich.
My boyfriend declared this the best Paleo recipe I’ve made so far—though he may have been nostalgic for shepherd’s pie. Either way, I’d love to know what you think if you try it. Please share your thoughts or tweaks.
I estimate the recipe serves 4–6, depending on portion size. For us it provided dinner for two with seconds and two single-serving lunches the next day—about three meals per person.
Happy Paleo St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day Menu: Paleo Shepherd’s Pie (GF)
Ingredients
- 3 medium-large sweet potatoes
- 1 small head of cauliflower
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tsp salt, (divided)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- pepper to taste
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 yellow onion
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 2-3 cups shredded carrots (I used 3 cups)
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 Tbs tomato paste
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup shredded goat cheddar (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into roughly 1 inch pieces and cut the cauliflower into smaller florets.
- Add the sweet potato and cauliflower to the boiling water, reduce to a simmer, and cook about 14 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- While the vegetables cook, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mince the garlic and onion (a food processor speeds this up) and sauté in the oil for about 4 minutes.
- Add the shredded carrots and cook for 3 minutes, stirring to combine.
- Add the ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, thyme, pepper to taste, tomato paste, rosemary, and paprika. Cook until the turkey is no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
- Spread the cooked turkey mixture evenly in the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Place the drained sweet potatoes and cauliflower in a blender with the coconut milk, garlic powder, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Blend to a smooth mash, working in batches if needed. You can use a spatula to press down ingredients in the blender for even mixing.
- Spread the sweet potato–cauliflower mash over the turkey, smoothing it evenly. If using, sprinkle 1 cup shredded goat cheddar over the top.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Then switch the oven to Broil and broil 2–3 minutes per side, rotating the pan as needed, until the top is lightly browned and the cheese (if used) is crisp. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve warm and enjoy.