Keto Shepherd’s Pie
Published January 22, 2024 • Updated February 3, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
This twist on the classic shepherd's pie replaces mashed potatoes with a creamy, cheesy layer of mashed turnips. Since turnips are in the tuber family, they taste more like real potatoes than cauliflower ever will.
Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food, but the classic version has a thick layer of mashed potatoes on top. Most recipes swap in mashed cauliflower. If you’re tired of cauliflower playing hero in every dish, try topping your casserole with mashed turnips instead. Turnips actually taste like potatoes!
Why this recipe beats the rest
- Doesn’t use cauliflower – I love cauliflower, but it can’t always be the answer for replacing starchy ingredients. Cauliflower and potatoes aren’t even in the same family! Turnips and rutabagas are low-carb tubers that cook just like potatoes, and you don’t have to squeeze out moisture like you do with cauliflower. The result? Mashed “potatoes” that look and taste like the real thing.
- Easy – The beef filling cooks quickly, and making mashed turnips is the same process as making mashed potatoes. No squeezing moisture out of cauliflower. This casserole takes the same time as the traditional version.
- Classic flavor – The ground beef, carrot, green bean, and onion cook in a hearty sauce that binds everything together and adds depth and warmth.
- Low carb – Replacing potatoes with turnips keeps this at only 6.7g net carbs per generous serving. Stretch it to 10 servings and you’re down to 4g each.
How to make keto shepherd's pie
Mashed turnip layer
- Boil the diced turnips. Peel & dice the turnips into small chunks. Then boil in a mixture of chicken broth, water and a half of potato until tender. The half of a potato is added to neutralize the bitter flavor of the turnips. Once tender, drain and return the cooked turnips to the pan to cook the remaining moisture off.
- Puree until mashed. Add cooked, diced turnips to a blender, along with heavy cream, salt, butter, black pepper and cheddar cheese. Blend until smooth.
Beef filling
- Sauté the vegetables. Cook the celery, carrot, onion, and green beans in butter until tender. Then season with garlic and dried herbs.
- Brown the ground beef until cooked through.
- Add flavor components. Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt and pepper.
Assemble & bake
- Pour beef mixture into a casserole dish first. Spread until even.
- Spread dollops of mashed turnips over the top of the beef filling.
- Bake at 375 °F for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Explore 681+ keto recipe videos with step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to make keto easy.
Mashed Turnips Ingredients
2 lb small turnips -
1/2 medium russet potato (don't worry, not for eating)
-
1 cup chicken broth
-
3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
-
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
-
1/2 teaspoon pepper
-
salt to taste
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Shepherd's Pie Filling Ingredients
-
2 tablespoons butter
-
3 celery stalks, chopped
-
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
-
1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
-
2/3 cup fresh, canned or frozen green beans
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
-
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
-
1 ½ pounds ground beef or lamb
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-
1/3 cup tomato paste
-
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
-
3/4 cup beef broth
-
1/2 cup chopped parsley
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Peel & dice turnips
Peel the turnips with a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Discard the skins. Dice the turnips into ¾ inch pieces.
- 2 lb small turnips
Boil turnips
Add turnips to a large saucepan. Place potato half on top of the turnips. Don’t dice the potato, leave skin on and whole. Pour in chicken broth. Then add enough water to the saucepan to cover the turnips and potato. Season with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and let cook until turnips have softened enough for a fork to easily pierce through.
- 1/2 medium sized russet potato, unpeeled
- 1 cup chicken broth
Remove moisture & potato
Drain water and discard the potato. Return the cooked turnips to the pot and place back on the stove top over medium heat. Dry cook the turnips over the stove top until most of the remaining moisture is gone.
Mash 'em
Transfer cooked turnips to a food processor or blender. Add butter, heavy cream and pepper. Pulse until pureed into a mashed “potato” texture. Season with salt if needed. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sauté veggies
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add celery, onion and carrot and sauté until almost softened.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
Add seasonings and green beans
Stir in minced garlic, green beans, thyme and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute or until garlic is fragrant.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2/3 cup frozen green beans
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
Get beefy
Add ground beef or lamb. Season with salt and pepper. Let cook, breaking the meat up with a spatula until cooked through.
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Get sauced
Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in beef broth and let cook until mixture has thickened. Stir in chopped parsley. Season with salt & pepper if needed.
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
Assembly & bake
Add beef mixture to a casserole dish. Top with dollops of mashed turnips and spread over the top. Place in a 375°F oven. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until top starts to brown.
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
Calculate Your Keto Macros in 30 Seconds
Not sure if this recipe fits your daily targets? Our free calculator shows you personalized macros based on your goals, activity level, and body composition.
Get My Macros (Free) →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to add the carrot?
No, you can omit the carrot. If the keto police told you carrots aren't keto and you believed them, you can omit the carrot if it makes you feel better. Technically, you can have a little bit of carrot on the keto diet as long as you stay within you daily carb allotment.
Why do some people put eggs in shepherd's pie?
Apparently, adding egg yolks to the mashed potato layer can give it a golden crust on top. You can try this if that is the look you are going for.
How many carbs are in keto shepherd's pie?
This recipe makes six generous servings at about 6g net carbs each. If you stretch it to 10 servings, that's about 4g net carbs per serving.
Can I use ground lamb instead of ground beef?
Yes! You can use ground lamb, ground beef, ground goat or even leftover chuck roast, pot roast or lamb roast.
Made this for a Sunday dinner with my in-laws last month. The turnip mash was what I was nervous about (my father-in-law is particular about his food and not remotely interested in keto). He ate it without a word, which for him is the highest praise. I mentioned afterward that the top layer was turnips not potatoes and he genuinely didn't believe me. Had to show him the recipe to convince him. The mashing step takes a bit of time but the texture when it comes out of the oven is worth it, creamy and holds up when you scoop it. Making this again for Easter.
Having to pull up the recipe to prove to him it was turnips - that's the reaction I was going for. Make it a day ahead for Easter if you can, the filling gets better overnight.
I did read through & don't believe that I missed it.. but apologize if I did. I'm wondering what the purpose is of placing the potato on turnips while boiling?
The potato helps to absorb the natural bitter flavor from the turnips.
looks like a great recipe but why are you using ground beef when a shepherds pie is and always has been made with Lamb? the clue is in the name. Shepherds don't herd cows ... well not in the UK anyway!
Yes, you are correct! I know that it's technically not shepherd's pie...it should be called cottage pie, but I explain why I named it this in my recipe post below the recipe instructions. It's mostly because most people in America call it Shepherds pie regardless of what type of meat is used and for searchability, I wanted people to be able to find the recipe.
I have diabetic neuropathy for which I take a lot of Vitamin B12 that helps slow the progress of the condition. To that end I consume beef heart regularly since it is very high in B12 not to mention being a very good source of iron. I made this recipe exactly as presented except I used half hamburger and half beef heart that I cooked in a slow cooker then ground up with a meat grinder. It was absolutely delicious!
It was really delicious!
I always used turnip for topping shepherd's pie but on a lot of keto recipes it says top with cauliflower I love cauliflower but it's weird on top of pie it's soggy not great even with cheese topping it, now I can go back to my turnip,can I ask if you say there's 14 grams carbs then 6.7grm carbs what is fibre content you don't say
The fiber is total carbs minus the net carbs. Glad you like the turnip!
This is the best recipe I've made so far on my keto diet. I never would have thought of turnips! I shared this recipe with my in-laws and they loved it, too. We all looked forward to the leftovers.
Uhhh... turnips and cauliflower are both in the brassica family.
Not sure what the "tuber" family is.
This Shepherd's Pie is a huge success. Tastes absolutely gorgeous! 👏
Thank you
Michael from London, England