Can You Freeze Shepherds Pie?

Shepherd’s pie is a hearty dish that is made ahead of time. It is the perfect dish for the whole family. However, when you have excess from a big portion, you are left with the question, can you freeze shepherds pie?

Freezing shepherd’s pie is possible and is the best solution for preserving the taste and flavor for some time. In this article, we explore how you can freeze shepherd’s pie, tips to follow to ensure proper storage, and how best to defrost them.

What Exactly Is Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd’s pie is a hearty dish originating from Britain. It is a dish consisting of ground meat and vegetables, and on top is creamy mashed potatoes. It is prepared with herbs and spices to enhance its flavor.

More often, shepherd’s pie is compared to cottage pie. It may interest you to check out: Can You Freeze Cottage Pie?

How To Freeze Shepherd’s Pie

The answer to the question, Can you freeze shepherds pie is yes, you can. It can be stored in the freezer for about 3 months. Freezing shepherd’s pie is a way of preserving leftovers, and maintaining the taste and flavor of the dish. Here’s how you can freeze shepherd’s pie:

STEP 1: Allow It Cool

Before freezing, let Shepherd’s pie cool off completely first. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool.

STEP 2: Wrap It

Next, divide the pie into sizeable portions and wrap them tightly and firmly. Wrap them using aluminum foil or a cling film, ensuring there are no tears or holes.

STEP 3: Pack It

Next, place the wrapped pie into a freezer bag or air-tight container. If using a bag, seal the edges properly and close the lid tightly if using a container. This helps to prevent freezer burn.

STEP 4: Record and Freeze

Lastly, record the containers or freezer bag with the storage date and place it in the freezer for about 3 months.

Tips For Freezing Shepherd’s Pie

Here are tips for freezing shepherd’s pie the convenient way:

TIP 1: Consider dividing the pie into portions.

TIP 2: Push excess air out of freezer bags before sealing them.

TIP 3: Leave some space when filling containers with pie. Ensure you do not fill to the top.

TIP 4: Do not defrost at room temperature as this will lead to microbial growth.

How Long Can You Freeze Shepherds Pie?

You can freeze Shepherd’s pie for about 3 months in the freezer.

It is generally recommended to consume shepherd’s pie within 1-2 months this way, you enjoy its original taste.

How Do You Defrost Shepherd’s Pie?

When you are ready to consume Shepherd’s pie, remove it from the freezer and transfer it to the refrigerator to let it defrost overnight. This is the safest way to defrost pie.

How To Tell If Your Frozen Shepherd’s Pie Is Bad

If you want to be able to tell if your frozen shepherd’s pie is bad you have to keep track of storage date on the containers or freezer bag. Also, you have to watch out for these signs or indicators like:

Sour odor
The appearance of molds
Unpleasant taste
Discoloration
Wet and mushy texture

Can You Refreeze Shepherd’s Pie?

It is generally not recommended to refreeze Shepherd’s pie once it has been defrosted. But if you must, ensure your fit must have defrosted. pie in the refrigerator

Does Shepherd’s Pie Freeze Well?

Shepherd’s pie will freeze extremely well provided that you follow the steps discussed in this post. Remember, shepherd’s pie is a freezer-friendly dish.

Conclusion

DFreezing shepherd’s pie is the easiest way of preserving the taste and flavor of this dish. By following these steps, you can ensure the taste and flavor are retained and when you are ready to consume, defrost it in the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight.

Lastly, remember to look out for signs of spoilage. If any of the signs discussed in this article is observed, it’s best, that you throw out shepherd’s pie immediately. I hope you found this article helpful.

FAQs

How do reheat Shepherd’s pie after freezing?

To reheat frozen Shepherd’s pie, give time for the pie to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. After defrosting, you can reheat in the oven. Cover and wrap frozen shepherd’s pie with aluminum foil and place in the oven at 350°F for 40 minutes.