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How To Reheat Shepherd’s Pie In The Oven: Step-By-Step Guide

Norah Clark
Shepherd's pie on a plate

Norah Clark

Norah Clark, Editor of Boyd Hampers! Norah is a food writer with over a decade of experience in hospitality as a pastry chef, sous chef, and barista; former chef at the Savoy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Plaza Hotel.

To properly reheat shepherd’s pie in the oven, wrap the dish in foil, then place it in an oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

If you’re reading this, chances are you have a delicious shepherd’s pie stored in your freezer or fridge, and you’re looking for the ideal method to heat it. 

Having invested time in creating and preserving your homemade shepherd’s pie, reheating it correctly ensures you can fully appreciate it again.

I’ll guide you on how to reheat your shepherd’s pie.

How To Reheat Shepherd’s Pie In The Oven

From the Fridge

First, consider whether the dish you’re heating comes directly from the fridge or freezer. Warming baked dishes from the fridge is straightforward.

Here’s a general guideline to keep in mind:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove the shepherd’s pie from the refrigerator.
  3. Place the shepherd’s pie in an oven-safe container.
  4. Cover the container with tin or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
  5. Cook the dish for a predetermined duration.
  6. Remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven.
  7. Allow it to cool to the desired temperature.
  8. Serve and enjoy!

From the Freezer

You have two options for heating your frozen shepherd’s pie:

Option 1

Thaw the shepherd’s pie in the refrigerator overnight, then follow the steps in the previous section for oven reheating from the fridge.

Option 2

Follow the steps below. These steps are almost identical to reheating from the refrigerator, but we’ll bake the shepherd’s pie twice as long (60 minutes instead of 30 minutes).

NOTE: Thawing in the fridge before cooking ensures even heating. However, placing it directly in the oven is a suitable option if you can’t thaw it.

To heat shepherd’s pie straight from the freezer:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).

Step 2: Remove shepherd’s pie from the freezer and remove the lid or cover.

Step 3: Place the shepherd’s pie in an oven-friendly dish, like a cast iron skillet or baking dish.

Step 4: Cover the shepherd’s pie with tin or aluminum foil. This is crucial to prevent moisture and flavor loss.

NOTE: Create an airtight seal with aluminum foil or tin. Any exposure may result in your shepherd’s pie becoming dry or stale.

Step 5: Place the covered shepherd’s pie in the oven and close the door.

Step 6: Set a timer for 60 minutes.

Step 7: After 60 minutes, open the oven door and remove the shepherd’s pie.

Step 8: Take off the aluminum foil or tin, then use a toothpick, fork, or knife to pierce the center of the shepherd’s pie, reaching the bottom.

Step 9: Check if the utensil is warm to the touch. If so, your shepherd’s pie is fully heated and ready to serve.

If it's not fully heated: re-cover the shepherd’s pie with aluminum foil or tin and return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes.

Step 10: After 5-10 minutes, remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven, take off the aluminum foil or tin, and let it cool to your preferred serving temperature, which usually takes a few minutes.

Step 11: Serve and enjoy your warmed-up shepherd’s pie!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you reheat shepherd's pie in a microwave?

Yes, you can heat shepherd’s pie using the microwave. The only disadvantage of heating in the microwave (which is why I suggest using it in an oven) is that the shepherd’s pies could get dry and lose crispness and texture due to uneven heating.

Can you reheat shepherd's pie more than once?

If you adhere to the steps for reheating that were previously described, you can reheat your shepherd’s pie more than once. The process described above will ensure that your food is cooked to a sufficient temperature to kill any bacteria that could cause harm.

How long to reheat a shepherd’s pie in the oven?

To reheat a shepherd’s pie in the oven, bake it for 30 minutes if refrigerated or 60 minutes if previously frozen and thawed, at 350°F (177°C).

What temperature do you heat shepherd’s pie?

Heat shepherd’s pie at a temperature of 350°F (177°C) for optimal reheating results.

How do you reheat mashed potatoes for shepherd’s pie?

To reheat mashed potatoes for shepherd’s pie, place them in an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil, and heat at 350°F (177°C) for 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.

Image credit of slice of Shepherd’s Pie on a plate: Portlandia Pie Lady

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