Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

by Crafty Lumberjacks

We’re so excited to share this comforting meal that vegans and non-vegans will love! 


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.   #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

We went vegan in July and thought the hardest part would be not being able to eat all the food we loved. Shockingly, that hasn’t been the case! The thing we struggle with the most is being hosted by non-vegans because we never want to impose or make anyone go out of their way for us. When we are cooking for people who aren’t vegan it can be stressful to figure out the perfect recipe that everyone will love and be impressed with. But, we found it, this shepherd’s pie is it!

This recipe was created this past Christmas Eve, together with Andrew’s sister Jen. She is our vegan rock and coach, every question we have, she’s our go-to person.  We couldn’t figure out what to make for a group that was split down the middle, and we knew we had to impress.  So today we are collabing with Jen @toddlersandtacos and remaking this recipe! It’s been 3 months and we have been dreaming about eating this shepherd’s pie ever since!


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

This dish is a combination of creamy rosemary infused gravy and fluffy mashed potatoes! But the thing that makes this recipe so so delicious is the baked tofu crumbles. Jen originally found the recipe on It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. The tofu crumbles give that meaty texture and takes on the flavor of the gravy. Game changer!!

Prep for this recipe is split up into 3 parts; the tofu crumbles, the mashed potatoes and the gravy then just layer and bake!

Prep took us about 40 min, if we had a bigger freezer we would double the recipe and make a pie to freeze! 


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

Step 1- Tofu Meat Crumbles:

  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu, drained (no need to press it)

  1. Preheat your oven to 350F (180C).  Line with parchment paper or lightly grease a large baking sheet.

  2. Mix the nutritional yeast, soy sauce, olive oil chili powder, garlic powder, and liquid smoke together in a large bowl. It will make a brown paste-like texture.

  3. Crumble the block of tofu with your fingers into the bowl along with the seasoning. Mix the tofu crumbles with the seasoning making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated. Spread the tofu crumbles evenly over the pan.

  4. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, stopping to stir the tofu every now and then. Keep a close eye on it towards the end so that it doesn’t burn. You want the tofu to be nice and browned. The smaller crumbles will be darker than the larger crumbles, and that’s ok because it will provide a variety of texture.


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

While tofu crumbles are in the oven, start making the mashed potatoes!


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

Step 2- Mashed Potatoes:

  • 6 russet potatoes

  • 3 tablespoons earth balance butter

  • 1 tablespoon better than bullion vegetable stock

  • water

  • 1/2 unsweetened plant milk like almond or soy

  • salt and pepper to taste

  1. Peel and chop into two inch cubes and add potatoes to water add better than bullion or use veggie stock.

  2. Boil potatoes until soft

  3. Drain and mix plan t milk, earth balance, salt and pepper until well combined.

(Instant pot potatoes- Add cut potatoes and 1.5 cups of water, better than bullion, manual high pressure 10 min, quick release.)


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

Step 3- Making Gravy

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour

  • 2 cups veggie stock

  • 2 stems fresh rosemary, washed, removed and chopped into small pieces

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • 1/2 onion chopped


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie
  1. Add olive oil to a pan and sautéed onions for 5 minutes on low medium heat.

  2. Add flour and stir for 3 minutes. If too dry, add more oil.

  3. Slowly add veggie stock, stirring as you go.

  4. Add fresh rosemary.

  5. Allow gravy to simmer until it thickens, around 10 minutes, stir occasionally.


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

Step 4- Add Frozen mixed veg bag (peas, corn, carrots or whatever you like) , combine and bake!!!


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie
  1. Combine tofu crumbles and gravy together in a pyrex, mix well.

  2. Add packet of frozen peas, corn and carrots.

  3. Top with mashed potatoes and put in oven at 350 for 30 minutes.


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

Let rest for at least 20 minutes, serve and enjoy!!


Vegan Shepherd's Pie with tofu crumbles, instant pot mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.  #vegan #veganreciepes #veganthanksgiving #veganholiday #veganfood #veganeats #govegan #vegancook #vegancouple #veganblog #vegandinnerideas #vegandinner #tofu #nomeat #meatlessmonday #veganinstantpot #instantpotmeals #instantpotreciepies #shepherdspie #veganshepherdspie

This will feed 4 with a few sides, but honestly the two of us devoured it throughout the day, because we couldn’t stop. We just couldn’t stop. 

9 comments

Jeff Boyer March 11, 2018 - 3:02 pm

Cannot wait to try this! I’m usually really conservative while cooking for my partner, who’s Vegan. But I read this and thought "I can do this!" — I’m totes going to get the ingredients later today! Thanks so much, boys! Love your Blog and Insta so much! -@just_jeff_ (IG)

Reply
Crafty Lumberjacks March 13, 2018 - 3:25 pm

Aw, thanks Jeff! Let us know how it turns out! Xoxo

Reply
teresa March 14, 2018 - 6:47 pm

This sounds amazing, I will give it a try for sure. Thank you for sharing the recipe at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. pinned.

Reply
Julie March 14, 2018 - 10:00 pm

Shepherd’s pie is a big favourite in our house, I usually make a huge one and freeze some for another day as it takes a while to prepare.
Our youngest is now vegetarian (after a few months at art college, bless him) so this will be great for family meals when he’s home. Doing different things for different family members is a bit of a pain!

Reply
Crafty Lumberjacks March 25, 2018 - 2:21 am

Yea totally! It’s stressful to try to keep everyone happy. But seriously, try it and let us know what you think!

Reply
Patrick Andrew Adams November 18, 2018 - 1:24 am

Can not wait to try this. Bookmarked

Reply
Crafty Lumberjacks November 19, 2018 - 5:40 pm

Yes! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out!

Reply
Tzvi Fleischer April 16, 2020 - 11:34 pm

Made this yesterday and it came out amazing. One of the best recipes I have ever made. The tofu had a meat-like texture and a great spicy flavour. The rosemary gravy went with it really well. Thanks for a fantastic recipe.

Reply
Crafty Lumberjacks April 20, 2020 - 6:00 am

Oh my gosh! That makes us so happy to hear! We even use that same tofu recipe for our bolognese! So good!

Reply

Leave a Comment

We think you'll like these too

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're okay with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept