Mince and Tatties, a beloved Scottish classic, combines savory gravy-laden ground beef with the comforting simplicity of potatoes. Served with mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes, this traditional dish is a quintessential comfort food, ideal for enveloping you in warmth on a cool day.
Today, I’m diving into a Scottish classic: mince and tatties. It’s comfort food at its best—minced beef, carrots, peas, and smooth mashed potatoes.
This dish is more than just beef; it’s a piece of Scottish culture. It’s got its own charm, different from cottage pie or beef stew.
I add onions, carrots, and peas to the beef, simmering everything in veggie broth until it’s all tender and flavorful. The key is to let the mince simmer gently to get that rich, hearty sauce. Give it about 15-20 minutes, adjusting for the meat’s tenderness.
And for a twist, try mashing the potatoes with butter for a creamier texture.
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- You can whip this up in less than an hour, making it a lifesaver for those hectic weeknights or last-minute dinner scrambles.
- It’s a hit with both kids and adults, thanks to the winning combo of savory minced beef and creamy mash. Even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds.
- You probably already have everything you need for this recipe, which is great for keeping your budget in check.
- Scaling it up for a crowd is a breeze, so it’s perfect for get-togethers, potlucks, or big family dinners.
🥘 Ingredients Needed for This Recipe?
- Potatoes are the key component of the creamy mashed potatoes in this dish. They provide a starchy base and texture. You can substitute them with sweet potatoes for a different flavor profile or cauliflower for a lower-carb option.
- Onion adds a savory and aromatic base to the dish. If you don’t have onions, you can use shallots, leeks, or even onion powder for a milder onion flavor.
- Beef Mince is the primary protein source and contributes to the heartiness of the dish. You can substitute it with ground pork, ground lamb, or ground chicken.
- Frozen Green Peas provide a burst of color and sweetness. You can substitute them with frozen corn, green beans, or edamame for a different vegetable twist.
- Carrots add natural sweetness and a slightly earthy flavor. You can substitute them with parsnips, turnips, or butternut squash for a similar texture and flavor profile.
- Celery contributes a mild, refreshing crunch to the dish. If you don’t have celery, you can use celery seeds, celery salt, or fennel bulb for a different layer of flavor.
- All-purpose flour is used to thicken the gravy. You can substitute it with cornstarch or arrowroot powder for a gluten-free option or with rice flour for a lighter thickening agent.
- Worcestershire Sauce adds umami and depth of flavor. You can substitute it with soy sauce or tamari for a similar savory kick.
- Vegetable Broth forms the base of the gravy. You can substitute it with beef broth, chicken broth, or mushroom broth for different flavor profiles, or use water with bouillon cubes if broth is unavailable.
- Butter is essential for rich and creamy mashed potatoes. You can substitute it with ghee for a similar buttery flavor, margarine for a dairy-free option, or olive oil for a lighter mash.
- Milk adds creaminess to the mashed potatoes. You can substitute it with almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk for dairy-free or vegan variations.
- Garlic (optional): It enhances the overall flavor profile. You can substitute it with garlic powder or omit it if you prefer a milder taste.
🥘 Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Instructions
If you’re using a slow cooker, brown the beef and veggies as usual, then toss them into the slow cooker with a cup of veggie broth. Set it for 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
In an Instant Pot, hit the “Sauté” button to brown the meat and veggies. Then, switch it to high pressure for 30 minutes.
👩🍳 Step-by-step Directions
Start with the potatoes since they take a bit longer. Wash, peel, and chop them into 1-inch cubes.
Get those potatoes boiling in a big pot. Once the water’s boiling, throw in a tablespoon of salt.
While the potatoes are doing their thing, let’s tackle the gravy.
Grab a pan, melt some butter (or use olive oil), and sauté the onions until they’re soft, about 2-3 minutes.
Next, add the beef to the onions and stir well. Let that cook for another 10 minutes.
Time to throw in the veggies and flour. Give everything a good mix and fry for about 5 minutes to deepen the flavors.
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and vegetable broth, mix well, and cover. Let it simmer for 30 minutes.
Back to the potatoes. Check if they’re done, drain them, and add butter.
Mash the potatoes to your liking, season with salt, and if you’re into creamier mash, add a bit of milk until it’s just right.
Voila, your mash is ready to go.
Serve the meaty sauce over your mash. For a final touch, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top.
✨ Expert Tips
- Go for minced beef with a bit of fat, around 12-15%, to get that juicy, flavorful mince.
- Nothing beats homemade broth, be it vegetable or meat. It really kicks up the flavors a notch over the store-bought stuff.
- When it comes to mashed potatoes, stick with the starchy kind like Russets or Yukon Golds for that perfect fluffy and creamy texture.
- Low and slow is the way to cook the mince. It gets everything tender and melds the flavors beautifully.
- Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or coriander thrown on top add a nice burst of color and freshness.
🍽️ Storage
Refrigerator
Got leftovers? Pop them in the fridge in an airtight container once they’re cool. They’ll keep for 3-4 days.
Freezer (for future use)
Want to save some for later? Cool your dish, portion it out, seal it up tight, and don’t forget to label with the date. It’ll last in the freezer for a couple of months.
🌡️ Reheating
- Microwave: Zap single servings with a vented cover for a couple of minutes on medium, stirring now and then.
- Stovetop: Heat larger amounts with a bit of water or broth to avoid sticking, stirring until hot.
- Oven: For frozen dishes, thaw a bit then bake covered at 350°F until hot.
- Slow Cooker: Thaw frozen meals overnight, then slow cook on low with a little liquid, stirring occasionally.
🍽️ What You Can Do With Leftovers?
- Mince and Tatties Lasagna: Layer it with pasta, béchamel, and Parmesan, then bake.
- Stuffed Peppers: Fill peppers with the mix, top with cheese, and bake.
- Calzones: Stuff pizza dough with the mix, bake, and serve with marinara.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: Combine scooped-out potato with the mince, restuff, and bake.
- Arancini: Ball up the mix, coat in breadcrumbs, and fry.
- Pizza: Use mashed potatoes as a base, add mince, and cheese, then bake.
- Ravioli: Stuff pasta sheets with the mix and boil until ready.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Kick-off with a Scottish ale or delve into some whisky tasting for a true Scottish vibe. A fresh side salad or roasted veggies can lighten things up. Add a sweet note with cranberry sauce or wrap up with Scottish cheese and oatcakes.
For dessert, think citrusy treats or classic Scottish sweets like tablet or shortbread.
❓Answering Your Questions:
How Do You Cook Mince So It’s Tender?
If you’re working with tougher cuts, a slow simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours does the trick. Toss in the veggies about half an hour before it’s done.
How to Make Mince and Tatties Quicker?
Go for tender cuts of meat to cut down cooking time. And if you’re in a real hurry, chop those potatoes smaller so they cook faster.
What Herbs to Add for an Extra Flavor?
I love sprinkling fresh chopped parsley over the finished dish for a burst of flavor. Dill and coriander are also great choices.
How to Thicken Mince and Tatties?
I lean on all-purpose flour. But cornstarch, potato starch, or even oatmeal are solid options for playing with the thickness.
📋 Recipe Card:
Traditional Scottish Mince and Tatties
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Potato
- 1 Onion Diced or minced.
- 1 lb Beef Minced. Ideally to use meat that has 12-15% fat.
- ½ cup Frozen Green Peas
- 2 Carrot medium
- 1 stick Celery Diced.
- 1 tablespoon All-purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 cup Broth
- 7 tablespoons Butter
- Milk To taste
- Salt To taste
- Black Pepper To taste
- Garlic optionally
Instructions
- Put the potatoes to boil.1 lb Potato
- Sauté the onions for 2 minutes.1 Onion
- Toss in the meat and let it cook for about 10 minutes.1 lb Beef
- Stir in the flour (or starch) and whatever veggies you're using. Fry them up for 5 minutes.½ cup Frozen Green Peas, 1 stick Celery, 1 tablespoon All-purpose Flour, Garlic, 2 Carrot
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and broth, then cover and let it simmer on low heat for around 30 minutes.1 cup Broth, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Mash the potatoes with butter, then season with salt and add milk to your liking.Milk, Salt, Black Pepper, 7 tablespoons Butter
- Dish up the meat gravy alongside the mash and, if you feel like it, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top.
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- Picking quality minced beef is crucial here. Aim for a cut with a decent amount of fat – it keeps the meat juicy and tender.
- The trick to a killer mince is giving it time to cook slowly. This lets all the flavors mingle and the meat softens up beautifully. If you’re pressed for time, though, a pressure cooker can do wonders in speeding things up.
- To nail the Tatties, don’t skimp on butter and milk. They transform your potatoes into a creamy, rich delight that’s just right with the hearty mince.
Emily Liao
Such a comforting and easy combo! Loved the flavors in this.
maryanne
I love learning about Scottish dishes that I am not familiar with, and this Mince and Tatties dish sounds so tasty! It reminds me of something my grandma used to make that was so warm and comforting. I can’t wait to try this!
Beth
This is going to be such a tasty and very flavorful dinner tonight! My family and I are going to be obsessed with this recipe. Excited to try this very soon! Thanks for such a great recipe!
Elizabeth Flight
I love an easy and delicious dinner recipe and this one hit the spot! Thanks for sharing!
Amanda Dixon
This was total comfort food! We are mashed potato fanatics, so this was an instant hit. Will definitely put this on our dinner rotation!
Gemma
Wow! That just looks so amazing! My mouth is watering.
Lulu
This is now our comfort food go-to. Will add more veg to bulk it out next time but it’s so GOOD!
Fiona Pirie
I’m going to make this for my dad tomorrow, our Sunday dinner. Thank you!
Jacqueline Meldrum
I grew up on this in Scotland and it’s total comfort food. I now make it vegan and it’s still something to look forward too. You make it look much more bonnie than it usually looks.
Max Roberts
Wow! It was so good! Every bite takes me on a journey to the enchanting hills of Scotland. A heartfelt thank you for sharing this culinary treasure!
Liam Campbell
I recently prepared your traditional Scottish mince and tatties recipe, and it was a delightful taste of Scotland! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Robert McGregor
As a proud Scot, I can attest that traditional Scottish mince and tatties is a dish close to my heart. The well-seasoned minced meat, paired with creamy mashed potatoes, is a match made in heaven. It’s a dish that warms the soul and reminds me of family gatherings and shared meals.
Fiona MacLeod
Traditional Scottish mince and tatties is a comfort food classic that never fails to satisfy. It’s a dish that brings back memories of home and showcases the rich culinary heritage of Scotland. Simply delightful!