Mince and Tatties (Scottish Ground Beef Recipe)

Mince and tatties is simply a Scottish name for ground beef and potatoes. The ground beef recipe includes a tasty gravy. When served alongside fluffy mashed or boiled potatoes, it’s a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for colder weather.

Growing up in Scotland, mince and tatties was a meal that came with the territory, despite having an Italian mother.

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It would be like a Scot moving to Italy and not making pasta, if my mother hadn’t joined the ranks of everyone around her who made this traditional Scottish meal.

It is a perfect meal for cold and rainy days, which is probably the reason it’s so popular in Scotland!

What are Tatties in Scotland?

Tatties are a nickname for potatoes. Sometimes the word “totties” is also used, but tatties is more common. You can serve mince with boiled potatoes instead of mashing them, as this is probably the most classic and traditional way to serve it. However, I find most people prefer mashed, so that’s what I’ve presented here.

You may have seen the recipe for my potato scones, which are also referred to as “tattie scones”. They’re great with a full Scottish breakfast or fry up, along with square sausage.

Mince and tatties might be described as a deconstructed cottage pie. It’s essentially the same basic recipe, but assembled differently and not baked (unlike these cottage pie potatoes!)  It’s a superb weeknight meal that can be made ahead and just heated to serve. It also freezes beautifully.

You can add peas right into the mince if you like, instead of serving them on the side. Both ways are acceptable in Scotland. However, if you’re like me, I keep them on the side for whoever wants them because I dislike peas, can you believe it? 

Need a Scottish dessert to end this meal? Check out my Scottish dessert recipes!

Note: if you know me, you’ll probably be wondering why I’ve got two processed ingredients in this recipe. The main reason is that I use these products so rarely, and they add so much to the end result that I do use them in this dish. I give options so you can skip them, so please just use beef stock if you want to skip OXO and Bisto.

Sauté the onion and carrot in a heavy pot with the olive oil over medium high heat until the onion becomes translucent.

Add the mince, or ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller bits.

Continue cooking for about 7 minutes, stirring often.

Make the Mashed Potatoes (Tatties)

Put the potatoes in cold, salted water that just covers them. Bring to a boil, then simmer until cooked (a fork is inserted easily). Drain, mash with the butter, then add enough milk or milk and cream until the mashed potatoes are light and fluffy. 

Serve the Mince and Tatties

Spoon a quarter of the mashed potatoes onto each of four plates, then do the same with the mince.

If desired, serve with cooked peas.

The Peas can be Served in two Ways with the Mince and Tatties

Alternatively, you can mix the peas into the mince and then serve.

Serve immediately, and enjoy a taste of Scotland!

Can I Freeze the Ground Beef and Mashed Potatoes Dish?

Yes, mince and tatties freezes very well. You can dish up individual servings, too. Just put as much meat and potatoes (and peas, if desired) as you like in freezer proof bowls, seal and freeze for up to 2 months.

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Mince and Tatties (Scottish Ground Beef Recipe)

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

A traditional, hearty, Scottish recipe of ground beef and mashed potatoes.

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Ingredients

Mince

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 large carrot
• 1 lb ground beef, organic if possible
• 1 Tbsp Better than Bouillon beef flavor or 1 OXO beef cube (or 10 oz beef stock)
• 1 Tbsp Bisto (beef flavor in red)
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt (if needed)
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

Mashed potatoes (or boiled)

• 4 large potatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 oz (1/2 stick) good quality butter
• milk or half and half (enough to make the mashed potatoes fluffy)

Instructions

Prepare the Mince (Ground Beef and Gravy)

1. Boil 10 ounces of water, pour into a jug and add the OXO cube or bouillon, and stir to dissolve. (If using stock, skip this.)
   
2. Sauté the onion and carrot in a pot with the olive oil over medium high heat until the onion becomes translucent.
   
3. Add the mince, or ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller bits.
   
4. Continue cooking for about 7 minutes, stirring often.
   Pour in the beef stock and stir. At this time, add the Bisto and Worcestershire sauce. If you want a thicker gravy, add more Bisto, but remember, you're also adding salt. Add more water if you want a runnier gravy or more gravy, but adjust the seasoning later.
5. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat so that it simmers gently. Cook for about 20 minutes (or until the mashed potatoes are ready), then taste and add salt and pepper to taste. 
   

Make the Mashed Potatoes (Tatties)

1. Put the potatoes in cold, salted water that just covers them. Bring to a boil, then simmer until cooked (a fork is inserted easily).
2. Drain, mash with the butter, then add enough milk or milk and cream until the mashed potatoes are light and fluffy. 

Serve the Mince and Tatties

1. Spoon a quarter of the mashed potatoes onto each of four plates, then do the same with the mince.
2. If desired, serve with cooked peas.
3. Alternatively, you can mix the peas into the mince and serve this way, also.

Notes

OXO cubes may be difficult to find in the US, however, beef flavored BISTO is readily available on Amazon, Cost Plus, and British shops.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 866Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1476mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 8gSugar: 9gProtein: 52g

Nutrition information is only estimated.

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