These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (2024)

From green drinks to traditional dishes, celebrate March 17 with these Irish-inspired recipes.

By Rachel Baron and Jamie Ballard
These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (1)

Many of the dishes associated with St. Patrick's Day may not have come from the Irish themselves, but that doesn't mean they can't be part of the St. Patrick's Day feast. Corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and Guinness-infused desserts might be best described as Irish-American dishes, but there's no denying that they're a major part of many St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the world. We've rounded up the best St. Patrick's Day foods, from traditional pub fare to modern dishes that everyone will love.

From green-hued St. Patrick's Day desserts to St. Patrick's Day appetizers that put potatoes front and center, these foods are sure to be a hit at any table. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just want to add a little festiveness to your family's dinner, there's a recipe here for you. When in doubt, add some green foods to the mix for a St. Patrick's Day atmosphere.

You can also read up on some of the most popular St. Patrick's Day traditions to prepare for the big day. And don't forget to bookmark a few St. Patrick's Day drink recipes so you can raise your glass on March 17.

1

Shepherd's Pie

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (2)

This cozy meat-and-potatoes dish is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. If you're going for a more traditional take on the dish, you'll want to use ground lamb rather than ground beef in the casserole. We say you can't go wrong with either, especially when you're topping the mixture with creamy mashed potatoes.

Get the Shepherd's Pie recipe.

2

Ham and Cheese Beer Bread

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (3)

You just can't go wrong when you bring together flavorful ham, melty cheese and beer. Whether you're Irish or not, this deserves a spot at the table.

Get the Ham and Cheese Beer Bread recipe.

3

Dijon and Green Peppercorn–Crusted Standing Rib Roast

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (4)

According to the blog Irish American Mom, the most popular St. Patrick's Day meal in Ireland is a roast. If you're looking to make something truly special for the holiday, we'd recommend this standing rib roast brushed with a savory, aromatic mustard mixture and served with a white wine and shallot pan sauce.

Get the Dijon and Green Peppercorn–Crusted Standing Rib Roast recipe.

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4

Roasted Lamb Chops with Snap Pea Salad

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (5)

Another common dish served on St. Patrick's Day is lamb. This year, try this dish which brings together juicy lamb chops and a light, fresh salad that's perfect for spring.

Get the Roasted Lamb Chops with Snap Pea Salad recipe.

5

Soda Bread

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (6)

Is it really St. Paddy's Day if you don't eat some soda bread? For the ultimate holiday feast, pair this quintessential Irish side with some corned beef and cabbage.

Get the Soda Bread recipe.

6

Chocolate Whoopie Pies

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (7)

A splash of smooth and creamy dark beer — such as Guinness — adds complexity and depth of flavor to chocolate cake batter.

Get the Chocolate Whoopie Pies recipe.

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7

Colcannon

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (8)

A traditional Irish staple, this classic dish is made of creamy mashed potatoes and greens — in this case, kale. Yes, please!

Get the Colcannon recipe.

8

Guinness Beef Stew

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (9)

Stout beer and fresh herbs add major flavor to this St. Patrick's Day favorite.

Get the Guinness Beef Stew recipe.

RELATED: 27 Best Dutch Oven Recipes: Cozy Dinners and Decadent Desserts

9

Green Beer

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (10)

On St. Paddy's Day, beer dyed green totally counts as food. Use your favorite light beer for a prettier color (and extra-refreshing taste).

Get the Green Beer recipe.

RELATED: 25 Best St. Patrick's Day Drinks That Will Bring You Extra Luck

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10

Shortbread Squares

Use good Irish butter in these rich cookies to really take them over the top.

Get the Shortbread Squares recipe.

11

Homemade Irish Cream

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Made with condensed milk, heavy cream and Irish whiskey, you're only a DIY away from homemade Baileys. Yum!

Get the Homemade Irish Cream recipe.

RELATED: 45 Classic co*cktails That You Can Whip Up Anytime

12

Corned Beef and Cabbage

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (13)

This is probably the dish that first comes to mind when you think of St. Paddy's Day. With hearty beef and roasted cabbage, this meal is every bit as satisfying as it sounds.

Get the Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe.

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13

Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes

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Mashed potatoes who? Smashed potatoes are less common than their mashed cousin, but this buttery, crispy recipe will have you wondering why that is.

Get the Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes recipe.

RELATED: 58 Easy Potato Recipes For Weeknight Dinners, Thanksgiving and More

14

Cheddar-Beer Fondue

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This oozy, boozy spread makes a great St. Patrick's appetizer for any party. And there are tons more ways you can cook with your Irish stout, if you want to make it a theme: Try Guinness chocolate cake for dessert!

Get the Cheddar-Beer Fondue recipe.

RELATED: 8 Best Fondue Pots

15

Potato Leek Soup

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Like St. Patrick's Day itself, this potato soup flavored with garlic, fennel and leeks feels like winter with a nod to spring.

Get the Potato Leek Soup recipe.

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16

Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Cabbage

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (17)

Take a break from lamb and beef with this equally nourishing roast pork main, lightened up with a zippy cabbage side.

Get the Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Cabbage recipe.

17

Lucky Charm Cookies

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (18)

Mix Lucky Charms cereal into this cookie dough to make them magically delicious through and through.

Get the Lucky Charm Cookies recipe.

18

Parsnip and Potato Mash

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It wouldn't be St. Paddy's Day without a side of potatoes! Plus, this creamy potato mash will complement just about any main dish.

Get the Parsnip and Potato Mash recipe.

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19

Boxty

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (20)

Your whole crew is sure to love these Irish potato pancakes. They're crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and delicious all the way through.

Get the Boxty recipe from Delish.

20

Beer Battered Cod and Roasted Potato Salad

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (21)

For a lighter iteration of fish and chips, try pairing crisp beer-battered cod with mustardy roasted potato salad. Fun fact: while the British call fish and chip shops “chippies,” they’re actually referred to as “chippers” in Ireland.

Get the Beer Battered Cod and Roasted Potato Salad recipe from Woman's Day.

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (2024)

FAQs

What is a good Irish meal for St Patrick's day? ›

Patrick's Day party, including soda bread and a seriously tasty trifle to whip up for dessert.
  • Bacon and Cabbage. ...
  • Irish Soda Bread. ...
  • Irish Stew. ...
  • Irish Coffe. ...
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage. ...
  • Colcannon.

What is the most famous Irish dish? ›

Irish stew: This is the dish Irish people are most likely to roll out for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Hearty chunks of lamb are slow-cooked in a rich gravy with onion, potatoes, carrot and parsley. Coddle is a traditional Dublin stew with sausages, onion, potato and bacon – or rashers as they're known locally.

What is the traditional Irish side dish often consumed on St Patrick's day? ›

5 Traditional St. Patrick's Day Side Dishes
  • 01 of 06. Irish Brown Soda Bread. View Recipe. Irish. ...
  • 02 of 06. Colcannon. View Recipe. CookinBug. ...
  • 03 of 06. Fried Irish Cabbage with Bacon. View Recipe. Baking Nana. ...
  • 04 of 06. Irish Boxty. View Recipe. Nola LeNoir. ...
  • 05 of 06. Mashed Peas. View Recipe. ...
  • 06 of 06. Get More St. Patrick's Day Dishes.
Feb 25, 2021

What food did the Irish immigrants eat in the United States on St Patrick's day? ›

During the time of the Irish immigration to the U.S., the first generation of Irish Americans were in search of the comforting tastes of their homeland. On St. Paddy's Day, that meant boiled bacon.

Is there a special meal for St. Patrick's Day? ›

Corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and Guinness-infused desserts might be best described as Irish-American dishes, but there's no denying that they're a major part of many St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the world. We've rounded up the best St.

What is a favorite Irish meal? ›

Colcannon and champ

Colcannon is a classic, comforting mash of potatoes, cabbage (or kale) and butter (or cream), flavoured with spring onions. Champ is a similar, mashed potato favourite, flavoured with spring onions, milk and butter. Try making your own... Colcannon or champ made with mustard or celeriac.

What are 3 traditional foods of Ireland? ›

By the 21st century, much traditional Irish cuisine was being revived. Representative dishes include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, brown bread (as it is referred to in the South) or soda bread (predominantly used in Ulster), coddle, and colcannon.

What is Ireland's national food? ›

Irish Stew is a thick, hearty dish of mutton, potatoes, and onions and undisputedly the national dish of Ireland.

Which vegetable is associated with St Patrick's Day? ›

Patrick's Day celebrations call for displays of green from town fountains and beer to clothing and food. Speaking of food, green cabbage is a traditional ingredient in Irish dishes but there are more kidney-friendly green veggie recipes to consider for this holiday meal.

What does an Irish breakfast look like? ›

A traditional full Irish breakfast comprises bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread or toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and white or black pudding.

Is sauerkraut an Irish dish? ›

Sauerkraut and Cabbage feature big in both Irish and German cuisine and experience a revival in both countries. Used as a pizza topping, added to soups, salads and sandwiches, co*cktails and even in chocolate cake and donuts, sauerkraut's versatility is clear.

What did the Irish eat during the Irish famine? ›

Scientific analysis of dental calculus – plaque build-up – of victims found evidence of corn (maize), oats, potato, wheat and milk foodstuffs. The corn came from so-called Indian meal imported in vast amounts to Ireland from the United States as relief food for the starving populace.

What is a popular dish eaten on St. Patrick's Day? ›

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Though families across the globe prepare this dish every St. Patrick's Day, the truth is that the dish originated in Ireland as bacon and cabbage. It wasn't until Irish immigrants in America substituted bacon for corned beef in the 19th century that the dish became what it's known as today.

What is Ireland's national dish? ›

Believed to have been a staple of Irish cuisine since around the year 1800, heart-warming homemade stew remains a firm favourite to this day. To many across the country, Irish stew is the national dish of Ireland. The methods and flavour of an Irish stew vary from person to person and have evolved over the years.

What is the name of the Irish stew? ›

Irish stew (Irish: Stobhach Gaelach) or Stobhach is a stew native to Ireland that is traditionally made with root vegetables and lamb or mutton, but also commonly with beef. As in all traditional folk dishes, the exact recipe is not consistent from time to time, or place to place.

What does the Irish phrase Erin go bra mean? ›

Patrick's Day, people turn to their dictionary to look up Erin go bragh, which means “Ireland forever.” The original Irish phrase was Erin go brách (or go bráth), which translates literally as “Ireland till doomsday.” It's an expression of loyalty and devotion that first appeared in English during the late 18th-century ...

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