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

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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

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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

These Irish-Inspired Recipes Are Perfect to Make on St. Patrick's Day (11)

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

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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

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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 are some Irish dishes 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 traditional Irish side dish often consumed on St. Patrick's day? ›

Colcannon is a classic Irish side dish made with silky cooked cabbage and buttery mashed potatoes. It happens to be closely aligned with St. Patrick's Day celebrations in North America, but it's primarily eaten at Halloween in Ireland. It does match beautifully with other classic St.

Which stereotypical Irish meal was actually created by Irish immigrants in the United States? ›

But some Irish Americans might be surprised by another entry on that list of suspect foods: corned beef and cabbage. Experts say the meal originated on American soil in the late 19th century as Irish immigrants substituted corned beef for bacon, which was meat of choice in the homeland.

Which of the following is a traditional dish enjoyed on St Patricks 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 do you eat for dinner on St. Patrick's day? ›

That might mean corned beef and cabbage, the standout dish stateside, or a lamb or beef stew—the entrées those in the Emerald Isle are most likely to eat on March 17. Perhaps you'd prefer bangers and mash or a Guinness pie packed with beef?

What is a typical Irish dinner? ›

Traditional Irish Dishes

A classic Irish stew is made with onions, potatoes and lamb, but you'll find beef stews are popular as well. Irish Soda Bread - Eaten any time of day, Irish soda bread is a staple on tables throughout the country.

What food is popular in Irish culture? ›

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 food did Irish people bring to America? ›

If you like sour cream, pancakes, clam chowder and that Yankee staple known as the New England boiled dinner, you can thank the Scotch-Irish settlers who sailed into Casco Bay nearly 300 years ago.

What attracted Irish immigrants to America? ›

Pushed out of Ireland by religious conflicts, lack of political autonomy and dire economic conditions, these immigrants, who were often called "Scotch-Irish," were pulled to America by the promise of land ownership and greater religious freedom.

What food do Irish Americans eat? ›

Irish-American Dishes You Need To Try, How do these rankings work?
  • White Soda Bread. ...
  • Skillet Beef And Black Beer Stew. ...
  • Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich. ...
  • Guinness Beer Cheese Dip. ...
  • Slow Cooker Irish Chili. ...
  • Bailey's Irish Cream Mini Cheesecakes. ...
  • Slow Cooker Corned Beef.

What are 5 food items associated with St. Patrick's day? ›

40 Best St. Patrick's Day Foods for Celebrating in 2024
  • We're counting down the days to St Patrick's Day! ...
  • Green Beer. ...
  • Butter-Braised Cabbage with Cream and Garlic. ...
  • Smashed Potatoes. ...
  • Baked Cabbage and Potato Buns. ...
  • Classic Beef Wellington. ...
  • Clover Whiskey Sour. ...
  • Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Soup.
Mar 5, 2024

What beverage is most consumed on St. Patrick's day? ›

The holiday is a huge moneymaker for pubs as people drink Guinness after Guinness, the most popular drink of the day. The amount of alcohol sold tallies up to billions of dollars, but the average bar tab tends to be reasonably priced.

What is the traditional vegetable for St. Patrick's day? ›

Throughout history, plentiful and nutrient-rich cabbage has been a mainstay in Ireland. Ina Garten's Sauteed Cabbage celebrates this sturdy vegetable, by sauteing it simply with butter, salt and pepper. Get more ways to ring in St. Patrick's Day right here.

What is a leprechaun's favorite food? ›

Maybe you would wish for food, like maybe some ice cream. Do you think leprechauns like ice cream? Well, turns out Leprechauns eat different types of wild- flowers, nuts, potatoes, and mushrooms. They also enjoy fancy homemade beverages and on given occasions, they take dandelion tea.

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 ...

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.

What's Irish bacon? ›

Unlike American bacon, Irish bacon is made from the back of the pig instead of the belly and is much leaner than streaky bacon. I used a presliced Irish bacon for this recipe but whole versions are available in British specialty shops. Most of the flavor in this dish comes from the bacon that you choose.

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