And they’re not all potatoes (although there’s plenty here to satisfy spud fans). Celebrate St. Patrick’s all day long with this list of 25 Irish-themed recipes. I’d suggest shamrock pancakes for breakfast, Irish nachos for lunch, and beef and cabbage sliders for dinner. If you’ve still got room after that, how about some Irish fruit salad, or potato candy (yes, that’s a thing). If you don’t know your coddle from your colcannon, read on. There’s lots to learn and devour in these inventive, intriguing, and very Irish recipes.
1. Baileys French Toast
If you want to mix things up and start your St. Paddy’s with a bang, this boozy breakfast is the way to go. Baileys is used liberally in this decadent dish – whipped into the rich custard, and used to make a dreamy cream sauce. But it’s saved from getting too rich by fresh berries, providing just the right amount of tart sweetness against that heavenly stack of Baileys-soaked bread.
2. Shamrock Pancakes
Ok, so these are simply pancakes, shaped like shamrocks, but they’re cute and tasty. They’re also vibrantly green thanks to the addition of some Irish-themed food coloring. Serve these fluffy emerald pancakes on St Patrick’s Day morning. Kids big and small will go crazy for the color.
3. Green Oatmeal
Another green breakfast, this oatmeal is a healthy, fun way to start the day. Sneak in some spinach to give this nourishing porridge an Irish makeover. Not fond of spinach for breakfast? I hear you, but it’s so subtle in this dish you won’t even know it’s there. Except for the fact that your bowl looks like the Hulk’s favorite pudding.
4. Boxty
Boxty is a thick potato pancake. It’s a very old recipe, popular not just in Ireland but also the North of England and Scotland. Served as a side, or combined with eggs and bacon for a hearty breakfast, boxty is easy to make, economical on ingredients, and downright delicious.
5. Full Irish Breakfast
A ‘full Irish’ is a versatile thing. Everyone has their own version of this traditional recipe that’s more of an experience than a meal. The basic ingredients are fried egg, thick bacon, black pudding, sausage, tomato, mushrooms, beans, and hash browns. If that sounds like a long list, it is. Clear some room in your stomach for this one, you’ll need the space.
6. Irish Mashed Potatoes (Colcannon)
No-one knows potatoes like the Irish, the starchy veg accompanies almost every meal. One popular pick is mash. But not just any mash. Colcannon is a creamy mix of buttery, fluffy potatoes and fresh greens such as cabbage or kale. It’s a very flexible dish, and this recipe gives lots of options if you want to get adventurous with your spuds. Add salty bacon for a meaty kick, sprinkle in garlic for a flavorful hit. Whatever you do, always serve with a knob of melting butter. That part’s non-negotiable.
7. Irish Stew
Irish stew was invented as a culinary antidepressant for the drizzly Irish winters. Or at least that’s my theory. This is definitely a mood-boosting meal. Tender chunks of beef, fresh carrots, and starchy potatoes simmer in a rich broth. If there’s snow in the St. Patrick’s Day forecast, you might want to get a pot of this classic comfort food bubbling on the stove.
8. Irish Soda Bread
Soda bread is a thick, Irish quick bread made with buttermilk and baking soda rather than yeast. At first glance, it looks like a thick, dense slab, but that crusty exterior hides a perfectly moist and fluffy crumb. Serve warm with heaps of butter and a good cup of tea for the full Irish experience.
9. Irish Barmbrack
Barmbrack is somewhere between a cake and bread. And that’s a good place to be. Flavored with dried fruit and spices, this bread was traditionally served during Samhain (that’s Halloween to North America). It’s a fitting bread for the end of the harvest, but equally welcome at St. Patrick’s Day feasts.
10. Corned Beef and Cabbage
Probably the most well-known Irish dish, corned beef and cabbage gets a bad rap but is simple, easy, and delicious when done right. With this recipe you don’t even have to do any work to produce the perfect beef and cabbage stew. Just pile all your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it simmer while the beef turns tender and your belly rumbles in anticipation.
11. Irish Potato Soup
Thick, nourishing, and very satisfying, potato stew is another cold weather favorite. This is a dish steeped in both tradition and flavor. It was regularly served in rural kitchens, using ingredients that were readily to hand. You may not be coming in from a hard day’s work in the fields, but a bowl of this rich, creamy soup still hits the spot.
12. Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders with Guinness Mustard
Europe meets America in this creative recipe, which makes for a fun and festive appetizer. Spicy beef brisket is slow-cooked and then shredded before being stuffed into a soft bun. Topped with tangy coleslaw and a grainy Guinness mustard, it’s the perfect finger food for a St. Patrick’s Day bash.
13. Reuben-Topped Irish Nachos
Nachos are definitely not Irish, but the Irish are a very welcoming people and enjoy crunchy crabs as much as the rest of the world. This is globalisation at its finest. Heavily influenced by the Irish, these nachos swop chips for baked potato slices, and lean corned beef for the usual Mexican-spiced topping. Dressed with cheese and a bit of sauerkraut, it’s weird but wonderful, and it definitely works.
14. Champ
Champ is similar to colcannon, in that it’s basically mashed potatoes. The big difference lies in the add-ons. Champ typically swirls in sliced green onions and blends everything together with milk and butter. (Lots of butter.)
15. Potato Scones for St. Patrick’s Day
Anyone who has an Irish grandmother is familiar with the one-of-a-kind taste of fresh, soft potato scones served warm with butter. As with most Irish recipes, these scones are a frugal but flavorful snack – making the most of leftover mash. Simply mix your mash with flour and milk to make a basic dough, then knead into triangles and fry until golden brown and awesome.
16. Corned Beef and Cabbage Tacos
Liven up your St. Patrick’s Day with this Irish-Mexican fusion that’s the perfect party food. Spicy corned beef brisket is sliced and combined with cheese and shredded cabbage. Stuff into a soft tortilla or crispy taco shells and have lots of napkins in hand in case it gets messy (the good kind of messy).
17. St. Patrick’s Day Pot-O-Gold Popcorn Bites
It seems to be an unfortunate reality that you can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without someone mentioning leprechauns. When they do, give them these popcorn bites – the crunchy, nibbly, irresistible ‘pot of gold’ at the end of the rainbow. Drenched in butter and honey, these fried caramel bites do taste like treasure.
18. St. Patrick’s Day Appetizer Shamrock Veggie Skewers
These shamrock skewers are both adorable and appetizing. Serve on St. Patrick’s Day, and they’ll do double duty as a delicious treat and a great conversation starter. Made from bell peppers, cucumbers, and broccoli, they’re green, healthy and perfect for snacking and dipping.
19. St. Patrick’s Day Appetizer Shamrock Crackers and Green Dip
The foodie behind this amazing recipe calls them ‘sneaky’ shamrock crackers. Why? Because we’re getting devious with our ingredients here, sneaking in spinach for little eaters. These healthy crackers are homemade from scratch, but don’t let that put you off. This is an easy dough that’s super simple to roll out and shape. It’s served with a vibrantly green hummus, just in case you weren’t feeling Irish enough.
20. St. Patrick’s Day Appetizer Irish Deviled Eggs with Corned Beef and Cabbage
Irish deviled eggs feature those classics of the cuisine – corned beef and greens. It’s simple, but with a lot of complicated tastes. Egg yolks are blended with finely sliced cabbage and beef to make a rich paste. Piped into hollowed-out egg whites and topped with carrots and parsley, it’s an appetizer that’s more like a main meal.
21. Irish Colcannon Puffs
If you’re bored with your colcannon recipe, here’s a chance to take it to the next level. Once you’ve made your mash, scoop it into balls, and bake until golden. They’re crispy on the outside and soft and savory on the inside. They’re great solo with a side dip or served with a meaty main.
22. Dublin Coddle
Dublin coddle is one of those chuck-everything-in-a-pot meals. It was a way to use up leftovers for thrifty Irish cooks. A salty, savory combo of sausage, bacon, potatoes and onions, coddle is uniquely comforting casserole. Dump everything in a Dutch oven and simmer in broth until meaty and delicious.
23. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground lamb (hence the ‘shepherd’). Some like to use beef instead, but it’s worth going the extra mile to follow the culinary custom on St. Patrick’s Day and make the most of spring lamb. Either way, this is a centuries-old dish that’s survived because it’s simple and delicious. A meat filling, topped with cheesy mash, it’s a crowd-pleaser down the generations. When Sir Walter Raleigh introduced the potato to Ireland in 1589, he probably wasn’t thinking about this yummy casserole, but I’ll bet he’d be proud.
24. Shamrock Cookies
Sugar cookies shaped like shamrocks are the perfect finishing touch for your St. Patrick’s Day fare. These are delightful. Dipped in chocolate and covered with green sprinkles, they’re almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
25. Irish Potato Candy
Trust the Irish to turn potatoes into confectionery. Only kidding! This ‘candy’ doesn’t actually contain any veggies (I bet you’re breathing a sigh of relief right now). They’re bite-sized nuggets made from cream cheese, coconut, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and butter. Simply mix everything together, roll into balls (or ‘potatoes’) and chill. This is a fun, easy project for little cooks who are sure to enjoy eating their efforts. Click on a star to rate it!
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