Believe it or not, there is more to Irish cuisine than just potatoes and cabbage. In fact, there are many scrumptious dishes the land of leprechauns and shamrocks has to offer. This list is proof. With 30 recipes to choose from, you won’t run out of Irish dishes to serve at your party. From the traditional colcannon to the unconventional Baileys French toast, these dishes will make your celebration a certified hit. Want to add an Irish flair to your St. Patty’s festivities? You’d better check out these recipes.
1. Colcannon
Because of their abundance, potatoes are widely-used in Irish cooking. That said, it feels only right to start this list with colcannon, a traditional dish made of mashed potatoes mixed with greens, such as cabbage or kale. Mashed potatoes and greens mixed with heavy cream create a warm and satisfying side that pairs well with bangers (sausages) and other meat dishes.
2. Dublin Coddle
The Dublin coddle is another potato-based dish that transforms yesterday’s leftovers into today’s rustic dinner. A combination of potatoes, bacon, sausage, and whatever you have in your fridge, coddle is an easy one-pot dish that has everything you can ask for in a meal. Because it’s simmered for a long period (hence the name) and seasoned with spices, coddle is ridiculously packed with flavor. It’s rustic and homey, but celebration-worthy at the same time.
3. Irish Stew
Just like the coddle, the idea for the Irish stew was brought about by the need to make something out of leftovers. It’s so rich and hearty, I’d willingly make it from scratch, though! The original Irish stew consisted of mutton, potatoes, and onions. Later on, other ingredients such as carrots, parsnips, turnips, and lamb were added. Today, any type of meat can be used to make an Irish stew. For this recipe, in particular, you’ll use beef stew meat.
4. Irish Soda Bread
Back in the 19th century, Ireland went through a potato famine called The Great Hunger. It lasted for seven years and forced people to try other ingredients to create traditional dishes. The Irish soda bread uses baking soda in place of yeast to make bread. It just goes to show how resilient the Irish were! For this recipe, all you need to make bread is flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.
5. Farls (Irish Potato Bread/Cakes)
Farls is a popular breakfast item similar to pancakes. The difference is the batter has potatoes! These spud-tacular pancakes are already rich and savory, but are made even better because they are pan-fried in bacon grease! Talk about decadent, am I right? You can serve farls as is or top them generously with parmesan cheese. Either way, it’s a great way to start the day.
6. Baileys French Toast
This next item may not be an authentic Irish dish, but it does use Irish cream, so I say it counts! This recipe elevates classic French toast into an even more delectable dish that will make your weekend breakfast even more relaxing. The special ingredient – Baileys Irish Cream – adds a boozy twist to the beloved comfort food.
7. Irish Stew Pie
Can’t decide between a stew and a pie? Worry not, for this dish combines the two into one epic dish. Irish stew pie is literally what the name suggests. It’s your favorite hearty Irish stew tucked in a flaky pie crust. Because two comfort foods are better than one. The pie filling is a combination of lamb, potatoes, carrots, and onions in a thick and creamy tomato sauce. The crust couldn’t be any easier. It’s just two pieces of puff pastry. The result is a scrumptious savory pie that’s both taste bud-tingling and soul-satisfying.
8. Potato Candy
Potato in a candy? It’s peculiar, fascinating, and downright delicious! While this dessert does contain potatoes, don’t worry, it tastes nothing like them. The potatoes are only there for binding the ingredients together, and not for flavor. What makes this candy extra yummy is a combination of peanut butter and powdered sugar.
9. Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is an excellent breakfast beverage, especially on cold winter days. This warming, boozy drink is spiked with Baileys and Irish whiskey, so one sip will warm you up for sure! Irish coffee is a simple blend of coffee, sweetened whipped cream, and booze. Pair it with Irish soda bread or farls and your Irish breakfast is complete.
10. Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is the Americanized version of Ireland’s bacon and cabbage. It has more than just corned beef and cabbage, though! Loaded with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, this dish is both hearty and affordable. This is a slow-cooked dish, which means you can expect melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s packed with immense flavors.
11. Irish Potato Soup
Irish potato soup is a simple and rustic dish that’s guaranteed to fill your belly, heart, and soul with joy. It’s hearty, creamy, and chock full of potatoes! It’s also a breeze to make. Seven ingredients (potato, stock, butter, onion, cream, salt, and pepper) and a pot: that’s all there is to it.
12. Irish Bread Pudding
Irish bread pudding is one decadent dessert that’s worth every calorie. Go ahead and indulge in a slice or two… you know you want to! The pudding is already terrific with its custard-like consistency. But what makes it extra sensational is the warm whiskey caramel sauce oozing on top. Made with sugar, cream cheese, butter, and Irish whiskey, it levels up any dessert from 10 to 100.
13. Boxty
Boxty is a traditional Irish breakfast that once again features the humble potato. It’s made with finely grated potatoes, buttermilk, flour, and eggs, and pan-fried into fritters. Think of it as the love child of a hash and a pancake, if you will. This breakfast mash-up is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it veggies, meats, and cheese.
14. Full Irish Breakfast
Feeling extra hungry this morning? Nothing could be more satisfying than a full Irish breakfast. It has bacon, sausages, fried eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, black pudding – the works! It’s an explosion of flavors and textures sure to satisfy your palate. If your day is packed with strenuous activities, this meal is the perfect way to get you started.
15. Irish Apple Cake
The Irish apple cake is like a crossover between an apple pie and a coffee cake, and it’s heavenly. The cake is super light and moist and topped with sweet, tart, and crisp apple slices. It doesn’t end there! Finishing it off is a topping made of butter, sugar, and flour. When baked, the mixture turns into a golden brown streusel that’s wonderfully sweet and buttery.
16. Irish Brown Bread
The traditional Irish brown bread is made with stone-ground flour, giving it a nutty flavor. As this ingredient is not easy to find, you’ll use whole wheat flour and rolled oats instead. Apart from its unique flavor, what sets Irish brown bread apart is the cross carved on top of it to allow for even cooking. Aside from its scientific purpose, the cross is also a superstitious practice meant to ward off the devil!
17. Irish Pasties
These Irish turnovers are filled not only with roast beef, potatoes, and gravy That’s a winning combo! The filling alone is already fantastic, but when sealed in a flaky buttery crust, it becomes even more pasty-rrific.
18. Irish Shortbread
Dating back to the 1500s, Irish shortbread cookies are an all-time favorite teatime treat. It also couldn’t be easier to make. Butter, sugar, and flour: that’s all you need to make these sinful buttery cookies. They’re simple but fit for a king (or in this case, a queen). They’re said to be Queen Victoria’s cookie of choice! The flavor is good, but the texture, even better. They’re crisp on the outside, and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. No wonder both royals and commoners like them.
19. Champ
Champ is just like our very own mashed potatoes but made even better with scallions, milk, cheese, and a ton of butter. It only goes to show that butter makes everything better! The addition of scallions or green onions also makes the tots taste ten times better. Its sharp, peppery flavor compliments the creamy and cheesy dish perfectly.
20. Barmbrack
Barmbrack is an Irish holiday dessert that’s a cross between a cake and bread. Dried fruit, tea, and pumpkin spices give its unique flavor. The word “barmbrack” originated from the Irish term “bairín breac,” meaning “speckled bread.” It refers to the dried fruit scattered throughout the loaf. With a generous slathering of butter and jam, barmbrack makes a tasty breakfast every sweet tooth will enjoy.
21. Shamrock Salad
Shamrock salad is a super healthy salad made of asparagus, snap peas, snow peas, arugula, spinach, and celery. With a simple mustard vinaigrette dressing, it’s a light and refreshing appetizer that pairs well with any rich and hearty entree. Also, its undeniably green hue makes it perfect for St. Patty’s Day!
22. Irish Oatmeal
Irish oatmeal or steel-cut oatmeal is a nutritious and satisfying dish that will surely get you pumped up in the morning. Unlike rolled oats, steel-cut oats are unrefined and minimally processed, which means they contain more good things for the body. Unfortunately, it also means they take longer to cook. But, with the use of the Instant Pot, you can have your hearty Irish oatmeal in as fast as 5 minutes.
23. Irish Pub Cheese Spread
Irish pub cheese spread is a mixture of Irish cheddar, cream cheese, Irish beer, garlic, mustard, and paprika. The result is a sinful and heavenly spread that’s so good, you’ll want it in your life forever. Who knew beer and cheese can make a delicious spread? You can slather it on bread or use it as a dip, but I personally love to eat it with a spoon.
24. Colcannon Soup
Nothing screams Irish comfort more than a bowl of colcannon soup. It’s basically the traditional cabbage and potato dish in soup form, and it’s awesome. What makes it even better is bacon! The crispness and smokiness of the protein are a fabulous addition to the rich and creamy soup.
25. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is arguably the most popular Irish dish there is. With a layer of well-seasoned ground meat and creamy mashed potato topping, this dish is the epitome of Irish comfort food. How on earth can you say no to a slice or two of a shepherd’s pie? Each layer is already perfect as it is. The ground meat, whether beef or lamb, is packed with carrots and corn, and infused with a myriad of herbs and seasonings. The mashed potatoes are made even creamier with parmesan cheese and baked to golden perfection. Put those two together, and you’ll get a stand-alone dish that’s impossible to resist.
26. Shamrock Cookies
Your St. Patrick’s Day will not be complete without these (lucky) charming shamrock cookies! Sugar cookies shaped like shamrocks and adorned with green sprinkles have Ireland written all over them. Aside from the look, these cookies will also impress you with their flavor and texture. You’ll get sweet and buttery, and crisp and tender, all in one delicious bite.
27. Irish Scones
These Irish scones are soft, fluffy, and rich with a wonderful sweet undertone. They’re great on their own, but they’re even more fantastic with honey or jam. What makes the Irish scone different from the scone we know and love? These round pastries are cakier and sweeter than usual. They’re also moist and crumbly at the same time. In short, they’re amazing.
28. Bangers and Mash
Bangers and mash is another classic dish in Irish cooking. A combination of sausage (bangers) and mashed potatoes (mash) is a simple yet stunning meal that’s sure to satisfy.
29. Blarney Stones
Blarney stones are sweet-n-salty bite-sized cakes flavored with peanut butter. This is essentially a pound cake that’s cut into small cubes, dipped in frosting, and coated in crushed peanuts. If you’re not a fan of overly sweet desserts, this one is for you. The sweetness from the pound cake and the saltiness from the peanut butter and nuts create a perfect balance of flavors.
30. Shamrock Shake
Ice cream, milk, and mint: it’s a simple blend that yields an outrageously tasty beverage. Unlike the shamrock salad, the shamrock shake is far from being nutritious. But because it’s so darn good, I’m sure you won’t mind. Click on a star to rate it!
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