30 Traditional Irish Foods Everyone Should Eat on St. Patrick's Day (2024)

This recipe combines two traditional Irish ingredients: cabbage and sausage! You'll find both used in many dishes throughout the country. All you need is a crusty loaf of bread or Irish soda bread and the one-pan meal is complete.

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Here's a fun fact about Irish cream: One of the most popular Irish cream liqueurs, Baileys, was originally invented by an Englishman in London! However, the drink is made with real Irish whiskey and Irish cream. You may already know that the liqueur is the key to some of our favorite drinks, including Irish coffee. But you can also drink it straight up over ice or use it as an ingredient in your favorite St. Patrick's Day dessert.

Get the Homemade Irish Cream recipe.

Savory meat pies are a pub-favorite in Ireland. And this variation is packed with Irish flavor. The filling is made up of beef, potatoes, veggies, and even Guinness beer. The homemade crust is flaky, buttery, and studded with fresh chives to further enhance that savory flavor.

Get Ree's Beef and Potato Pie recipe.

In Ireland, there are all different kinds of bread made from potatoes. One variation is called "farls" which is typically flat and fried, but other types are fluffier breads, similar to these potato rolls. You'll definitely want to serve it with Irish butter or use it for sliders with your leftover corned beef.

Get the Potato Rolls recipe.

Cake might not be the first thing that comes to mind when think about Guinness, but the Dublin-based beer that was first invented back in 1759 is a surprisingly delicious ingredient in this homemade cake! The slightly bitter, malty flavor of the Irish dry stout pairs up nicely with dark chocolate.

Get the Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe.

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Traditionally, Irish apple cakes would be steamed in pots over an open fire, but these days they're baked with tons of warm and comforting spices. This version also has a buttery oat crumble and a decadent custard sauce drizzled over the top!

Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.

Despite what you might think, corned beef and cabbage isn't traditionally Irish at all. It's actually an Americanized twist on the more traditional bacon and cabbage dish that was brought to the U.S. by Irish immigrants in the late 19th century. Corned beef does have its Irish roots dating back to the 17th century when the British outsourced their beef from cows in Ireland. They started salting the beef with big kernels of salt and coined the term "corned beef." So, while the concept wasn't necessarily Irish—it was the beef!

Get the Corned Beef recipe.

Often referred to as "bread and butter pudding," this comforting dessert keeps things simple by repurposing leftover bread into this treat. The traditional method layers buttered bread with raisins and a mixture of eggs, milk, and sugar. However, our version takes things one step further by swapping the bread for buttery croissants, then adding berries and white chocolate for extra sweetness.

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Cabbage is a staple ingredient in Irish cuisine, just like potatoes. It was often readily available for the average household. The most common preparation is served with boiled bacon. (It wasn't until the 19th century when immigrants started substituting corned beef for bacon.) Of course, we can't help but serve our bacon fried so it gets extra crispy—it's also a great excuse to cook the cabbage in those bacon drippings.

Get the Fried Cabbage recipe.

Ireland is surrounded by the Celtic Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Irish sea—all of which play a role in both the weather and the food. So you're never too far away from access to fresh seafood. That's why seafood chowders are so common in the country. They're also a great way to warm up on a damp, chilly day. For this comforting recipe, the clams, potatoes, and creamy broth are delicious when served with a slice of Irish bread.

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Here’s another way to get your fill of potatoes and cabbage! The traditional mashed potato dish is typically combined with cabbage (or other greens), scallions, and plenty of Irish butter. The name may be derived from the Gaelic term cal ceannann which translates to white-headed cabbage. The Irish side dish is so popular, there’s even a traditional folk song dedicated to it. The lyrics start with: “Did you ever eat Colcannon made from lovely pickled cream? With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.”

Get the Colcannon recipe.

Irish stews would originally be made with mutton, but now you'll find them with beef or lamb. The comforting, humble ingredients make it a dish that's lasted for ages.

Get Ree's Beef Stew recipe.

Take a trip to Ireland and you'll find this popular quick bread in restaurants, bakeries, and homes throughout the year. It's often scored with an "X" to ward off evil, according to folklore—now that's a fun fact you can take to any St. Paddy's Day party!

Get the Irish Soda Bread recipe.

You don't have to be Irish to enjoy this whiskey-infused coffee drink. In fact, it doesn't even need to be St. Patrick's Day—just ask Ree Drummond! Whenever you serve it, just be sure to add a heaping dollop of the Baileys whipped cream!

Get Ree's Irish Coffee recipe.

This comforting main dish, sometimes called cottage pie, is the cure to any cold night of the year. Ree's shepherd's pie is made with ground beef and veggies, then topped with a creamy layer of mashed potatoes. It's a great make-ahead St. Paddy's Day dinner.

Get the Shepherd's Pie recipe.

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Many Irish side dishes consist of root vegetables, but that doesn't just mean potatoes! Carrots, turnips and parsnips are often showcased too. Here, the carrots and parsnips are glazed in a sweet and savory sauce, that pairs well with meat or fish.

Get Ree's Honey Glazed Carrots and Parsnips recipe.

Potatoes have a long and complicated history in Ireland, but one thing's for sure is that potatoes are a staple in Irish cuisine. Irish potato soup is a simple and delicious way to warm your soul.

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These Irish potato cakes are made with both raw grated potatoes and mashed potatoes. It's part pancake and part hash brown: what's not to love? Serve them for breakfast, dinner or a midnight snack.

Get the Boxty recipe at Veggie Desserts.

A traditional Irish breakfast will keep you fueled up for a day full of St. Paddy's Day celebrations. It's similar to an English breakfast and is loaded with all kinds of tasty goodies, like bacon, sausage, eggs, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, potatoes, bread, and white and black pudding.

Get the Full Irish Breakfast recipe at Mama Loves Ireland.

In the United States, smoked salmon is usually associated with bagels. But in Ireland, smoked salmon is commonly found throughout the country for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.

Get the Cured Salmon recipe.

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