If you’re a fan of hearty fare like potatoes and stew then you probably look forward to March 17th as much as we do. Sure, it’s fun to participate in the American version of the holiday by starting your meal with green appetizers or treating yourself to a festive St. Patrick’s Day dessert, but the best part of this day is digging into a plate piled high with dishes that celebrate Irish cuisine.
For some of us, that means cooking up inspired classics like corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie. For others, it’s all about sticking to tradition and making colcannon or boxty.
However you choose to pay tribute to the food and cooking of the Emerald Isle, we’re sure these recipes will come in handy. We’ve rounded up everything from cute, shamrock-shaped scones to Irish coddle — and we’re sure you’re going to love each and every recipe.
A must-make no matter how you celebrate? This 5-star corned beef and cabbage. It requires a bit of time and effort but the leftover corned beef makes for excellent hash the next day.
Irish Coddle
Like many traditional dishes, the recipe for Irish coddle (also known as Dublin coddle) varies widely from family to family.
Born in 1700s inner-city Dublin tenements, it’s a grab-what-you-have kind of stew that simmers low and slow to peak deliciousness. The building blocks of the dish (bacon, sausage, onions, potatoes and plenty of parsley and black pepper) add up to more than the sum of their parts, creating a dark, flavorful broth and an incredibly warm bowl of nourishment. Serving with slices of soda bread is a must and adding a splash of Ireland’s favorite beer, while optional, is very highly recommended!
Irish Potato Candies
The name of this candy is misleading: There are no potatoes included in the dish. Instead, it’s a beloved sweet treat meant to resemble adorable little potatoes.
Irish potato candies are traditional seasonal confections found at candy stores and groceries around St. Patrick’s Day, particularly in the Philadelphia area. The Philly version consists of a smooth, sweet mixture studded with shredded coconut and then rolled in ground cinnamon for a two-bite treat that looks just like a mini potato.
Cheddar Chive Four-Leaf Clover Scones
Start your St. Patrick’s Day off on the right foot with these savory scones shaped like lucky four-leaf clovers.
Classic Irish Coffee
Top the whiskey-spiked coffee with a homemade brown sugar whipped cream for the perfect St. Patrick’s Day pick-me-up!
St. Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Layer Cake
Skip cream cheese frosting in favor of old-fashioned boiled frosting for this layered cake.
Guinness Brownies
Guinness® stout is a very dark beer that boasts notes of coffee and caramel, two ingredients that pair naturally well with chocolate. For this recipe, the Guinness is reduced to a syrup to intensify the flavors and really make the chocolate stand out.
The brownies are a nice marriage of fudgy and cakey and are intensely chocolatey, thanks to the bittersweet chocolate and cocoa powder.
Shepherd’s Pie Potato Bowls
Don’t be fooled. These aren’t ordinary twice-baked potatoes: beneath the golden mashed potato top is a rich beef and vegetable filling. And unlike your casserole dish, the potato bowls are also edible.
St. Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Cupcake Shamrocks
The old-fashioned boiled frosting for these Emerald Isle green cupcakes is creamy and fluffy.
St. Patrick’s Day Spinach Pancakes and Corned Beef Hash
These bright green savory pancakes have an incredibly moist, custardy texture, and a fresh oniony bite.
St. Patrick’s Day Fried Cabbage
This classic St. Patrick’s Day side dish isn’t truly fried, but still cooks in plenty of butter and bacon drippings. A dash of Worcestershire adds an extra savory note.
