Hold up! Before you plan your St. Patrick’s Day menu, you need to see this. I’ve got a collection of recipes so incredible, they’ll become your new go-to favorites.
Seriously, the land of shamrocks has some unbelievably scrumptious dishes to offer, and this list is all the proof you’ll need. With 25 amazing Irish recipes to choose from, your party menu is basically set.
We’ve got everything from the super traditional colcannon to a ridiculously good Baileys French toast that will make any get-together a total win.
1. Irish Bread Pudding
This Irish bread pudding is one of those decadent desserts that is worth every single calorie. Go on, treat yourself to a slice or two… you know you want to! The pudding itself is already amazing with its custard-like consistency.
But what takes it to a whole new level is the warm whiskey caramel sauce that oozes over the top. Made with sugar, cream cheese, butter, and Irish whiskey, this sauce can elevate any dessert from a 10 to a 100.
2. Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is the American twist on Ireland’s classic bacon and cabbage dish. But it has more than just those two ingredients!
This meal is loaded with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, making it both hearty and budget-friendly. It’s a slow-cooked dish, which means you can look forward to melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s absolutely packed with immense flavor.
3. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is probably the most famous Irish dish out there, and for good reason! It’s the absolute definition of Irish comfort food, with a layer of perfectly seasoned ground meat and a creamy mashed potato topping.
How could anyone possibly say no to a slice of this goodness? Each part is already amazing on its own.
The ground meat, whether it’s beef or lamb, is loaded with carrots and corn and infused with so many wonderful herbs and seasonings.
The mashed potatoes get an extra creamy kick from parmesan cheese before being baked to golden perfection. Put them together, and you have a dish that is just impossible to turn down.
4. Blarney Stones
Let’s talk about Blarney Stones! These are the perfect sweet-and-salty treat, flavored with peanut butter. We’re talking bite-sized pound cake cubes, first dipped in frosting and then rolled in a coating of crushed peanuts. YES.
If you’re not a fan of desserts that are overly sweet, this one is for you. The sweetness from the pound cake and frosting and the saltiness from the peanut butter and nuts create an absolutely perfect balance of flavors. So addicting!
5. Full Irish Breakfast
Feeling extra hungry this morning? Nothing will satisfy you more than a full Irish breakfast. It’s got bacon, sausages, fried eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, and black pudding—THE WORKS!
You get an explosion of flavors and textures that are sure to make your palate happy. If you have a busy day ahead, this meal is the perfect fuel to get you started.
6. Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is just an excellent choice for a breakfast drink, especially on those chilly winter mornings. This warming, boozy beverage has a kick of Baileys and Irish whiskey, so one sip is guaranteed to warm you right up!
It’s a super simple mix of coffee, sweetened whipped cream, and booze. Serve it with some Irish soda bread or farls, and you’ve got yourself a complete Irish breakfast.
7. Irish Soda Bread
Way back in the 19th century, Ireland experienced a potato famine known as The Great Hunger. It went on for seven long years and pushed people to get creative with other ingredients for their traditional dishes.
The Irish soda bread is a perfect example, using baking soda instead of yeast to make the bread rise. It just proves how resilient the Irish people were!
For this recipe, all you’ll need to make this amazing bread is flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. It’s that easy!
8. Champ
Champ is a lot like our beloved mashed potatoes, but it’s made even better with the addition of scallions, milk, cheese, and a ton of butter. It’s just another delicious reminder that butter makes everything better!
Adding scallions or green onions also makes these tots taste ten times better. Their sharp, peppery flavor is the perfect complement to the creamy and cheesy dish.
9. Colcannon Soup
Nothing says Irish comfort quite like a big bowl of colcannon soup. It’s essentially the traditional cabbage and potato dish transformed into a soup, and trust me, it’s awesome.
And you know what makes it even more amazing? Bacon! The smoky flavor and crispiness of the bacon are just a fabulous addition to this rich and creamy soup. It’s a total game-changer.
10. Irish Pub Cheese Spread
ALERT! ALERT! This recipe is a game-changer. It’s a mix 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 could make such 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.
11. Farls (Irish Potato Bread/Cakes)
Farls are a super popular breakfast food that are kind of like pancakes, but with a fun twist: the batter includes potatoes!
These spud-tacular little cakes are already rich and savory on their own, but they get even better because they’re pan-fried in bacon grease!
How decadent is that? You can serve farls just as they are or go all out and top them generously with parmesan cheese. Either way, it’s a seriously great way to kick off your day.
12. Bangers and Mash
You guys, let’s talk about another classic from Irish cooking: Bangers and Mash! It’s a simple team-up of sausage, which they call “bangers,” and mashed potatoes, or “mash.”
The combination is so straightforward but creates a stunning meal that is guaranteed to leave you feeling happy and satisfied. Seriously, what’s not to love?
13. Barmbrack
Barmbrack is an Irish holiday dessert that’s a delightful cross between a cake and bread. It gets its unique flavor from a mix of dried fruit, tea, and pumpkin spices.
The name “barmbrack” comes from the Irish term “bairín breac,” which means “speckled bread,” referring to the dried fruit scattered all through the loaf.
With a generous spread of butter and jam, barmbrack is a tasty breakfast that any sweet tooth will absolutely love.
14. Irish Brown Bread
The traditional Irish brown bread is crafted with stone-ground flour, which gives it a fantastic nutty flavor. Since that ingredient isn’t always easy to come by, this version uses whole wheat flour and rolled oats instead.
Besides its unique taste, what really makes Irish brown bread stand out is the cross carved on top to help it cook evenly. Beyond the science, this cross is also a traditional practice believed to ward off the devil!
15. Irish Shortbread
Dating all the way back to the 1500s, these Irish shortbread cookies are a timeless favorite for teatime. And they could not be easier to whip up! All you need is butter, sugar, and flour to create these sinfully buttery cookies.
They might be simple, but they’re definitely fit for a queen—in fact, they were said to be Queen Victoria’s favorite! The flavor is wonderful, but the texture is even better.
They’re crisp on the outside and just melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. It’s no surprise that everyone, from royals to commoners, adores them.
16. Shamrock Cookies
Your St. Patrick’s Day will not be complete without these charming shamrock cookies! Seriously, how cute are they? These are sugar cookies shaped like shamrocks and adorned with green sprinkles, so they have Ireland written all over them.
Besides the look, these Irish 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.
17. Irish Stew Pie
Can’t choose between a cozy Irish stew and a pie? Don’t worry, because this dish brings the two together into one seriously epic meal.
The Irish stew pie is exactly what its name suggests: your favorite hearty Irish stew all tucked into a flaky pie crust. Because having two comfort foods in one is always better!
The filling is a delicious mix of lamb, potatoes, carrots, and onions in a thick and creamy tomato sauce. And the crust couldn’t be any easier to handle since it’s just two pieces of puff pastry.
The result is a scrumptious, savory pie that is both taste bud-tingling and incredibly soul-satisfying.
18. Irish Oatmeal
Okay, let’s talk about the breakfast of champions, Irish-style! This 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, these contain more good things for the body. Unfortunately, that 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. YES.
19. Dublin Coddle
The Dublin coddle is another fantastic potato-based meal that turns yesterday’s leftovers into a rustic and wonderful Irish dinner for today.
It’s a one-pot wonder that combines potatoes, bacon, and sausage with pretty much whatever else you have in your fridge. It has everything you could possibly want in a meal!
Since it simmers for a long time (that’s where it gets its name) and is seasoned with spices, the coddle is just ridiculously packed with flavor. It’s homey and rustic, but totally special enough for a celebration.
20. Shamrock Shake
Ice cream, milk, and mint—it’s such a simple trio, but it creates a beverage that is just outrageously tasty. Unlike the shamrock salad, this shamrock shake is far from being nutritious.
But because it’s just so darn good, I’m pretty sure you won’t mind one bit.
21. Irish Scones
These Irish scones are just a dream. They come out so soft, fluffy, and rich with a lovely sweet flavor hiding inside. You can totally enjoy them as they are, but they become next-level fantastic with a little honey or jam.
So what makes an Irish scone different from the ones we already know and love?
These pastries are a bit cakier and sweeter than what you might be used to. They’re also wonderfully moist and crumbly all at once. In other words, they’re just plain amazing.
22. Boxty
Boxty is a traditional Irish breakfast that once again puts the humble potato in the spotlight. It’s made with finely grated potatoes, buttermilk, flour, and eggs, all pan-fried into delicious fritters.
You can think of it as the love child of a hash brown and a pancake! This breakfast mash-up is super tasty all by itself, but you can also serve it with veggies, meats, and cheese for a full meal.
23. Irish Potato Soup
Irish potato soup is a simple and rustic dish that is guaranteed to fill your belly, heart, and soul with pure joy. It’s hearty, creamy, and absolutely chock full of potatoes! Plus, it’s a total breeze to make.
With just seven ingredients (potato, stock, butter, onion, cream, salt, and pepper) and one pot, that’s really all it takes.
24. Irish Pasties
You have to try these Irish turnovers! They’re filled with a winning combination of roast beef, potatoes, and gravy.
The filling by itself is already fantastic, but when it’s sealed inside a flaky, buttery crust, it becomes something truly special. Just so, so good!
25. Shamrock Salad
You guys, let’s get some green on the table! Shamrock salad is a super healthy dish made of asparagus, snap peas, snow peas, arugula, spinach, and celery.
It gets tossed with a simple mustard vinaigrette, making it a light and refreshing appetizer that pairs perfectly with any rich and hearty entree. Plus, its undeniable green hue makes it absolutely perfect for St. Patty’s Day!