You had me at potatoes and savory comfort, but then you said Irish side dishes? I’m already planning my next feast! Lucky for you (and me!), these 19 traditional recipes are about to take your meal to a whole new level of delicious.
1. Irish Oatmeal Bread
Baking a loaf from scratch often feels daunting, yet this specific recipe is much simpler than most. It is visually stunning, boasting a beautiful hue and a mesmerizing swirl right in the middle.
Beyond the aesthetics, the flavor is top-notch. You also get a nice boost of protein and fiber with every slice.
2. Irish Stacked Potato Bites
Imagine tiny towers of pure joy consisting of spuds layered upon spuds, then crowned with cheese and finished with—you guessed it—more spuds.
The ingredient list includes heavy cream, garlic, butter, and seasonings, but let’s be real: the quadruple dose of taters is the selling point. If you need even more convincing, try garnishing them with fresh scallions or chives.
3. Irish Cheddar and Bacon Soda Bread
Recall the crusty, soft loaf we discussed previously?
Now imagine that same base loaded with savory cheddar, salty bacon, and green onions. It creates a treat that is practically impossible to put down once you start nibbling.
4. Irish Brown Bread
Think of this as the moodier relative to traditional soda bread, enriched with molasses and a half cup of rolled oats.
The texture remains delightfully crumbly and dense. However, the molasses provides a subtle, underlying sweetness that sets it apart.
5. Irish Pasties
Is there anything superior to a buttery, flaky pastry shell filled with soft potatoes and seasoned roast beef?
Actually, yes. Take those savory hand pies and drench them in a rich, homemade beef gravy for the ultimate comfort food experience.
6. Irish Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Here is proof that adding enough cured pork makes absolutely anything delicious.
You can whip this up in under half an hour. Even if greens usually aren’t your thing, the mix of savory meat and brown sugar will convert you instantly.
7. Shamrock Salad
Gather up every green vegetable you can get your hands on for this vibrant dish. Sauté them until they soften slightly while retaining a nice crunch.
Toss everything in a DIY four ingredient vinaigrette. While slightly more involved than basic sautéed cabbage, it is still incredibly straightforward.
8. Irish Mushroom and Potato Soup
This lush chowder is incredibly thick, bordering on the consistency of a hearty dip.
While it is definitely a soup, it tastes phenomenal when you dunk a piece of crusty artisan loaf into it. Packed with carrots, leeks, celery, and fungi, it offers a surprisingly nutritious punch.
9. Baked Cabbage with Bacon
You are only 10 minutes of effort and seven ingredients away from the greatest leafy green side ever.
Roasting the wedges brings out way more depth than boiling ever could. Garnish with pepper, salt, parsley, garlic, and crispy pork bits for a show stopping plate.
10. Irish Style Coleslaw
While this resembles the American version, the Emerald Isle take is sweeter, richer, and significantly tastier. Omitting the vinegar in favor of heavy whipping cream and Greek yogurt elevates this crunchy salad to a whole new level.
11. Irish-Style Roasted Potatoes
When it comes to spuds, the Irish go all in. Authentic roasting means cooking the tubers whole, skipping the tedious dicing and slicing entirely.
You end up with gorgeous, bronzed potatoes featuring wonderfully snappy skins and a touch of pepper. Feel free to add garlic or herbs, though they are perfectly fine without.
12. Sauteed Cabbage
While this might not be the flashiest item on the menu, it wins the award for sheer convenience.
You only need butter, water, pepper, salt, and the greens themselves to have this ready in ten minutes. It rarely gets simpler than that when planning dinner.
13. Shamrock Crackers
These are essentially spinach tortillas stamped out with cookie cutters, salted, and baked, yet they make the ultimate St. Paddy’s Day snack. They are undeniably cute, sporting a festive green hue and leaf shape.
If these little chips don’t bring a grin to your face, I don’t know what will. Plus, they have a great crunch and pair perfectly with salsa.
14. Champ
I cannot tell you exactly how this mashed potato dish got its name, though I assume it’s because it makes you look like a winner in the kitchen. Regardless of the etymology, this bowl is delicious enough to outshine the main protein.
It consists of buttery, creamy spuds loaded with scallions, yet the flavor is mind blowing. The green onions truly elevate the whole experience.
15. Irish Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Prepare for a gooey, cheesy, absolutely delightful disaster on a plate. Toss in some fresh parsley, seasonings, herbs, and onions, and you create a casserole your guests will battle over.
16. Waterford Blaas
These traditional rolls are a staple you do not want to overlook.
They are wonderfully floury and as soft as a pillow. While they pair well with almost any meal, they shine brightest when slathered in good butter.
17. Rumbledethumps (Potato, Cabbage and Cheese Gratin)
This dish sits at the intersection of scalloped and mashed potatoes.
While usually a side, it is beloved enough that many families eat it as a standalone casserole. Packed with cabbage, chives, cheese, and spuds, it is certainly hearty enough to fill you up.
18. Colcannon Puffs
Tender and warm in the middle with a crunchy exterior, these bites are loaded with garlic and kale.
Count me in! They do require some time to prepare, so I suggest making a double batch since sharing will be difficult.
19. Irish Soda Bread
Create a dense, flavorful loaf with a crunchy crust without needing any yeast. Even with that sturdy exterior, the crumb remains incredibly soft. It is a wonderful texture contrast.
You can toss in a cup of raisins if you like, but the bread is truly spectacular without them.