From corned beef, soda bread and potatoes to parties and beer, there’s a lot to love about St. Patrick’s Day each March.
Whether or not you have Irish heritage, this day can be a great opportunity to learn more about this Irish tradition that celebrates the life and legacy of St. Patrick. While it primarily began as a religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has grown to include people of other backgrounds in recognizing culture and history.
Often the day is filled with parades, parties and a lot of good food. A river in Chicago is even dyed the color green in honor of the holiday. People enjoy gathering with family and friends and eating some great food.
Irish or not, St. Paddy’s Day can provide you the opportunity to learn more about culture, explore new traditions and try out some flavorful, rich recipes.
Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Dishes
Like many other holidays, St. Patrick’s Day features some special recipes that are characteristic of the season. Here are a few dishes you’ll probably find at a traditional St. Patrick’s Day gathering.
- Corned Beef and Cabbage - A traditional and most commonly enjoyed meal made with tender corned beef and simmered cabbage. You can also throw other veggies like carrots or potatoes in. Top it off with mustard or flavorful horseradish to make it complete.
- Irish Stew - A rich, hearty bowl of lamb, potatoes, leeks, carrots and onions.
- Irish Soda Bread - A St. Patrick’s day staple that can be enjoyed from breakfast till lunch.
- Dublin Coddle - Meat and potatoes work well together in this layered dish that’s easy to whip up.
- Irish Guinness Rarebit - A particularly Irish take on rarebit, which is a fancy way of saying cheese on toast. This also incorporates the traditional Irish beer with cheddar cheese, egg, Worcestershire sauce and mustard.
- Irish Breakfast - People often start the day of festivities with a hearty breakfast. To be considered an “Irish” breakfast, your plate will include bacon, sausage, potato bread and eggs.
- Drinks - Of course, beer, Guinness specifically, is the drink most commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day. It’s even considered Ireland’s national drink. However, there are also other options such as Mead or Irish Whiskey that can also really get the party started.
While the way in which St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated has changed over the years, traditional dishes like these enjoyed with people you love can be a delightful way to appreciate the Irish culture.
Get Cooking with These Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Are you ready to get cooking with an Irish flair? Whether you’re prepping for a St. Patrick’s Day get-together or are just interested in exploring new ideas, we’ve got recipes for you. While some may be adaptations of traditional St. Patrick’s Day recipes, you can also make them your own and mix it up from the expected. Here we share some great recipes that will have you feeling lucky as you enjoy each bite.
Corned Beef Hash
What happens when you bring together roasted potatoes and simmered corned beef? A delightful Irish bite that’s great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This hash recipe includes patties of chopped corned beef and potatoes that are served with a seasoned poached egg.
Meat Stew
Let the flavors in this stew simmer and blend together. Choose your meat -- this recipe uses venison -- and amplify the flavor with garlic, onion, potatoes and carrots. The splash of Black Sheep Gastronomy Worcestershire Sauce brings a bright pop of flavor that blends in well with the other stew components.
Baked Potato Salad
Swap out your store-bought potato salad for a homemade version that’s even more flavorful. Top it off with bacon cheese and a drizzle of Fustini’s Butter olive oil for a new take on potato.
Crispy Cheddar Pork Chops
Did you know that pork is one of the most common types of meat? Enjoy a cheesy take on pork chops, seasoned with Fustini’s Tuscan Spice. Pair with Brussels sprouts and quartered potatoes for a well-balanced Irish-themed dinner.
Crispy Mashed Potato Cakes
Take smooth mashed potatoes and transform them into crispy cakes. This recipe also brings in other ingredients like turkey and stuffing to create a fun and versatile dish.
Wish Each Other Well This St. Paddy’s Day with Great Food
No matter the size of your St. Patrick’s day gathering this year, you can send well wishes and enjoy celebrating with some great food. Whether you stick to the traditional menus or are interested in exploring new flavors and dishes and put an Irish twist on them, you can whip up a tasty spread for your gathering. Grow in appreciation and learn something new about this key Irish holiday by enjoying some St. Paddy’s Day food.