I am decidedly not Irish–not even a chromosome. I’m hardly lucky. And the best I can do is nurse a pint of Guinness.
But I do share a few things with my Irish brethren: I love the color green, I can’t get enough of potatoes, and I believe corned beef can bring about world peace.
So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes that pay tribute to the Emerald Isle’s rich culinary heritage. From traditional soda bread to boozy Irish coffee, these dishes are sure to put a lilt in your voice and a smile on your face.
So grab your leprechaun apron, and let’s get cooking!
xo,
Black Velvet Cocktail
The Black Velvet cocktail contains the word “velvet” in its title for a reason. The effervescent mingling of stout and Champagne is uncommonly smooth and subtly sophisticated. Go on. Take a sip and see for yourself.
Absolutely fantastic. I love this cocktail and will definitely enjoy it assembled in this dramatically-looking version.
jenny
Irish Soda Bread with Walnuts
This Irish soda bread is very close to traditional with the exception of using pantry-friendly yogurt instead of buttermilk. It also includes whole-wheat flour and walnuts and has incredible flavor, keeps well, and goes with everything from soup to jam. Here’s how to make it.
This Irish soda bread is so good. It’s the easiest bread I’ve ever made, great toasted for breakfast, great with Hungarian cauliflower soup, and just a wonderful introduction to whole wheat breads. I mixed it by hand. I’ve been watching Paul on “The Great British Baking Show,” and he says it gives you a feel for the dough and reduces the chance of overmixing.
Another winner from Leite’s Culinaria—whatever did I do without this website? I feel like a kid at Xmas when I visit the site and see what goodies you all have found. Every day, and from soup to dessert, there is something that makes my mouth water.
marilyn s.
Homemade Corned Beef
Homemade corned beef is crazy easy to make. It’s essentially brisket that’s given a makeover by letting it linger in an easy brine with spices and then slowly braised until falling-apart tender. Here’s how to make it (including a slow-cooker variation above).
This corned beef was so delicious!! After the six days of brine, I soaked the brisket in clean water for 3 hours to remove some of the salt, changing water every hour, then I cooked on the stove for 4 hours (5-pound brisket). I added potatoes, carrots, and cabbage for the last 45 minutes. SAVE the broth–it makes the best pho (Actually, that might have been my family’s favorite part.)
jeneen
Twice-Baked Potatoes with Corned Beef
These twice-baked potatoes with corned beef are potato jackets stuffed with fluffy mashed potatoes, Cheddar cheese, and corned beef. Perfect for dinner on its own or as a side.
Beef and Guinness Pie
This beef and Guinness pie is essentially traditional Irish beef stew filled with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, beef broth, and herbs, all topped with some lovely and simple store-bought puff pastry. Simple, delicious, and marvelously hearty.
This pie was so incredibly tasty, I can’t recommend it enough. Plus, there’s Guinness to drink when you’re cooking. Honestly, very hearty and relatively easy to cook.
jack h.
Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
This hearty Irish-inspired beef stew is loaded with tender beef, vegetables, stout beer and is conveniently made in the slow cooker. Make it for St. Patrick’s day or to warm up with a bowl of cold weather comfort food.
This Irish beef stew recipe was amazing! It tasted just like what I’ve had in English pubs, and everyone in the family loved it!
Nat
Corned Beef Hash
This corned beef hash, made of potatoes, onion, butter, and corned beef, turns St. Patrick’s Day leftovers into homemade lusciousness any time of day. Even if you’re not Irish. Just look at me!
Made corn beef hash tonight. It was fabulous! We added the fried egg, and it enhanced the overall flavor of the dish!
elda g.
Pan Boxty ~ Irish Potato Pancake
This pan boxty is essentially an Irish potato pancake. Just a few ingredients–grated potatoes, a little flour, and butter–constitute this classic Irish dish. Lovers of colcannon, rösti, latkes, and hash browns will find comfort here.
Guinness Ice Cream Float
This Guinness and ice cream float, made with stout and vanilla ice cream is kind of like a root beer float for adults.
This Irish float is another winner! The more the vanilla ice cream and the Guinness beer would blend together, the more we felt a slight coffee taste, so much so we thought about trying it again by actually adding a shot of expresso with it.
sofia
Chocolate Stout Cake
This recipe gives everything one could possibly want in a chocolate cake and more, and yet the star ingredient isn’t just chocolate; it’s also stout beer. Yes, perhaps an odd ingredient for a dessert, but hear me out: the stout adds an earthy undertone that enhances the flavor of the chocolate more than anything else and adds a bit of flair.
FAQs
The most popular St. Patrick’s Day dishes include corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, colcannon, stew or shepherd’s pie, and plenty of Guinness or Irish whiskey. In Ireland, it’s also very common to serve lamb.
In Ireland, corned beef is typically made with lean brisket, while American-style corned beef uses a fattier cut. The flavoring of the corned beef brine also contains different spices, giving each a unique flavor.
Although we often think of it as an Irish dish, the history of corned beef and cabbage is Irish-American. It became popular among immigrants due to the lower cost of cured beef and abundant cabbage, and over time became associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Let us know in a comment below.
