Between hunting for four-leaf clovers and setting leprechaun traps, I like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day not with green beer, but with delicious Irish food! Hearty pub food classics, like corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie are Irish recipes I have perfected over the years and now the only challenge on March 17th is deciding what to make for one of my favorite holidays.
I love that St. Paddy’s day is not a day that’s about gifts. My kids wear green, we eat Irish food and we just have fun together. If you’re not into the pub food classics, try something a little out of the box, like Irish nachos. Any of these dishes could be mixed and matched into a full St. Patrick’s Day menu, or taken alone for a little nod to the holiday. Or, take an easy win with an Irish cream-spiked dessert! You cannot go wrong with that.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Corned beef and cabbage is a really low-effort recipe and it's almost impossible to overcook. Corned beef actually benefits from longer cooking! Serve it up with a pint of Guinness, and note that this recipe can be made on the stove top or in a slow cooker.
Shepherd’s Pie
This classic shepherd's pie is pure cozy Irish comfort food. Creamy mashed potatoes top a savory beef or lamb filling, baked to perfection for ultimate coziness. Make it ahead so on St. Patrick's Day, you can focus on the fun!
Lamb Pie
This classic shepherd’s pie is packed with hearty ground lamb and veggies, then capped with buttery mashed potatoes, flaky puff pastry, and Gruyère. It’s a feast all by itself.
Corned Beef Hash
What's a dinner of corned beef and cabbage without corned beef hash for breakfast the next day? Use your leftovers to keep the party going on March 18th, or just buy some corned beef to make this on St. Patrick's Day morning.
Irish Nachos
What makes these “Irish nachos?” Instead of tortilla chips, all the toppings are loaded onto tender potatoes! Easy, pub-style comfort food like this makes everyone happy!
Baileys Chocolate Bundt Cake
Rich and whiskey-spiked, this chocolate Baileys poke cake cooks in a bundt pan for a gorgeous dessert that’s a hit with everyone, every time. Skip the strange green cocktails. Instead, pass me another slice of this Irish-inspired cake.
Bangers and Mash with Caramelized Onions
Another traditional pub favorite, bangers and mash are simply sausages and delicious mashed potatoes. It’s an easy recipe that’s comforting and filling, and yet somehow still leaves room for an all-important pint or two!
Classic Beef Stew
If you really want to take the easy and familiar route with your Paddy’s Day menu, beef stew is perfect. Make it a few days ahead of time, and your day will be SO easy. Plus, everyone will gobble it up — no convincing necessary.
Irish Cream Liqueur
Luxuriously rich and creamy, this easy homemade Irish cream recipe is even better than Bailey’s and is perfect for gifting if you want to share the love on Paddy’s day. It’s guaranteed to warm your loved ones from the inside out.
Irish Apple Cake Donuts with Whiskey Glaze
Baked apple cake donuts with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb are drizzled with a whiskey glaze for an autumnal treat that’s the best kind of over-the-top. A fun project to do with the whole family, if you’d like to spend the day cooking together.
