40 Best St. Patrick's Day Foods for Celebrating in 2024
Make your day a little luckier with these Irish dishes!
We're counting down the days to St Patrick's Day! Whether you have family in (or from) the Emerald Isles or not, everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's Day, and there are plenty of fun traditions and ways to celebrate.
Come March 17, you can wear something green, pour your favorite Irish whiskey (or Irish cream), and put on a good Irish movie. But you haven't really celebrated until you've sat down to a hearty Irish meal of St. Patrick's Day food.
Perhaps you want a bowl of Guinness stew. Or maybe you'd like something more traditional, such as colcannon, corned beef, or the like. Whatever you make, you can be sure it'll be hearty and warming. Irish cuisine is the perfect food for a blustery spring day—maybe that's why the holiday is so popular!
Whether you’re cooking for your family or feeding a crowd, these recipes will send you straight to the Emerald Isles. (Don’t forget to make one of these Boozy St. Patrick’s Day Desserts to cap things off.)
Slow Cooker Corned Beef
This classic one-pot dinner is delicious any time of year, but it's most popular on St. Patrick's Day. The easiest (and tastiest) way to make it is with your slow cooker, where the low-and-slow heat transform every ingredient into a supremely tender morsel.
Green Beer
While there are honestly many delicious Irish beers, it's traditional to drink at least one green one. Luckily all you need is a light-colored beer (not stout) and some food coloring. We've got the correct proportions down so you can make your favorite brand a little more Irish.
Butter-Braised Cabbage with Cream and Garlic
Cabbage is a staple St. Patrick's Day food, and this braised cream version is one that we'd be happy to eat any time, anywhere!
Smashed Potatoes
Potatoes. Potatoes every possible way. 🥔
Baked Cabbage and Potato Buns
When you think of Irish cuisine, two prime ingredient may come to mind: cabbage and potatoes. Bake them, together, into these gorgeous buns and enjoy a hearty appetizer!
Classic Beef Wellington
"Wait" you might say. "Isn't Beef Wellington British?"
It is. But the dish's namesake, the Duke of Wellington, was born in Dublin. And that's good enough for us!
Clover Whiskey Sour
Wood sorrel — which looks similar to clover, but with heart-shaped leaves — is both abundant and edible! (Clover is edible too, but sorrel tastes better.) Forage a little from your back yard and use it to make this delicious St. Paddy's Day drink.
Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Soup
Looking for a simpler way to celebrate? Or want a good soup for an appetizer? This hearty, warming soup is easy and delicious!
Roasted Parsnip Soup
Parsnips are native to Ireland, where they're a big part of the cuisine. We love them roasted and blended into this flavorful soup.
Potato and Parsnip Pancakes
Another great way to use parnips is in potato pancakes! You can sub out the matzo meal in this recipe for leftover mashed potatoes, and you'll basically have Irish Boxty.
Beer-Battered Seafood
Make classic fish and chips! It's a fun way to celebrate, and a national dish of Northern Ireland.
Fondue
Use Guinness in lieu of the cider in this recipe for a Beer Cheese fondue that can't be beat!
Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Fire-Roasted Bread
Green spinach is seasonally appropriate, but more importantly, this dip is delicious!
Get the recipe for Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Fire-Roasted Bread.
Guinness Beef Stew
Corned beef is okay, but we honestly would rather turn that roast into this hearty stew. Don't sleep on the stout though—it adds a ton of flavor.
Irish Soda Bread
Pair that stew with this traditional quick-bread. It's hearty, easy to make, and perfect for sopping up bits of sauce.
Flat White Martini
A combo of Bailey's, espresso, and vodka, this stiff pick-me-up is just the thing after a heavy meal. Sláinte!
Irish Coffee
Of course if you want the original Irish after dinner pick-me-up, there's nothing like an Irish coffee, made with fresh, homemade coffee and your favorite Irish whiskey.
Shamrock Soda Bread
A heart-shaped cookie cutter helps turn traditional Irish quick bread into a fun shamrock shape.
Shepherd's Pies with Lamb
Also called cottage pie (and pióg an aoire in Irish), this delicious country dish has been a staple in Ireland for generations.
Crispy Rosemary Potato Cakes
Turn mashed potatoes into a mouthwatering appetizer!
Watch Next
You’ll Love These Sweet St. Patrick’s Day Desserts
8 Interesting and Classic Irish Whiskeys
Happy St. Patrick's Day Quotes and Messages
Silly St. Paddy's Day Jokes to Crack Your Kids Up
