Home » Recipes » Recipe Collections » 16 Best St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

16 Best St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

ByLana Stuart Published: Last Updated:
3 Comments

My Best St. Patrick’s Day recipes for your celebration. Choose from my list including everything from Irish Stew to Boxty to Mr. Guinness’ Cake for dessert.

A collage of photos from recipes included in the post.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox.

Save Recipe

It’s almost time for the “wearin’ o’ the green.” The one day every year that people of Irish heritage set aside to honor Ireland’s foremost patron saint, St. Patrick.

March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Irish)  is a cultural and religious celebration of the traditional date of death of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461). The day commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.

Celebrations include parades and festivals, céilithe (traditional Irish music), and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Speaking of which, have you ever wondered why shamrocks are associated with the Irish? It’s because St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.

Serve an Authentic Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day

With our modern St. Patrick’s Day observances, the one dish that seems to be synonymous with Paddy’s Day and all things Irish in the U.S., is corned beef and cabbage. However, that’s a dish that is rarely eaten in Ireland.

In Irish Country Cooking, chef Malachi McCormick says that he likes corned beef, “But our national dish? No, it’s a New World dish!” It’s just not eaten in Ireland, and it’s certainly not washed down with cups full of green beer.

I’m sorry, but dancing leprechauns and dyed green food as a celebration of Irish culture just really set me off. It’s why every year for St. Patrick’s, I make it a point to cook something traditionally and authentically Irish.

So, if you’re ready to explore something truly Irish for your St. Patrick’s observation, try one of the recipes I’ve linked below.

My Best St. Patrick’s Day Recipes!

1. Brown Irish Soda Bread

Brown Irish Soda Bread - An authentic recipe for traditional brown Irish soda bread. So nice for your St. Patrick's Day menu. https://www.lanascooking.com/brown-irish-soda-bread/
Brown Irish Soda Bread
Soda bread is the traditional bread of Ireland and is still made daily in homes throughout the country.
Get This Recipe
Brown Irish Soda Bread - An authentic recipe for traditional brown Irish soda bread. So nice for your St. Patrick's Day menu. https://www.lanascooking.com/brown-irish-soda-bread/

2. Traditional Irish Boxty (Potato Pancakes)

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake. Serve them up hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions. https://www.lanascooking.com/boxty
Boxty
Boxty – a traditional Irish potato pancake. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions.
Get This Recipe
Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake. Serve them up hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions. https://www.lanascooking.com/boxty

3. Traditional Irish Champ

Traditional Irish Champ in a serving bowl with a well of melted butter in the center.
Traditional Irish Champ
Indulge in a classic Irish favorite with this simple Traditional Irish Champ recipe. This combination of mashed potatoes, scallions, milk, and melted butter makes a nearly perfect comfort food.
Get This Recipe
Traditional Irish Champ in a serving bowl with a well of melted butter in the center.

4. Oven Roasted Leeks

Roasted leeks in a baking dish.
Oven Roasted Leeks
Oven Roasted Leeks are an easy, flavorful side dish. Their earthy flavor pairs easily with everything from chicken to lamb to beef.
Get This Recipe
Roasted leeks in a baking dish.

5. Leek and Potato Soup

Leek and potato soup in a serving bowl.
Leek and Potato Soup
A traditional Leek and Potato Soup for St. Patrick's Day. Serve it hot in winter or cold in summer. Fantastic flavor!
Get This Recipe
A traditional Leek and Potato soup for St. Patrick's Day. Serve it hot in winter or cold in summer. Fantastic flavor! https://www.lanascooking.com/leek-and-potato-soup/

6. Irish Fish Pie

A spoon holding a serving of fish pie.
Irish Fish Pie
Everyone from the youngest to the oldest will enjoy Irish Fish Pie. It's a one-dish dinner filled with chunks of fish and veggies in a creamy sauce topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. 
Get This Recipe
A spoon holding a serving of fish pie.

7. Classic Irish Stew

A serving of Irish stew in a white bowl.
Classic Irish Stew
Enjoy this Classic Irish Stew for St. Patrick's Day or any time!
Get This Recipe
A serving of Irish stew in a white bowl.

8. Dublin Coddle

Dublin Coddle - a stew of onions, potatoes, sausages, and bacon - for St. Patrick's Day. https://www.lanascooking.com/dublin-coddle
Dublin Coddle
Traditional Irish recipe for Dublin Coddle, a delicious combination of onions, potatoes, bacon, and sausages
Get This Recipe
Dublin Coddle - a stew of onions, potatoes, sausages, and bacon - for St. Patrick's Day. https://www.lanascooking.com/dublin-coddle

9. Traditional Irish Spiced Fruitcake

Irish spiced fruitcake on a cutting board.
Traditional Irish Spiced Fruitcake
You’ll love this Traditional Irish Spiced Fruitcake recipe filled with raisins, currants, and cherries and spiced with ginger and allspice.
Get This Recipe
Irish spiced fruitcake on a cutting board.

10. Traditional Irish Barmbrack

A loaf of Irish barmbrack on a wooden cutting board.
Traditional Irish Barmbrack
Traditional Irish Barmbrack (or Tea Brack) is the perfect sweet ending for your St. Patrick's Day feast!
Get This Recipe
A loaf of Irish barmbrack on a wooden cutting board.

11. Mr. Guinness’ Cake

Finished Mr. Guinness' Cake on a white serving platter.
Mr. Guinness’ Cake
Mr. Guinness' Cake is an Irish fruitcake recipe with candied fruit, raisins, and nuts. Douse the finished cake with Guinness, and age for a week before serving.
Get This Recipe
Finished Mr. Guinness' Cake on a white serving platter.

12. Irish Currant Scones

Two scones on a white plate.
Irish Currant Scones
Enjoy traditional Irish currant scones with jam and whipped cream for breakfast, snacks, or dessert with a cup of tea or coffee.
Get This Recipe
Two scones on a white plate.

13. Traditional Irish Fruit Scones

A traditional recipe for Irish Fruit Scones. Very similar to American buttermilk biscuits with the addition of dried fruit, sugar, and an egg. https://www.lanascooking.com/fruit-scones/
Traditional Irish Fruit Scones
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a Traditional Irish Fruit Scones recipe! These tender scones pair perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.
Get This Recipe
A scone with butter and jam on a decorative plate.

14. Beef and Stout Pie

A rich, savory Beef and Stout pie with mushrooms and onions. Wonderfully comforting traditional Irish food. https://www.lanascooking.com/beef-and-stout-pie/
Beef and Stout Pie
A rich, savory Beef and Stout Pie with mushrooms and onions. Wonderfully comforting traditional Irish food.
Get This Recipe
A rich, savory Beef and Stout pie with mushrooms and onions. Wonderfully comforting traditional Irish food. https://www.lanascooking.com/beef-and-stout-pie/

15. Chicken, Leek, and Mushroom Pie

Chicken, Leek, and Mushroom Pie - a lovely, savory pie with a chicken, leek, mushroom and potato filling. A crispy phyllo topping makes the dish lighter. https://www.lanascooking.com/chicken-leek-mushroom-pie
Chicken, Leek, and Mushroom Pie
Enjoy a taste of authentic Irish comfort food. This Chicken, Leek, and Mushroom Pie is easy to make with buttery, light phyllo dough!
Get This Recipe
A serving of the finished pie on a white plate with fresh sage on the side.

16. Shepherd’s Pie

Classic Shepherd's Pie, or Cottage Pie, with ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese. https://www.lanascooking.com/shepherds-pie/
Shepherd’s Pie
Classic Shepherd’s, or Cottage, Pie with ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese.
Get This Recipe
Classic Shepherd's Pie, or Cottage Pie, with ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese. https://www.lanascooking.com/shepherds-pie/

Here’s wishing you a wonderful Paddy’s Day and, as the Irish say…

May those who love us, love us
And those who don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts
And if he can’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!

A collage of photos from recipes included in the post.

More Recipe Collections

Lana Stuart is the cook, writer, and founder of Lana’s Cooking. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
More About Lana →

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

3 Comments

  1. I love this post! And those mashed potatoes look seriouslyyy amazinggg!!

    Reply
    1. Lana Stuart says:

      They really are, Sues! Trust the Irish to make the BEST potatoes!!

      Reply

  2. Thank you! I’m slow-cooking corned beef but was planning to skip the trimmings and go right to the sandwiches. Your “Champ” potatoes inspired me to do this right.

    Reply