Best St. Patrick’s Day Food Ideas

St. Patrick’s Day food is all about classic Irish comfort food. Think shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, cozy Irish stew, and all the cabbage and potato recipes you can think of!

Why You’ll Love These St. Patrick’s Day Foods

St. Patrick’s Day has always been special to me, given that I have Irish genes. Growing up, my dad always loved Irish lamb stew, while the rest of my family enjoyed a dinner of shepherd’s pie and sautéed cabbage. It was always a feel-good feast of comforting, classic Irish food—with maybe a little whiskey for extra good vibes! After decades of making these recipes, here’s what you’ll love about my favorite St. Patrick’s Day foods:

• It’s all the classic Irish recipes and more. You can’t have a celebration without cottage pie or corned beef and cabbage. But there’s always room for creativity when you’re working with staple ingredients like potatoes and cabbage. I’ll share a few ideas below!
• They’re comforting but still good for you. While Irish food can be hearty and filling, it’s also loaded with veggies—just look at all of the greens stuffed into my colcannon! And you can always add more if you’d like.

Shepherd’s Pie: A classic, comforting Irish dish you can always count on is Shepherd’s Pie. Traditionally, ground lamb is used, but if you prefer ground beef, keep scrolling for my cottage pie (which is essentially Shepherd’s pie with ground beef).

Corned Beef and Cabbage: The ultimate St. Patrick’s Day recipe filled with savory corned beef, tender cabbage, and perfectly cooked potatoes and carrots. I’m using a Dutch oven, but I’ve also included Crockpot instructions in the post.

Corned Beef Hash: If you have leftover corned beef and potatoes, this hash is a must-make for breakfast the following day! Just dice them up, add some fresh ingredients, and breakfast is done all in one pan.

Cottage Pie: If you prefer using ground beef, this cottage pie is runner-up to Shepherd’s pie! The extra parmesan in the potatoes makes it extra fluffy and cheesy.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes: No matter the holiday, there’s always a designated spot for a bowl of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes.

Colcannon: Throughout Ireland, there are a few variations of colcannon. But my favorite version is loaded with fresh kale and plenty of green onions! Though, you can always swap those two for leeks, chard, chives, or other herbs you love.

Cabbage Soup: A sip of this light cabbage soup is just what you need on a cold, crisp day. Enjoy it on its own or make it a side soup to enjoy with the rest of your St. Patrick’s Day feast!

Potato Leek Soup: Nothing beats this creamy potato leek soup for a hearty, yet light addition to the table. Top it off with fresh chives and black pepper for the perfect touch.

Sauteéd Cabbage: Aside from boiling cabbage, sautéing it quickly accentuates this vegetable’s tender leaves and subtly sweet flavor. And when you cook it with garlic and onions, it really is the best (and most simple) side dish ever.

Fried Cabbage: For an extra savory flavor boost, toss in bacon bits, stone ground mustard, and a pinch of paprika to regular sauteed cabbage. Give it a taste test and you’ll see why this one has quickly become a fan favorite, even when it’s not St. Patrick’s Day.

Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes: Of course, roasted potatoes always make it onto an Irish holiday menu. It’s like your regular boiled potatoes but with far more flavor and crispy outsides.

Irish Lamb Stew: Meaty stews are definitely a thing in Irish culture, especially this lamb stew. And while there’s no Guinness or flour used in this recipe, the fresh vegetables, tender lamb, and flavorful spices work together beautifully all on their own. Healthy and delicious? Can’t beat that.

Irish Coffee: End the night with a warm mug of this boozy coffee! It’s a great winter cocktail with a touch of whiskey, sweetener, and fluffy whipped cream.

Recipe roundup originally posted March 2022, but updated to include new St. Patrick’s Day recipes and photos for your benefit!