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Over 31 million Americans claim some Irish ancestry, and while St. Patrick’s Day is a celebrated holiday in Ireland, it’s actually celebrated on a larger scale in the U.S. The day celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who lived and died in the 5th century. The holiday has an inclusive feel about it, a sense that you don’t need to be Irish to celebrate. In fact, the holiday has been embraced as a moment to be heritage-proud, and there is a popular saying “everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patty’s Day.”

And of course, when there is a cultural/national holiday, there are always the foods that go with it. Right now, in the supermarkets, you can find many of the Irish staple foods, such as cabbages, potatoes, and corned beef, piled high and often on sale. I’m not Irish but I know a good holiday — and a great food holiday — when I see it. Here is a smattering of delicious recipes geared toward St. Patrick’s Day, or any time you have a yearning for any one of these Irish classics. 

Corned beef and cabbage on serving platter

Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

These are but a few of the greatest hits — Irish Soda Bread is so easy to pull together, no yeast, no kneading, these flaky scones would be perfect for breakfast or maybe a little tea break later in the day, and you can’t go wrong with Shepherd’s Pie or Corned Beef and Cabbage for dinner (especially this version, which is made in a slow cooker). And speaking of cabbage, that’s kind of a non-negotiable St. Patrick’s Day offering, but you have many choices of how to prepare this versatile, inexpensive, hardy, and downright delicious vegetable.

Can’t decide? Me neither. So I may have to work my way through the list over the next week.


16 Easy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

Slices of Irish Soda Bread on a wooden board.

Irish Soda Bread

Traditional Irish soda bread is a yeast free quick bread, and it's hard to imagine a St. Patrick's Day spread without it. This recipe has body, richness, and just a touch of sweetness.

Irish Scones with Smoked Salmon

Flaky pastries layered with good butter and excellent salmon — breakfast, snack, teatime…yes please.

Roasted Cabbage Wedges on a baking sheet.

Roasted Cabbage Wedges

In a hot oven with just a handful of seasonings, a simple wedge of cabbage turns into something magical.

Shepherd’s Pie / Carrie Crow / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Shepherd’s Pie

A savory ground lamb and vegetable filling topped with cheesy mashed potatoes is the ultimate Irish comfort food.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

This traditional Irish meal is perfectly suited to be cooked in the slow cooker — the vegetables come out flawlessly as well!

Beer-Braised Cabbage in Dutch Oven

Simple Beer-Braised Cabbage

The humble cabbage, made extra delicious with beer and bacon.

Mound of Colcannon topped with melted butter on a white plate.

Colcannon

Fluffy, creamy potatoes mashed with sautéed cabbage and kale create a classic Irish dish that's perfect for St. Patty's Day!

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes / Sarah Crowder / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

A comfort food gets even more comforting.

Spicy Braised Radicchio and Red Cabbage with Citrus / Katie Workman / themom100.com / Photo by Mia

Braised Red Cabbage

A gorgeous addition to any holiday table, braised red cabbage gets a great flavor boost from citrus.

Molasses Cornbread / Carrie Crow / Katie Workman / themom100.com

Molasses Cornbread

Earthy and slightly sweet.

Lamb Stew with White Wine, Orange and Fennel

Lamb Stew with White Wine, Orange, and Fennel

The perfect intersection between comfort food and something special.


Slow Cooker Fall-Apart Braised Pork with Cabbage and Apples

Slow Cooker Fall-Apart Braised Pork with Cabbage and Apples

This is delicious and it’s cheap, and that’s just the facts.

Simple Beef Stew

Simple Beef Stew

A big pot of stew in the fridge is like having the most delicious secret in the world. 

Piece of Gingerbread Cake topped with whipped cream on a plate.

Gingerbread Cake

Moist and filled with warm spices like ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. This gingerbread cake is perfect for the holidays.

Cottage Pie in a blue-green bowl.

Cottage Pie

A thick layer of mashed potatoes blankets a rich filling of ground beef and vegetables in a savory sauce.

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