There’s nothing like an traditional Irish recipe to bring delicious, comforting dish to the dining table. Whether celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with an authentic Irish recipe or making classic recipes everyday, this collection of Irish cooking is a great way to have a taste of the Emerald Isle.
Traditional Irish food is honest, simple and often rustic. The type of soul-warming food that is at the heart of the most satisfying comfort food.
The food is easy to prepare, never fussy and doesn’t demand slaving over the stove.
Irish recipes will give you the inspiration you need to create a delicious holiday meal for your family this year! Plus more Irish information on the holiday and food.
Just in time for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Irish recipes abound on the internet! These 10 authentic Irish recipes will give you the inspiration you need to create a delicious holiday meal for your family this year!
We’ve thrown in a couple American ‘Irish’ favorites for the holiday too. Plus more Irish information on the holiday and food.
Jump to:
- St. Patrick’s Day festivities
- Traditional Irish Recipes
- Savory Cottage Pie
- Irish Potato Soup
- Irish Soda Bread
- Authentic Irish Coffee
- Irish Potato Champ
- Authentic Irish Colcannon
- Dublin Coddle
- More Authentic Irish Recipes
- Black Forest Gataeu
- Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Mini Beef Pot Pies with an Irish Twist
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches I love digging through Irish family recipes and those collected while traveling in Ireland for some authentic inspiration.
Ironically many of the foods we are familiar with in the U.S., such as Corned Beef and Cabbage or green beer, is something adapted in the U.S. and isn’t typically eaten for St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
My friends in Ireland would rather linger over a pint of Guinness, laughing with friends and family at a pub, than over hours of meal preparation anyway!
I’ve pulled together a collection of real Irish recipes for you to consider both for St. Patrick’s Day as well as for everyday meals.
Some are from Boulder Locavore and come with anecdotes of my experiences of Ireland. Others I’ve gathered from authentic Irish sources I think you’ll love!
I think you’ll enjoy reading if, like me, you enjoy a bit of background on true holiday roots and customs.
St. Patrick’s Day festivities
Aiofe Cox, of the Dublin-based website The Daily Spud kindly wrote a Guest Post for Boulder Locavore about how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Ireland. Since the original post I believe some of the U.S. based shenanigan’s have worked their way over to Ireland’s traditionally more religious celebrations.
Traditional Irish Recipes
Starting with a full Irish breakfast, Irish scones, Guinness beef stew to black pudding, it’s hard to know where to start with wonderful Irish recipes.
Savory Cottage Pie
Ground beef, peas, carrots, onions cooked with savory seasonings topped with mashed potatoes and cheese.
Cooked in casserole form it’s great for a crowd.
A dear friend in the UK always rakes the fork over the mashed potatoes on top to look like a thatched roof of a cottage!
Irish Potato Soup
Just what you’d hope it to be; potatoes, onions, stock and milk creating a thick satisfying soup from only a handful of ingredients!
Irish Soda Bread
This recipe was given to me on a trip to Ireland many years ago. It’s easy rustic bread and can be made with regular or gluten-free flour.
Modifications are included to make Brown Soda Bread (Wheaten bread) and Spotted Dick too.
Authentic Irish Coffee
A definite ‘must’ when in Ireland.
It is sure to take the edge of any cold, damp weather with coffee, Irish Whiskey and a cream float on top.
Irish Potato Champ
Potatoes, butter, scallions, milk. You’ll never guess the holiday when Champ is usually served!
Authentic Irish Colcannon
Another fantastic spud recipe this time with curly kale along with mashed potatoes and scallions. Simple ingredients, irresistible recipe.
Dublin Coddle
A warming dish of bacon, sausage, onions and potatoes. I served it with Traditional Soda Bread!
More Authentic Irish Recipes
Boxty from Irish Central
Boxty is a traditional potato pancake made with a combination of mashed and grated potato for a lovely texture.
Irish Stew
No list would be complete without a recipe, or two in this case, for Irish Stew.
Donal Skehan is a well-known Irish cookbook author and TV personae. He periodically makes appearances on the Today Show and you may have seen him there.
His website is full of Irish recipes and gorgeous photography. His recipe of Angie’s Skehan Family Irish Stew looks fantastic.
Barmbrack (Irish Tea Cake)
For another delicious bread recipe try this Barmbrack. It’s a classic!
Black Forest Gataeu
If you are interested in Irish food, there is no more authentic cookbook than Irish Country Cooking from the Irishwomen’s Association. I did a cookbook review when it first came out and was instantly in love with the contributor’s short bio’s and of course the authentic recipes. It’s really a treasure. Don’t miss this Black Forest Gateau recipe as an example of traditional Irish desserts!
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Despite the earlier caveat about Corned Beef and Cabbage NOT being authentic St. Patrick’s Day food, I’ll insert my Slow Cooker Beer-Simmered Corned Beef and Vegetables recipe for those who want to make it!
I have Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket too (made with Guinness).
Mini Beef Pot Pies with an Irish Twist
Don’t forget to wear your lucky St. Patrick’s Day shirt!
Need some gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day recipe ideas? Gottcha covered. Also for non-traditional but still completely delicious food and drink recipes this St. Patrick’s Day recipe collection will be something you’ll want to see.
Casey says
SOO many options! I think we’ll do the cottage pie this year….or the Irish Stew…or both!!
Anjali says
These recipes all look so good I can’t figure out which one to try first! It might have to be that traditional Irish potato soup – it looks so creamy and satisfying and great for the cold weather we’ve been having!
Angela says
You cannot go wrong with corned beef & colcannon. This Irish family enjoys it several times a year – so good!
Dana Sandonato says
This is such a fantastic round-up. We love cooking up a feast for St. Patrick’s Day so this is going to be a great resource.
Andrea says
Wow! This is a fantastic list. I’ve heard of some of these but not others. I’m excited to try the potato soup and the Dublin Coddle.
Olha says
The foods look so much dellicious, and they can be cooked on any day not just St. Patrick’s one, right? i want to make Irish potato soup today. Thank you for sharing the recipes, I never tried Irish cuisine 🙂
mary says
I usually head to my moms for St. Patricks Day. She makes the best corned beef and cabbage. Yum! But this year, I’m cooking. So these come in handy