Deck yourself out in green and celebrate everything Irish with our absolute favorite recipes for St. Patrick's Day dinner, dessert, and drinks.
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A classic St. Patrick's Day feast often involves corned beef and cabbage—and maybe a swig or two of beer—but there are many other delicious recipes that can be eaten on March 17. Whether your family has been observing the holiday for generations or you just love an excuse to entertain friends, a St. Patrick's Day celebration is always a good idea, and every good party needs equally good food. This collection of recipes includes a wide array of favorites to make for your St. Patrick's Day festivities, plus a few more unexpected options, like the Stout Shandy you see right here.
If you're looking for a meal that really feels Irish, don't assume you should go with corned beef. It's actually the least popular choice for a St. Patrick's Day meal in Ireland. Those celebrating the holiday across the Atlantic are more likely to eat lamb or a beef stew than corned beef. According to Smithsonian Magazine, pork and bacon were far more popular (and less expensive) in Ireland until the late 18th century, when English farmers flooded the country with cattle and a newfound taste for beef. Beef then went on to become a staple of St. Patrick's Day recipes stateside.
Whether you choose to focus on a hearty main or serve a selection of appetizers, peruse our best recipes for St. Patrick's Day, including everything from a fun spin on classic Irish soda bread to tasty, unexpected St. Patrick's Day cocktails. And because we know that no feast is complete without a sweet treat, we've also included a handful of our very best St. Patrick's Day desserts, too.
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Colcannon Shepherd's Pie
Two Irish favorites come together in this hybrid comfort food. The mashed potato-and-cabbage dish known as colcannon tops a traditional shepherd's pie filling of ground lamb and plenty of peas and carrots.
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Irish Soda Scones
We've translated the flavors of Irish soda bread into irresistible drop scones chock-full of dried currants and caraway seeds. The best part? They're quick and easy enough to bake on a weekday morning.
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Chocolate-Stout Cupcakes
Who needs four-leaf clovers when you have these treats? Chocolate cupcakes, mixed with Guinness beer and topped with four-leaf clovers (heart-shaped almond candies, plus a sliver of sugared lime zest), fulfill their sweet promise: Take a bite and you'll feel supremely fortunate.
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Maple Irish Coffee
Whiskey-spiked coffee is a must for St. Patrick's Day. We like this version that's sweetened with maple syrup.
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Homemade Corned Beef with Vegetables
A corned beef supper makes a glorious Irish feast. This one calls on turnips, potatoes, and carrots to round out the meal.
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Bangers and Mash
Why not serve this classic comfort food from across the pond on St. Patrick's Day? An umami-packed onion gravy rounds out the flavors of the juicy sausages and cheesy mashed potatoes.
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Treacle Brown Bread
Molasses, hard cider, and wholemeal flour set this bakery-worthy yeast bread apart. Slather slices with good Irish butter and sprinkle with sea salt to really make it shine.
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Cucumber-Mint Buttermilk Soup
Looking for an easy, elegant St. Patrick's Day starter? Serve this no-cook, make-ahead cold soup that offers a taste of early spring.
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Guinness Pie
Dark stout deepens the flavor of the rich beef-and-vegetable stew filling in this superb savory pie. It's topped with a flaky, golden Irish-cheddar crust.
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Stout-Braised Lamb
The key to super flavorful lamb? Getting a nice sear on it before braising. Serve with store-bought tomato jam or fruit chutney alongside our Simple Watercress Salad and Roasted Root Vegetables and Leeks.
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Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Quicker, easier, and dare we say more delicious than the original, this Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage just might become your go-to recipe.
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Green Crudités with Green Goddess Dip
Add some green and crunch to the table with a selection of lightly blanched asparagus, cauliflower, and snap peas as well as raw produce such as celery and sliced cucumbers. The green goddess dip features creamy avocado, buttermilk, and finely chopped herbs.
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Irish Cream
A truly decadent way to end your St. Patrick's Day meal, this cream liqueur takes just five minutes to make but will delight and be the topic of conversation for weeks to come. It layers an Irish whiskey base with delicious flavorings, including cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla.
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Chewy Irish-Coffee Blondies
Here's everything you love about Irish coffee in one spectacular treat. Freshly ground coffee amps up an otherwise classic blondie batter, while whiskey adds extra oomph to the sugar glaze.
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Irish Beef and Stout Stew
This comforting stew is made festive by a pop of green and a generous glug of stout. Make a double batch and freeze for a rainy spring day.
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Irish Soda Bread
This traditional bread, studded with caraway seeds and raisins, makes a delicious St. Patrick's Day breakfast or a fine accompaniment to dinner. Our pre-portioned version makes sharing easy.
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Irish Brown Soda Bread
We've tried quite a few soda bread recipes over the years. This version, made with sour cream and topped with rolled oats, ranks among the best.
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Irish Coffee Cupcakes
What's better than coffee spiked with whiskey? Espresso-infused cupcakes topped with billowy, whiskey-kissed whipped-cream frosting. Bottoms up.
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Traditional Irish Bacon, Cabbage, and Parsley Sauce
No, it's not the crispy, pan-fried strips you're used to, but one bite of this porky dinner will have you hooked.
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Irish Beef Hand Pies
Beef, be it corned, stewed, or roasted, is an Irish menu mainstay. These hand pies give it a playful, portable and altogether delicious twist.
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Stout Eggnog
Eggnog isn't just for Christmas. Serve this stout version with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings as a St. Patrick's Day party treat.
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Colcannon
Col-whatton? This traditional side marries mashed potatoes with fall-apart-tender cabbage and leeks. Prepare to battle it out for the broiled, buttery crust.
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Cheddar-Topped Shepherd's Pie
You don't need your own flock to appreciate this traditional pub favorite. Even better: Both the filling and the topping can be made ahead. Use ground lamb to make it a true shepherd's pie; using beef turns it into a cottage pie.
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Sugar Cookies with Clovers
For a St. Patrick's Day-themed treat, sprinkle a little luck on your sugar cookies.