51 Best St. Patrick's Day Foods for Your Celebration
Whether you want to keep it traditional or are open to something new and fun, this list has a recipe for you.
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Whether you’re Irish or not, you can enjoy a good, hearty Irish meal from time to time. But with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, there's no better time to have a delicious corned beef with caramelized cabbage, cozy shepherd's pie and decadent chocolate whoopie pies. If you want to take your celebrations to the next level, our list of the best St. Patrick's Day foods is for you. Many of these dishes have origins in Ireland, while others are fun, green foods that capture the spirit of the holiday.
If you ask us, there's never a bad time for an Irish dessert or a St. Patrick's Day drink. But there's no denying that they just taste better on St. Patrick's Day. Gather your favorites now so you're ready on March 17.
Guinness Beef Stew
This hearty stew is the perfect St. Patrick's Day dinner. This slow-simmered dinner is made with beef chuck, a can of extra-stout beer, potatoes, carrots and parsnips. Bake a loaf of Irish soda bread to soak up every last bit.
Get the Guinness Beef Stew recipe.
RELATED: Best Dutch Oven Recipes: Cozy Dinners and Decadent Desserts
Chocolate Dipped Baileys Doughnuts
With Baileys (Irish cream) being one of the most popular Irish drinks, we had to include a Baileys-based dessert in this list.
Get the Baileys Doughnuts recipe from Delish.
Shepherd's Pie
This just might be the ultimate comfort food. This St. Patrick's Day classic is made with ground lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots and a bit of Guinness. It doesn't get more Irish than that!
Get the Shepherd's Pie recipe.
Green and Rainbow Cupcakes
These cupcakes have some of the best, most recognizable parts of St. Patrick's Day. Not only are they green, but they also have a beautiful rainbow and of course, gold.
Get the St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Ham and Cheese Beer Bread
This dish is the definition of crowd-pleasing, on St. Patrick's Day or any other. You just can't go wrong with ham, beer and two types of cheese.
Get the Ham and Cheese Beer Bread recipe.
Baileys Tiramisu Crepe Cake
This one is another Bailey's-based dessert to keep the St. Paddy's spirit up and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get the Baileys Tiramisu Crepe Cake recipe from Sugar & cloth.
Mini Grasshopper Pies
Is there anything more appropriate for St. Patrick's Day than a green dessert? These treats are made with marshmallow creme, chocolate sandwich cookies, butter and dark chocolate.
Get the Mini Grasshopper Pies recipe.
Soda Bread
This classic Irish dish is incredibly versatile. Spread some jam or butter on it for breakfast, use it for lunch sandwiches, or serve it alongside corned beef and cabbage for dinner.
Get the Soda Bread recipe.
Dijon and Green Peppercorn–Crusted Standing Rib Roast
According to the blog Irish American Mom, the most popular St. Patrick's Day meal in Ireland is a roast. If you're looking to make something truly special for the holiday, we'd recommend this standing rib roast brushed with a savory, aromatic mustard mixture and served with a white wine and shallot pan sauce.
Get the Dijon and Green Peppercorn–Crusted Standing Rib Roast recipe.
Roasted Lamb Chops with Snap Pea Salad
Another common dish served on St. Patrick's Day is lamb. This year, try this dish which brings together juicy lamb chops and a light, fresh salad that's perfect for spring.
Colcannon
A traditional Irish staple, this classic dish is made of creamy mashed potatoes and greens — in this case, kale. Yes, please!
Get the Colcannon recipe.
Chocolate Whoopie Pies
A splash of smooth and creamy dark beer — such as Guinness — adds complexity and depth of flavor to chocolate cake batter.
Get the Chocolate Whoopie Pies recipe.
Green Beer
On St. Paddy's Day, beer dyed green totally counts as food. Use your favorite light beer for a prettier color (and extra-refreshing taste).
Get the Green Beer recipe.
RELATED: Best St. Patrick's Day Drinks That Will Bring You Extra Luck
Shortbread Squares
Use good Irish butter in these rich cookies to really take them over the top.
Get the Shortbread Squares recipe.
Homemade Irish Cream
Made with condensed milk, heavy cream and Irish whiskey, you're only a DIY away from homemade Baileys. Yum!
Get the Homemade Irish Cream recipe.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
This classic Irish recipe is often associated with St. Patrick's Day. But if you ask us, there's never a bad time for caramelized cabbage and slow-simmered corned beef.
Get the Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe.
Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes who? Smashed potatoes are less common than their mashed cousin, but this buttery, crispy recipe will have you wondering why that is.
Get the Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes recipe.
RELATED: Easy Potato Recipes For Weeknight Dinners, Thanksgiving and More
Cheddar-Beer Fondue
This oozy, boozy spread makes a great St. Patrick's appetizer for any party. And there are tons more ways you can cook with your Irish stout, if you want to make it a theme: Try Guinness chocolate cake for dessert!
Get the Cheddar-Beer Fondue recipe.
RELATED: Best Fondue Pots
Potato Leek Soup
Like St. Patrick's Day itself, this potato soup flavored with garlic, fennel and leeks feels like winter with a nod to spring.
Get the Potato Leek Soup recipe.
Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Cabbage
Take a break from lamb and beef with this equally nourishing roast pork main, lightened up with a zippy cabbage side.
Get the Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Cabbage recipe.
Rosamelia is a writer at Good Housekeeping, covering everything related to Gen Z, lifestyle, and online trends. She’s a graduate of NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
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