Irish Recipes

If you're on the hunt for some traditional Irish food for St. Patrick's Day or because you crave a hearty Irish dinner, you've come to the right place. I've featured the most tried and true Irish dishes that are guaranteed to please.

Whether you're craving something sweet or looking for some warm and cozy classic Irish cuisine, I've featured something for everyone in this delicious recipe collection.

There are as many 'traditional' recipes as there are Grandmas that make them. Keep this in mind when searching for 'the one' that takes you back to enjoying meals with your family.

1. Barmbrack

Barmbrack is a traditional fruity spiced bread that is incredibly easy to make. It's not sweet enough to be considered a cake, but it's sweet enough to feel like a treat.

Spread some butter on a slice and it's perfect for breakfast.

2. Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is a simple quick bread with just four ingredients. It is delicious as-is, but it also makes a great base for other quick-bread recipes and desserts.

3. Irish Lamb Stew

This cozy, comforting stew is chock full of tender grass-fed lamb and lots of veggies.

The broth is thick enough to cling to all the tasty components and will have you savoring every bite. It's delicious during cold weather, but it's also enjoyable any time of the year.

4. Potato Leek Soup

If you're a fan of classic potato soup, you will be even more impressed with potato leek soup. Leeks add the same expected onion flavors but with a totally different consistency.

This soup is extra creamy, and features a sprinkling of bacon and white cheddar- yes, it's as good as it sounds.

5. Irish Apple Cake

This apple cake is an Irish tradition, and it's speckled with bits of tender, fresh apples that add a delightful texture.

Add a drizzle of homemade custard sauce over the top while serving and you won't be able to stop at one slice.

6. Old Fashioned Irish Oatmeal Cake

This old-fashioned oatmeal cake is topped with heavenly caramel pecan frosting. The cake is moist and fluffy, with a delicious spiced flavor from nutmeg and cinnamon.

This cake is easy to whip up in a jiffy, so if you need a last-minute dessert you should give it a try.

7. Irish Soda Bread Pudding

This bread pudding with Bailey's Crème Anglaise is a perfect example of making something indulgent from the previously mentioned traditional Irish soda bread recipe.

The chunky soda bread holds up well to moisture for a bread pudding unlike any you've had before. The Crème Anglaise is rich and velvety with a hint of Bailey's Irish cream, making this bread pudding incredibly luxurious.

8. Apple Blackberry Crumble

This easy-to-make apple blackberry crumble is a popular dessert in Ireland, and you'll see why. Slightly tart blackberries and sweet apples contrast each other wonderfully, while the sweet crumble topping adds amazing texture.

9. Shepherd's Pie

When people think of traditional Irish cuisine, shepherd's pie is usually at the top of the list. This fantastic comfort food is stuffed with ground lamb meat, veggies, a saucy gravy, and a baked mashed potato topping to hold it all together.

10. Fork Biscuits

Fork biscuits are a simple 3-ingredient baked treat that tastes wonderful with coffee or tea. They are nice and crisp with just the right amount of sweetness.

11. Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage is not technically Irish (in Ireland they enjoy a similar recipe of bacon and cabbage). However, it's an incredibly popular dish in the States that you will often find served in Irish pubs or for St. Patrick's Day.

The key is in slow-roasting the beef with Guinness beer. It's incredibly savory and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

12. Railway Cake (Spotted Dog)

Railway cake, also known as 'spotted dog', is an Irish soda bread with dried fruits sprinkled throughout. This 'sweet cake' or quick bread was often served as a treat after a hard day's work.

Nowadays, there's no hard work required and you can enjoy a slice of delicious railway cake whenever you, please.

13. Colcannon

Colcannon is an Irish mashed potato recipe that features greens like kale, cabbage, or Swiss chard and a hefty helping of butter and cream.

It makes a wonderful side dish for any of these Irish main courses, but it's always difficult to not eat a whole bowl of it by itself.

14. Corned Beef Hash

This chopped meat and potatoes dish is salty, savory, and utterly delicious. It's a great way to use up any leftover corned beef from the holidays.

With some eggs and maybe even an Irish coffee, corned beef hash makes a hearty, enjoyable breakfast.

15. Cornish Pasty

A pasty is a hand-held meat pie. This version includes tender cabbage, corned beef (another good recipe for using up leftovers), and potatoes.

It's always a hit when entertaining if you serve up a tray full of Cornish pasties, especially on St. Patty's Day.

16. Boxty Irish Pancakes

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake. Leftover mashed potatoes are perfect for this recipe because they make better pancakes when they're cold.

They have a crisp outside with a soft inside, and they are totally addicting.

17. Dublin Coddle

Dublin coddle is a classic Irish sausage and potato stew. Bacon, sausage, onions, and potatoes are all slow-roasted in a thick brown gravy that might not be much to look at, but it sure is delicious.

If you're craving something hearty and comforting, this stew hits the spot.

18. Bangers and Mash

The term bangers and mash lovingly refers to sausages with mashed potatoes and gravy. It's simple, flavorful, and truly the epitome of comfort food.

You can use any sausage you like- pork, beef, lamb, you name it. This recipe calls for pork sausage and boy is it delicious.

19. Guinness Lamb Stew

The Irish love their stews almost as much as they love their beer and this recipe has both. What's not to love about tender chunks of lamb and vegetables in a made-from-scratch tomato and stout broth?

It's one of my favorite fall stew recipes. Enjoy it as it comes or ladle it over some mashed potatoes for a truly comforting meal.

20. Potato Farls or Fadge (Irish Potato Cakes)

Potato farls (also referred to as 'fadge') are another tasty leftover mashed potato dish. It's a quick potato bread that traditionally was made on the griddle right in the leftover grease from breakfast.

Serve it warm with some butter and salt and you'll be in heaven.

21. Irish Scones

Irish scones are buttery and soft, perfect for spreading with jam, cream cheese, or butter. They're great for afternoon tea or as a quick breakfast because they only take about 30 minutes to make and there's no kneading.

💭 Tips For Making Traditional Irish Recipes

• Use quality ingredients. Use Irish butter, cheese, and cream. Plus, potatoes and grass-fed meats are ideal.
• Slow cook to perfection. Let soups, stews, and braised meats simmer low and slow for deep, rich flavors.
• Perfect soda bread. Don’t overmix. Always use buttermilk and bake at high heat.
• Master mashed potatoes. Use starchy potatoes, like russets. Follow my guide on how to make mashed potatoes for fluffy, rich results every time.
• Incorporate Guinness beer or Irish whiskey. Beer and whiskey add richness and depth to stews, batters, and sauces.

Each of the recipes mentioned here would make for a wonderful St. Patrick's Day dinner or traditional Irish meal. Try one recipe or a few and let me know which is your favorite by leaving a comment.

😋 More Comfort Food Recipes

• Ritz Chicken - Juicy chicken breasts coated in a crisp and buttery Ritz cracker breading.
• Chili Con Carne - This hearty beef and bean chili has just enough spice and loads of flavor.
• Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak - This easy recipe for slow cooker salisbury steak makes a fantastic family dinner any day of the week.
• Baked Rigatoni - Nothing beats a bowl of warm, saucy pasta when you're craving some comfort food.
• Southern Shrimp & Grits - A hearty bowl of shrimp & grits makes a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
• Chicken and Dumplings - No one can resist a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings made from scratch.

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