32 Tasty Recipes - Liven Up Your Saint Patrick's Day Food Spread

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As anyone who’s traveled to Ireland (or anyone who has an Irish pal who’s great in the kitchen) can tell you, traditional Irish cuisine is typically hearty, rib-sticking and delicious. If you’re planning a Saint Patrick’s Day food party this year, add some of these recipes to your menu.

Yes, there are your traditional Irish recipes that include all things potatoes, and your soda bread and Irish stews and etcetera — but you’ll also find a few recipes that you may not be all that familiar with. So take a gander and get to cooking.

Saint Patrick’s Day Breakfast

If you’re taking the long weekend to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day this year, start the weekend off right with a delicious St. Patrick’s Day breakfast or brunch. If you’re the type to celebrate the holiday with your fair share of Guinness or Jameson, you’ll need something in your stomach ASAP.

1. Baileys French Toast

This Baileys French Toast is your typical sourdough bread French toast recipe, but with an extra helping of Irish goodness by way of some Baileys Original Irish Cream. You’ll need to add the Baileys to both your custard that you soak the toast in, as well as the whipped cream topping. And, if you add a little to your morning coffee while you’re cooking, we won’t tell.

2. Shamrock Pancakes

These adorable pancakes are just the thing for anyone who’s celebrating the holiday with the kids in tow. They’re whimsical and just as easy to make as any other pancake, and you might find that the adults in your party love them just as much as the kiddos.

3. Full Irish Breakfast

Don’t quite care for sweets first thing in the morning? Then whip up this ultra-savory full Irish breakfast. Baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, Irish-style bacon, white pudding sausages, blood sausage, toast, eggs and more come together for a true feast that’s definitely exactly what you need after a night of too much Jameson.

4. Corned Beef Hash

If you have a little leftover corned beef from your St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage, consider whipping up this delicious breakfast that’s just the thing for savory breakfast fans. Your leftover corned beef comes together with onions, garlic and crispy potatoes. Top it all with a few poached eggs and you have an Instagram-worthy breakfast.

Saint Patrick’s Day Appetizers and Side Dishes

Let’s get this party started right, with a few tasty appetizers and side dishes to enjoy with your upcoming entree.

5. Irish Soda Bread

Soda bread is THE bread of Ireland. If you’re not terribly comfortable with your bread-baking skills, you’ll be glad to know that soda bread is actually one of the easiest breads to make. Plus, this simple bread pairs perfectly with the hearty beef, potato and carrot-filled entrees to come.

6. Shamrock Soda Bread

Regular ol’ soda bread not festive enough for you? Then try this recipe for soda bread shaped like a shamrock.

7. Irish Barmbrack

If you’ve tried soda bread and don’t quite care for the flavor, you might want to try barmbrack. A bread that’s a little on the sweeter side, it includes a range of spices and dried fruit, and, while it’s typically considered more of a fall dish, no one would fault you for baking it for St. Patrick’s Day.

8. Colcannon

A traditional Irish side dish, colcannon upgrades your typical mashed potatoes, blending in kale. You get all the delicious flavor of mashed potatoes, plus the health benefits of kale. What more could you want?

9. Reuben-Topped Irish Nachos

These Irish nachos are a far departure from traditional, but you do get the deliciousness of Irish flavors along with the fun of nachos. The recipe trades your tortilla chips for potatoes and tops them with a homemade Thousand Island dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.

10. Potato Scones

Potato scones are simple, easy and delicious. Leftover mashed potatoes combine with flour, salt, baking powder, butter and milk, for a quick fried treat that ensures your leftovers don’t go to waste.

11. Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread

But if you want your Irish soda bread fix, but you’re also going gluten-free, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with this gluten-free Irish soda bread recipe that comes together with wheat-free flours, oats, buttermilk and more.

12. Three-Ingredient Beer Breadsticks

Don’t have time to run to the store to pick up extra ingredients ahead of your party? Go with these breadsticks that only require a mere three ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner

But what about the main dish showstopper? These delicious, best St. Patrick’s Day meal recipes are sure to delight both this March and any day of the year that you’re looking for a comfort food-esque meal.

13. Corned Beef and Cabbage

Don’t let this slightly intimidating dish scare you off if you’ve never tried cooking it before. This recipe makes corned beef and cabbage incredibly easy, as it uses your slow cooker. All you’ll really need to do is throw a few things in the cooker and let it go. You can even cook the brisket in your Instant Pot if you’re short on time!

14. Guinness Beef Stew

But what’s a St. Patrick’s Day dinner without a little Guinness? This beef stew recipe also comes together in a snap and is the perfect excuse to buy more Guinness to keep in the fridge this St. Paddy’s Day.

15. Irish Coddle

Okay, so, yeah, you’ve heard of corned beef and cabbage and Guinness beef stew, but have you heard of Irish coddle? This traditional Irish dish is a stew and, like many stews that were invented among impoverished communities around the world, this stew is one of those take-what-you-have-and-throw-it-in-a-pot dishes. This particular recipe requires bacon, sausage, potatoes and more.

16. Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders with Guinness Mustard

Want to upgrade your St. Patrick’s Day dinner with a touch of the modern? Replace your traditional corned beef and cabbage with corned beef and cabbage sliders slathered with Guinness mustard. Again, the corned beef is cooked in your slow cooker, so it’s extra-easy to make, and then shredded before you use it to top your slider buns.

17. Guinness Braised Short Rib Tacos with Guinness Braised Cabbage

Another unique, modern take on corned beef and cabbage, these tacos are perfect for serving if you also plan on whipping up the Irish-inspired nachos featured above. Cook your short ribs in Guinness in your slow cooker, then top it all with some cabbage and other ingredients for a hand-held taco dinner.

18. Corned Beef and Cabbage Egg Rolls

Another delicious option that makes use of the corned beef and cabbage flavors, just in a new format, these egg rolls are awesome finger foods to enjoy either as dinner or as an appetizer.

19. Beef and Guinness Pies

These delicious pies are a little more difficult to whip up than your slow cooker corned beef and cabbage, but the results are tasty and delicious — and just what the doctor ordered if you’re craving some pot pie-like comfort food.

Saint Patrick’s Day Desserts

Even if you don’t want to put together an entire St. Patrick’s Day feast this year, at least treat yourself to one of these delicious desserts. They’re sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

20. Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake

Didn’t get your fill of Baileys Irish Cream at breakfast? No worries. You can get another helping for dessert, with this Baileys Irish Cream cheesecake. You add half a cup of Baileys to your cheesecake filling, and another fourth of a cup to your chocolate ganache topping. It all comes together on a decadent Oreo cookie crust.

21. Baileys Salted Caramel Chocolate Pie

If, though, you’re not that keen on cheesecake, but you still want a delicious Baileys-inspired dessert, go with this salted caramel chocolate pie. You get all the tasty flavors of Baileys combined with chocolate and salted caramel, for a dessert that will tempt anyone.

22. Shamrock Cookies

These adorable cookies are shaped like four-leaf clovers, dipped in chocolate and dotted with colorful green sprinkles. They’re exactly the cookie to make en masse for your St. Patrick’s Day party, to make with the kids or just to enjoy all on your own.

23. Irish Potato Candy

Can’t be bothered to turn on the stove? You can still make a delicious St. Patrick’s Day dessert, thanks to this simple, easy, kid-friendly recipe. Cream cheese, coconut, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and butter come together in small potato-like balls that you refrigerate until they’re firm enough to eat.

24. Lucky Charms Cupcakes

Another great St. Patrick’s Day recipe that’s kid-friendly and a good option to make for a kids’ St. Paddy’s Day party, these Lucky Charms cupcakes are traditional by no means, but they are fun. Plus, if you crave the sugary cereal flavors of your childhood, you’re sure to love this dessert.

25. Green Velvet Cheesecake

Sure, this cake may take a little extra time and effort, but the results are seriously impressive — both in terms of taste and appearance. Swap out your typical red velvet for green, for the “cake” portion of this recipe, then layer in some cheesecake and top it all with marshmallow cheesecake frosting.

Saint Patrick’s Day Drinks

No St. Patrick’s Day party is complete without some drinks. You could go simple with just some bottles of Guinness and Jameson neat, or you could get a little fancy with some of these impressive cocktails your guests (or just you!) are sure to love.

26. Flat White Martini

This martini is a little bit like an espresso martini, just with a little extra St. Patrick’s Day flair, thanks to the addition of some Baileys.

27. Homemade Irish Cream

There’s no need for you to buy Baileys if you can make the same thing on your own at home. This homemade Irish cream recipe can be enjoyed chilled and straight or added to a cocktail or coffee.

28. Copycat Shamrock Shake

Every year around March, McDonald’s comes out with its cult favorite Shamrock Shake for a limited time. If you can’t quite stomach all the sweeteners, dyes and preservatives that you’ll find in the McDonald variant, though, go with this copycat recipe that’s a healthier option you can enjoy anytime of year. It blends yogurt, bananas, vanilla, spinach, mint, milk and ice to create a mint-green smoothie you can feel good about.

29. Mint Schnapps Shakes

But what if you actually do really like all the unhealthy, sugary flavor of a Shamrock Shake, and you want to make it even better with a little booze? Do so with this mist schnapps shake recipe that includes ice cream.

30. The Half and Half

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward Irish pub drink that even the beer-lovers in your crew will enjoy, try The Half and Half. Made from half dark stout beer and half pale ale, this drink is just as fun to look at (and make!) as it is to drink.

31. Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is the perfect way to start your holiday. Just spike your coffee with some Irish whiskey and then top it off with some whipped cream. You get all the caffeine of coffee, along with a little whiskey-inspired buzz — what could be better?

32. Guinness Float

This last drink, though, has it all. You’ve got your Irish whiskey, your Baileys and your Guinness — it’s like the Irish alcohol trifecta. Plus, there’s ice cream. Just make sure the kiddos know that this is one float that’s only for the adults at the party.

Cook Up Something Delicious This Saint Patrick’s Day

Whether you’re cooking a traditional Irish feast for the family, putting together a party spread complete with lots of cocktails or just throwing together a few St. Patrick’s Day desserts for a kids party, you can find something amazing to add to your table among our list of favorite Saint Patrick’s Day recipes.

You might also be interested in: 12 Best Irish Drinks To Enjoy On St. Patrick’s Day [Guide]

Saint Patrick’s Day Food [32 Recipes to Try]: