24 St. Patrick's Day Recipes, From Corned Beef and Cabbage to Irish Soda Bread (2024)

FAQs

What do Irish people eat on St. Paddy's Day? ›

Each country has its “national” bread with recipes dating back to their forefathers. Ireland, for one, has embraced it's kind of bread – the soda bread. It is a basic staple among the Irish that they call it Irish Soda Bread. It's common to see the locals pair this famous bread with a bottle of Guinness too.

It's also a symbol of celebration, baked in droves in the lead up to Saint Patrick's Day. However, the humble soda bread began as an affordable necessity and was the solution to many food problems facing Ireland at the time.

Corned beef and cabbage is not the national dish of Ireland. You would not eat this dish on St. Patrick's Day in Dublin. It is usually only eaten around the religious holiday in the US.

Colcannon and champ

Colcannon is a classic, comforting mash of potatoes, cabbage (or kale) and butter (or cream), flavoured with spring onions. Champ is a similar, mashed potato favourite, flavoured with spring onions, milk and butter.

It was originally used as a substitute for bacon by Irish-American immigrants in the late 1800's. Irish immigrants living in New York actually learned about corned beef from their Jewish neighbors. They found the meat was cheaper and had a similar taste and texture to bacon, so a tradition was born.

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Irish soda bread made without sweeteners or raisins is a natural pairing with smoked salmon or smoked trout, strong cheeses like aged cheddar or the Irish Cashel blue, and as an accompaniment to bowls of hearty soup.

Why do you put a cross in Irish soda bread? ›

I was always told that the cross on the top of Irish Soda Bread was to symbolize the Catholic faith of Ireland, and the Gaelic Cross. Some say it kept the Devil out, but that is what a cross is supposed to do also. Turns out that is true but more importantly, it helps in the baking of the bread.

The thick and hearty nature of Irish soda bread helps it pair very well with meaty stews (especially Irish stew). You can use it to soak up the juices as you eat or as a vehicle for the meat and vegetables. Traditionally, Irish soda bread is served with a slow-simmered beef and barley stew.

The holiday is a huge moneymaker for pubs as people drink Guinness after Guinness, the most popular drink of the day. The amount of alcohol sold tallies up to billions of dollars, but the average bar tab tends to be reasonably priced.

A unique cooking method that gave soda bread its dense texture, hard crust, and slight sourness. Despite its humble beginnings, Irish soda bread has become a large part of the typical St. Patrick's Day feast and plays a major role in Ireland's culinary history.

The main meal of the day for locals is dinner, meaning making reservations is a good idea, especially if you're planning to dine during peak Irish dinner hours (from 8:00 p.m. onward).

Well, turns out Leprechauns eat different types of wild- flowers, nuts, potatoes, and mushrooms. They also enjoy fancy homemade beverages and on given occasions, they take dandelion tea. Since they live in a forest in Ireland, most of the leprechaun's diet is comprised of wild foods.

Traditional dishes, such as Irish stew, coddle, the Irish breakfast, and potato bread have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity.