Four twice-baked potatoes with corned beef on a baking sheet.
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I am decidedly not Irish–not even a chromosome. I’m hardly lucky. And the best I can do is nurse a pint of Guinness.

But I do share a few things with my Irish brethren: I love the color green, I can’t get enough of potatoes, and I believe corned beef can bring about world peace.

So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes that pay tribute to the Emerald Isle’s rich culinary heritage. From traditional soda bread to boozy Irish coffee, these dishes are sure to put a lilt in your voice and a smile on your face.

So grab your leprechaun apron, and let’s get cooking!

xo,

David Leite's handwritten signature of 'David.'
A black velvet cocktail in a flute with a napkin and cork in the background.
Brent Hofacker
1 of 10

Black Velvet Cocktail

The Black Velvet cocktail contains the word “velvet” in its title for a reason. The effervescent mingling of stout and Champagne is uncommonly smooth and subtly sophisticated. Go on. Take a sip and see for yourself. 

Absolutely fantastic. I love this cocktail and will definitely enjoy it assembled in this dramatically-looking version.

jenny
A loaf of Irish soda bread on a brown plate with a chunk cut out and smeared with butter.
Cristian Barnett
2 of 10

Irish Soda Bread with Walnuts

This Irish soda bread is very close to traditional with the exception of using pantry-friendly yogurt instead of buttermilk. It also includes whole-wheat flour and walnuts and has incredible flavor, keeps well, and goes with everything from soup to jam. Here’s how to make it.

This Irish soda bread is so good. It’s the easiest bread I’ve ever made, great toasted for breakfast, great with Hungarian cauliflower soup, and just a wonderful introduction to whole wheat breads. I mixed it by hand. I’ve been watching Paul on “The Great British Baking Show,” and he says it gives you a feel for the dough and reduces the chance of overmixing. 

Another winner from Leite’s Culinaria—whatever did I do without this website? I feel like a kid at Xmas when I visit the site and see what goodies you all have found. Every day, and from soup to dessert, there is something that makes my mouth water.

marilyn s.
Several slices of homemade corned beef in a sandwich on a wooden table.
David Leite
3 of 10

Homemade Corned Beef

Homemade corned beef is crazy easy to make. It's essentially brisket that's given a makeover by letting it linger in an easy brine with spices and then slowly braised until falling-apart tender. Here's how to make it (including a slow-cooker variation above).

This corned beef was so delicious!! After the six days of brine, I soaked the brisket in clean water for 3 hours to remove some of the salt, changing water every hour, then I cooked on the stove for 4 hours (5-pound brisket). I added potatoes, carrots, and cabbage for the last 45 minutes. SAVE the broth–it makes the best pho (Actually, that might have been my family’s favorite part.)

jeneen
Four twice-baked potatoes with corned beef on a baking sheet.
Time, Inc.
4 of 10

Twice-Baked Potatoes with Corned Beef

These twice-baked potatoes with corned beef are potato jackets stuffed with fluffy mashed potatoes, Cheddar cheese, and corned beef. Perfect for dinner on its own or as a side.
A copper pot filled with beef and Guinness pie topped with puff pastry on a towel on a cooking rack with a bottle behind it.
Katie Quinn Davies
5 of 10

Beef and Guinness Pie

This beef and Guinness pie is essentially traditional Irish beef stew filled with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, beef broth, and herbs, all topped with some lovely and simple store-bought puff pastry. Simple, delicious, and marvelously hearty.

This pie was so incredibly tasty, I can’t recommend it enough. Plus, there’s Guinness to drink when you’re cooking. Honestly, very hearty and relatively easy to cook.

jack h.
Two bowls filled with mashed potatoes and topped with beef stew.
Eliesa Johnson
6 of 10

Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

This hearty Irish-inspired beef stew is loaded with tender beef, vegetables, stout beer and is conveniently made in the slow cooker. Make it for St. Patrick's day or to warm up with a bowl of cold weather comfort food.

This Irish beef stew recipe was amazing! It tasted just like what I’ve had in English pubs, and everyone in the family loved it!

Nat
A small skillet full with corned beef hash on a dish towel.
David Leite
7 of 10

Corned Beef Hash

This corned beef hash, made of potatoes, onion, butter, and corned beef, turns St. Patrick's Day leftovers into homemade lusciousness any time of day. Even if you're not Irish. Just look at me!

Made corn beef hash tonight. It was fabulous! We added the fried egg, and it enhanced the overall flavor of the dish!

elda g.
Cast iron skillet with a pan boxty (Irish potato pancake) in it, on a wooden cutting board.
Kristin Perers
8 of 10

Pan Boxty ~ Irish Potato Pancake

This pan boxty is essentially an Irish potato pancake. Just a few ingredients–grated potatoes, a little flour, and butter–constitute this classic Irish dish. Lovers of colcannon, rösti, latkes, and hash browns will find comfort here.
Two Guiness floats with straws on a grey metal try with a few spoons lying beside them.
Tanya Schroeder
9 of 10

Guinness Ice Cream Float

This Guinness and ice cream float, made with stout and vanilla ice cream is kind of like a root beer float for adults.

This Irish float is another winner! The more the vanilla ice cream and the Guinness beer would blend together, the more we felt a slight coffee taste, so much so we thought about trying it again by actually adding a shot of expresso with it.

sofia
A chocolate stout cake topped with brown butter cream cheese frosting on a green plate with a green mug in the background.
Vedika Luthra
10 of 10

Chocolate Stout Cake

This recipe gives everything one could possibly want in a chocolate cake and more, and yet the star ingredient isn’t just chocolate; it’s also stout beer. Yes, perhaps an odd ingredient for a dessert, but hear me out: the stout adds an earthy undertone that enhances the flavor of the chocolate more than anything else and adds a bit of flair.

FAQs

What would you serve at a traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day meal?

The most popular St. Patrick’s Day dishes include corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, colcannon, stew or shepherd’s pie, and plenty of Guinness or Irish whiskey. In Ireland, it’s also very common to serve lamb.

What is the difference between Irish and American-style corned beef?

In Ireland, corned beef is typically made with lean brisket, while American-style corned beef uses a fattier cut. The flavoring of the corned beef brine also contains different spices, giving each a unique flavor.

Why is corned beef and cabbage considered a traditional Irish dish?

Although we often think of it as an Irish dish, the history of corned beef and cabbage is Irish-American. It became popular among immigrants due to the lower cost of cured beef and abundant cabbage, and over time became associated with St. Patrick’s Day.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Let us know in a comment below.

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About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.

Read More About Me

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11 Comments

    1. Wayne, I am sorry to hear that and wish your wife well in her recovery. Please use our advanced search to will find some Stealthy Healthy choices. That may help to narrow down your search and find some recipes that follow your doctor’s recommendations.

      Reply

    2. Having recently lost my husband of 31 years (cerebral hemorraghe), may I say the best recipe for her health is to hold her hand and let her know she is loved. You have no idea how healing that is. I wish both of you courage, hope, strength, and much love. (And, generally, lemon, oregano, olive oil, and parsley are healthy additions to many dishes…!!) Best of luck to you both.

      Reply

      2. Wayne, from what I have read, a good diet for recovering from a stroke seems to be similar to what is generally recommended for all of us to stay healthy. Leite’s Culinaria has lots of delicious soups, salads, and recipes with lean protein that fit the bill. Among the recipes I tested for the site, I think of the following at the top of my head (when a recipe calls for chicken broth/stock, I often use the low-sodium kind): Turkey Meatball Soup; Spring Panzanella; Indian-Inspired Salmon with Mango Salsa. Please take good care.

        Reply

  3. It’s a bit late for the party (but what is new there with me?), but with all the planned drinking, it’s only apropos Ireland’s ripe proper bite would be the Spice Bag.

    I have not been to Ireland, though I would like to one of these years. You know, I will seek one down since I am more in the food traveler vein.

    Recipe right here.

    Reply