Home Recipes Cuisines European Irish
Rosemary SiefertUpdated: Mar. 27, 2024
Take your family to Ireland—right at the dinner table. Readers share their best traditional Irish recipes, from shepherd's pie and seafood chowder to herbed carrots and colcannon potatoes. Dig in on St. Patrick's Day or any day.
Sure, you might be likely to cook up a few staple Irish recipes on St. Patrick’s Day, but there are so many more foods worth sprinkling into your weeknight dinner rotation. Save the green St. Paddy’s foods and leftover corned beef recipes for March. Fill the rest of your year with more traditional Irish foods like coddle, colcannon and blaa.
Mixed in with the braised meats, breads and stews, you’ll see several iterations of corned beef. While not a traditional Irish dish, it is a traditional Irish-American dish, so we’ve included it for good measure. Bacon is more commonly used in Ireland, but when immigrants came to America, beef was more affordable than pork and thus took the place of bacon in the form of thinly sliced and cured brisket.
There’s more to Ireland than delicious, buttery potatoes, so pour a pint or steep a cuppa, and let’s dive in.
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Classic Irish Soda Bread
This traditional Irish soda bread can be made with an assortment of mix-ins such as dried fruit and nuts, but I like it with a handful of raisins. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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Irish Beef Stew
Irish recipes don’t get much more comforting than this. Rich and hearty, this Irish beef stew is my husband’s favorite. The beef is incredibly tender. Served with crusty bread, it’s an ideal cool-weather meal and perfect for any Irish holiday. —Carrie Karleen, St. Nicolas, Quebec
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Colcannon Potatoes
Every Irish family has its own colcannon recipe, since it's a classic potato and cabbage dish. My recipe comes from my father's family in Ireland. It's part of my St. Patrick's Day menu, along with lamb chops, carrots and soda bread. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon
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Homemade Irish Cream
Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this homemade Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota
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Also, add these Irish desserts to your list that will be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.
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Irish Stew Pie
The only thing more comforting than a hearty bowl of Irish stew is having it baked into a pie! The flavors blend well with lamb, but you can use cuts of beef instead if you wish. —Nicolas Hortense, Perth, Australia
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Slow-Cooked Corned Beef
It’s not luck; it’s just an amazing Irish recipe. With this in the slow cooker by sunrise, you can be sure to fill seats at the dinner table by sundown. —Heather Parraz, Rochester, Washington
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Favorite Irish Bread
Serve this classic Irish recipe with butter, jam and a hot cup of tea. Baking this beauty in a 9-inch pan means there is enough to go around. —Sadie Rotondo, Rockland, Massachusetts
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Irish Spiced Beef
The story goes that my Irish ancestors brought this recipe along when they immigrated to the U.S. Start it at least five days ahead to spice and tenderize the meat; the flavors are worth it. —Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois
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Red Roasted Potatoes
Some fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these roasted red potatoes a distinctive and subtle taste. This dish is simple to prepare yet elegant in color and flavor. It's a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
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I have fond memories of growing up in an Irish-Italian family and learning to cook from my grandparents. Beefy stew reminds me of their precious contributions. —Renee Murphy, Smithtown, New York
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11/46
My beef and cabbage supper began as an idea for a gluten-free Reuben sandwich. We also make this dish with smoked sausage. It’s comforting on cooler days. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Irish Brown Bread
During our visit to Ireland, my family and I fell in love with Irish brown bread: a simple, rustic loaf with a crunchy crust, soft interior and rich wheat flavor. We missed it so much after leaving that I made my own Irish brown bread recipe. —Nancy Mock, Burlington, Vermont
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13/46
Rutabaga Pie
This is a variation of a recipe my mom used to make. I changed a few things so it's easier to prepare. My whole family enjoys this hearty main dish. —Patricia Kron, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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Traditional Scones
Making scones is shockingly simple. I learned how when my wife and I hosted an afternoon tea, and I wish I’d tried my hand at it earlier! —Chuck Hinz, Parma, Ohio
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Lamb Stew
My grandmother used to make this stew as a special Sunday meal. It’s one of those unforgettable Irish recipes. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina
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Chocolate Guinness Cake
One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds me of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
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17/46
Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby Carrots
These delicious glazed carrots come to the rescue when I need a side dish for Irish recipes. They cook while I prepare the other dishes, and the slow-cooker simmering saves me precious oven space. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
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19/46
Date Pecan Tea Bread
Packed with dates and pecans, this sweet bread is excellent on its own and even better topped with the chunky cream cheese spread. We enjoy it during the holiday season, but also for after-school and late-night snacks. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
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20/46
Favorite Corned Beef and Cabbage
This classic corned beef and cabbage recipe features tender, flavorful beefmeatsimmered with vegetables. It's served alongsidea zesty horseradish sauce.
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Chunky Apple Cake
After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
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22/46
Braised Corned Beef
You’ll need a bit of time to prepare this braised corned beef, but the end results make all that time worth it. Cook this for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration or for an extra-special meal. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
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23/46
Easy Potato Rolls
After I discovered this Irish recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
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24/46
Triple Mash with Horseradish Bread Crumbs
Why settle for traditional mashed potatoes when you can enjoy three times the flavor? Combine spuds with rutabaga and parsnips, along with the zip of horseradish, for a taste treat. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Caramelized Baked Custards
Creme brulee is our favorite dessert and we love Irish cream liqueur, so I decided to put them together for a dinner finale we truly love. With a last name like Moynihan and a husband named Patrick, you can tell St. Patrick's Day is a very big holiday in our house! —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
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Favorite Irish Soda Bread
My best friend, Rita, shared this irresistible Irish soda bread recipe. It bakes up high, with a golden brown top and a combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Jan Alfano, Prescott, Arizona
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Mini Pork Pies
As a child, I discovered my love of pork pies. I used to help my father deliver oil on Saturdays, and we would stop at a local place to have the meaty pastries for lunch. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
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Grandma’s Seafood Chowder
My grandmother makes this Irish recipe every year for Christmas morning—the only time we ever had it. Why wait, when you can enjoy this satisfying chowder anytime? It’s also delicious topped with biscuits! —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York
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Winning Apple Crisp
I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
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Candied Bacon-Wrapped Figs
I stuffed figs with cream cheese and wrapped them in bacon and spices for an addictive flavor combo that’s sweet, salty and delicious. You can use dates, too. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
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Irish recipes that use Guinness are always winners. Mushrooms, onions and a bottle of Guinness add excellent flavor to my pot roast. This one-dish wonder may taste even better the next day. —Madeleine Bessette, Coeur d Alene, Idaho
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Rhubarb Fool with Strawberries
A fool is a classic Irish recipe that’s usually made with whipped cream and cooked fruit. Try my quick version with rhubarb and berries. —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado
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Potato and Leek Soup
Full of veggies and smoky bacon, with just a little tanginess from sour cream, bowls of this comforting soup taste just as terrific with sandwiches as they do with crackers. —Melanie Wooden, Reno, Nevada
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Bread Pudding with Nutmeg
I always make this Irish recipe for my dad on his birthday and on holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri
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Colcannon Irish Potatoes
My mother came from Ireland as a teen and brought this homey Irish recipe with her. I find that it’s a fantastic way to get my family to eat cooked cabbage—it is hidden in Grandma’s potatoes! —Marie Pagel, Lena, WI
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Guinness Float
That very first sip of a Guinness is what inspired this quick and easy dessert. The rich, creamy foam that gathers on the top of a freshly poured draft made me think of vanilla ice cream. At that point, I knew I had to combine the two in a Guinness float. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
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Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Sauce
Irish recipes like braised meats need hearty veggies to pair with. Don’t be afraid to bring out the roasted Brussels sprouts. Mellowed with mustard sauce, they may just delight even the most skeptical folks. —Becky Walch, Orland, California
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Blueberry Scones
I love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey
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Ham and Leek Pies
I've been making these pies for years, so lots of friends and family now have the recipe. If you can't find leeks, a sweet or mild onion works just as well. —Bonny Tillman, Acworth, Georgia
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Lemon Roasted Fingerlings and Brussels Sprouts
My trick to roasting veggies is to choose ones that cook in the same amount of time. Other combinations to try? Cauliflower florets with baby carrots or okra with cherry tomatoes. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
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Comforting Beef Stew
This slow-cooked beef stew just screams comfort to me. It’s also a family-friendly Irish recipe—my toddlers gobble it right up! —Courtney Percy, Brooksville, Florida
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Browned Butter Roasted Cauliflower
When I was growing up, my mother (who insists on loving some of the least popular vegetables) always raved about how deliciously sweet and tender cauliflower can be. Here, the briny capers, lemon juice and sweet raisins allow the caramelized, nutty cauliflower to shine. —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington
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You can also create awesome St Patrick’s Day charcuterie boards with these dishes for the holiday season!
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Beer-Braised Roast with Root Vegetables
I like the combination of seasoned vegetables and lean meat in this recipe, and my wife likes how the seasonings complement the meat. I serve the roast with a garden salad and crusty multigrain bread. —Malcolm Cieszko, Washington, North Carolina
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Homemade Irish Soda Bread
Some people consider bread to be the most important part of a meal…and this Irish recipe satisfies such folks! This recipe is by far the best soda bread I’ve ever tried. With the addition of raisins, it is moist and delicious! —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey
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Smoked Salmon Cheese Spread
Pretzels, chips and veggies all taste awesome with this creamy blend of salmon, cheese and herbs. Thanks to a food processor, it's always ready in a hurry. —Jill Campbell, Huntsville, Texas
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St. Patrick’s Irish Beef Dinner
A variation on shepherd’s pie, this hearty St. Patrick’s Irish beef dinner brings together saucy beef, mashed potatoes, parsnips and other vegetables. It’s always the star of our March 17th meal. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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Originally Published: December 31, 1969
Rosemary Siefert
Rosemary has been writing and editing for digital and print publications for six years. Starting out as a freelancer for Taste of Home, she joined the team full time in 2022. She writes and edits food content and helps manage Taste of Home’s freelance community. Rosie focuses her writing on cooking tips, baking and cleaning techniques (gotta have a sparkling kitchen!). Rosie’s degrees in journalism and English from the University of Missouri contribute to her skills as an editor, while her penchant for trying new recipes and kitchen hacks shines in her writing.If Rosie isn’t making a (fun) mess in the kitchen, she’s scoping out new restaurants, trying foods she’s never heard of, holed up at a coffee shop with a book or clanging away on one of the typewriters in her collection.
