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.
42 Classic Irish Recipes that Celebrate the Emerald Isle
Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
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Irish Soda Bread
Our Irish soda bread recipe yields a traditional loaf that would make any Grammy or Granda proud. Don’t forget to let the fairies out!
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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
Putting together your St. Patrick's Day feast? Make sure there's room for colcannon, one of Ireland's most famous potato dishes, on the table.
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Irish Cream
This delicious, festive Irish cream recipe can be made with ingredients already in your refrigerator and cupboard.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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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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Roasted Red Potatoes
This roasted red potatoes recipe is both easy to make and elegant, plus it's the ideal accompaniment for just about any main course. The aroma and flavors of garlic and rosemary are warm and comforting, and delicious any time of the year. The entire dish takes just 30 minutes to make, including the prep time. Are you hungry yet?
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Hearty Beef & Sweet Potato Stew
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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Savory Beef & Cabbage Supper
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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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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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
Tender chunks of lamb come together with carrots and potatoes in this rich, hearty lamb stew recipe. Serve it as a one-pot meal with crusty bread, or double down on comfort by ladling the stew over polenta or mashed potatoes.
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Guinness Chocolate Cake
Need a St. Patty’s Day dessert? Our Guinness chocolate cake is a fan-favorite Irish dessert.
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Lemon Baked Cod
Lemon baked cod delivers bold flavor with minimal effort, making it a natural go-to for weeknight or date-night dinners. Pairing it with roasted vegetables or a grain salad will complement the flavors nicely.
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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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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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Corned Beef and Cabbage
Tender meat, hearty vegetables and a spicy horseradish sauce make this one of the best corned beef and cabbage recipes you'll ever make.
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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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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 Recipes Food Stylist
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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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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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Baked Custard
This baked egg custard recipe is made from scratch, flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla then baked in the oven until smooth and silky.
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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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Stout & Shiitake Pot Roast
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 Leek Soup
Even though our potato leek soup is a lighter version of the French classic, the recipe packs tons of flavor.
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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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Guinness Float
The perfect finale to a dinner party, this Guinness float is decadence in a pint glass. The rich, velvety and complex flavors of Guinness stout are complemented by a creamy scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce to create the ultimate adult milkshake.
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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
Save your precious summer blueberries for these blueberry scones! They’re so good, you’ll be thankful you get 16 scones out of the recipe.
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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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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, WashingtonYou 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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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
