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When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, there’s no better way to get into the spirit than with a feast of traditional Irish food and green food, drink, and dessert ideas.
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When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, I love diving into the spirit by whipping up a feast of traditional Irish dishes, fun green treats, and festive drinks. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing dinner for your family, or simply craving some Irish-inspired comfort food, I’ve got you covered!
From hearty dinners to kid-friendly snacks and vibrant desserts, this ultimate guide to St. Patrick’s Day food will help you celebrate with flavor and flair. Let’s make this St. Patrick’s Day your tastiest one yet!
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Ideas
Wondering what to serve for your St. Patrick’s Day dinner? You can go all-out with green-dyed food for a playful touch or stick to classic Irish recipes that bring a taste of tradition to your table. Here are my go-to St. Patrick’s Day dinner recipes:
- Irish Pasties – An authentic Irish favorite in our family. Beef and potatoes in a flaky crust topped with gravy.
- Corned Beef and Cabbage – A classic dish from Ireland with flavored beef and veggies.
- Irish Beef Stew – An Irish stew of beef, potatoes, carrots and herbs in a rich beef base made in the slow cooker. A Guinness free version.
- Easy Shepherd’s Pie – Meat and veggies and topped with mashed potatoes and cheese.
- Corned Beef Sandwiches – A tasty Irish sandwich, especially with our homemade Russian dressing!
- Sunday Pot Roast – Tender beef roasted to perfection with garlic, potatoes and carrots. Pure comfort food.
- Beef Pot Pie – This yummy beef and veggie pot pie cooks up fast in the instant pot.
St. Patrick’s Day Side Dishes
Pair your main course with one (or more!) of these Irish-inspired side dishes for a complete meal:
- Scalloped Potatoes (au gratin or dauphinoise potatoes) – Potato slices in a rich creamy sauce.
- Irish Soda Bread – Butter up this easy bread from Ireland that requires no yeast or waiting to rise.
- Chopped Cabbage Salad – Chopped cabbage in a tangy dressing topped with crunchy noodles.
- Roasted Green Beans – A vibrant green side that is roasted to perfection in the oven.
- Sautéed Sweet Asparagus – Our favorite way to cook asparagus, sweet and buttery.
- Roasted Potatoes with Brussels Sprouts – Tender potatoes, crisp Brussels sprouts and savory bacon in every bite. Bacon makes any vegetables taste better.
- Rainbow Fruit Display with Fruit Dip – These colorful fruits taste amazing with a cream cheese fruit dip.
St. Patrick’s Day Desserts and Drinks
No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without dessert and drinks!
Desserts:
- Shamrock Shakes – This McDonalds copycat is even better than the fast food version.
- Mini Grasshopper Cheesecakes – cute little green mini cheesecakes with Oreo cookies mint flavor.
- Mint Chocolate Fudge Swirl – This mint and chocolate swirled fudge is a tasty green treat.
- Bread Pudding – This apple bread pudding with caramel sauce is sure to be a favorite. Top with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream.
- Cake or Cupcakes – make them with Green frosting!
Drinks (Non-Alcoholic):
- Irish Cream Soda – A creamy refreshing soda made with real fruit. Source: dailydishrecipes.com
- Mint Juleps – A yummy green drink that is a favorite from New Orleans.
St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Ideas
Start your holiday with a festive breakfast the whole family will love!
- Green Smoothie – A naturally green drink loaded with healthy fruits and veggies.
- Avocado Toast – This healthy toast will keep you full until lunch. Of course, you can add an egg for an extra protein kick.
- Breakfast Casserole – This overnight hash brown casserole is great for feeding a big group.
- Corned Beef Hash – Corned beef, diced potatoes, and eggs make up this tasty savory breakfast. Source: dinnerthendessert.com
- Green Eggs and Ham – this fun breakfast based off the popular book is green and free of dye. Source: eatingrichly.com
- Rainbow Waffles – a magically delicious way to start off a happy day. Source: mommysfabulousfinds.com
- Green Pancakes – a fun and colorful breakfast better than a pot of gold that kids will love.
Questions About St. Patrick’s Day Food
On Patrick’s Day, the most popular meal is corned beef and cabbage, often served with a green beer or two. If you don’t drink, leave those out of course.
If you want to go all green on St. Patty’s day, a few green foods you can serve are: green beans, green peppers, kale, spinach, avocado or asparagus.
St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The day has really evolved into more of a celebration of Irish culture, with parades, food, dancing, drinking and a LOT of green.
While many of the dishes have Irish origins, others, like corned beef and cabbage, have become more popular in Irish-American communities. Traditional Irish breakfasts and Irish soda bread are also iconic, but many recipes have evolved over time.
If you’re looking for vegetarian options, try serving dishes like colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage), potato leek soup, roasted vegetables, or a hearty veggie stew. You can also make a vegetarian shepherd’s pie with lentils or mushrooms instead of meat.
Make the food colorful and playful! Green pancakes, rainbow waffles, and minty treats like shamrock shakes or mini grasshopper cheesecakes are a fun way to get the kids involved. You can also create themed snacks like “green eggs and ham” or green fruit salads.
Ready to celebrate? I’d love to know what you’re making for St. Patrick’s Day! Share your favorite recipes or creations in the comments below—let’s inspire each other with delicious ideas. 🍀🌈
How many minutes does it take to cook? I want to try, but I don’t have much time.
About 15 min
I can’t wait to surprise my kids with these green pancakes this year!
Such a great list of awesome recipes! I am showing this to my kids and letting them pick what they want! Thanks for collecting these in one spot!
Thanks! You’ll have to let us know which ones they picked!