15 Traditional Irish Foods and Dishes to Try on St. Patrick's Day - Chestnut Asheville (2024)

  • February 24th, 2020

Everyone knows you haven’t really arrived until you’ve “O”-rrived. In preparing for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Brigitt Earley of O, The Oprah Magazine, asked Joe Scully of Chestnut and Corner Kitchen to suggest some dishes other than the predictable (and sorry, not so Irish) Corned Beef and Cabbage. He was more than happy to oblige. Six of his suggestions were included in the holiday round-up.

From the article:

When you think about Irish food, the first thing that probably comes to mind is corned beef and cabbage. But it turns out corned beef is not considered an Irish national dish, says David McKane, the executive chef of Kilkea Castle in county Kildare. “The connection withSaint Patrick’s Dayspecifically originates as part of Irish-American culture, and is often part of their celebrations in North America,” he says. This might lead you to wonder then: What do people who liveinIreland eat? Here, Irish chefs and restaurant owners dish on traditional Irish food, so you can serve the most authentic meal at yourSt. Patrick’s Day party, including soda bread and a seriously tasty trifle towhip up for dessert.

1. Bacon and Cabbage

Traditionally, Irish bacon, a lean, smoked pork loin similar to Canadian bacon, was the most ubiquitous meat on the table in Ireland, namely because it was cheap, says McKane. But when Irish immigration to the United States exploded, immigrants found the cost of pork in this country to be prohibitively expensive, so they began cooking beef instead. As a result, bacon and cabbage is technically the more traditional Irish dish; corned beef and cabbage is the Irish-American variant.

2. Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is a quick bread made without yeast. It rises, because, when combined, baking soda and buttermilk act as a leavening agent. According toThe Complete Irish Pub Cookbook, the bread is usually scored with a cross to help it rise. Irish folklore says this also helps ward off evil and let the fairies out.

3. Irish Stew

An easy and flexible meal that’s commonly considered the national dish of Ireland, says Amy Lawless, an Irish American and co-owner of The Dearborn in Chicago. Though generally made with mutton, onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, Irish stew can also be created with beef or chicken, she explains.

15 Traditional Irish Foods and Dishes to Try on St. Patrick's Day - Chestnut Asheville (2)

4. Irish Coffe

Irish coffee isn’t your average cup of Joe. It’s a co*cktail that’s made with a strong hot coffee, Irish Whiskey like Jameson, and sugar, says Amy Lawless. The whole thing gets topped with a thick head of whipped cream.

5. Corned Beef and Cabbage

Of course, corned beef and cabbage still pops up on many a dinner table come St. Patrick’s Day. According toThe Complete Irish Pub Cookbook, traditionally, the brining liquid included is Saltpeter—a bactericide that helps produce that ultra-pigmented pink color. This is one dish you’re going to have to plan ahead for: To properly brine the meat, you need to give yourself at least a week.

6. Colcannon

A staple side dish on many Irish tables during the winter, this comfort food is a mixture of braised white cabbage and creamy mashed potatoes, says Joe Scully, an Irish chef and owner ofChestnutandCorner Kitchenin Asheville, North Carolina.

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15 Traditional Irish Foods and Dishes to Try on St. Patrick's Day - Chestnut Asheville (2024)

FAQs

What food do the Irish eat on St Patricks Day? ›

When it comes to dinner on St. Patrick's Day, the most popular meal is corned beef and cabbage—often accompanied by a green beer or two. The boiled dinner and its liquid accompaniment dominate the menu of Irish bars and restaurants up and down the country on March 17, and many home cooks serve the dish, too.

What is popular Irish food for St. Patrick's Day? ›

Patrick's Day is now associated with wearing green, parades (when they're not canceled) and beer, the holiday is grounded in history that dates back more than 1,500 years. The earliest known celebrations were held in the 17th century on March 17, marking the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick in the 5th century.

What is a uniquely Irish food? ›

By the 21st century, much traditional Irish cuisine was being revived. Representative dishes include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, brown bread (as it is referred to in the South) or soda bread (predominantly used in Ulster), coddle, and colcannon.

What do Irish Catholics eat on St. Patrick's Day? ›

Stateside, you might tuck into a meal of corned beef and cabbage on March 17. But in Ireland, it's not a common dish—instead, slow-cooked stews made with beef or lamb, and served with sides like colcannon, are more typical for St. Patrick's Day.

What is the national dish of Ireland? ›

Irish Stew is a thick, hearty dish of mutton, potatoes, and onions and undisputedly the national dish of Ireland. Within the dish are many of the ingredients synonymous with the island, potatoes being one of the most recognized.

What is an Irish potato called? ›

Solanum tuberosum (Irish Potato, Irish Potatoes, Pomme de Terre, Potato, Potatoes, White Potato, White Potatoes) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.

What is an Irish dish for leftovers? ›

Coddle (sometimes Dublin coddle; Irish: cadal) is an Irish dish which is often made to use up leftovers. It most commonly consists of layers of roughly sliced pork sausages and rashers (thinly sliced, somewhat-fatty back bacon) with chunky potatoes, sliced onion, salt, pepper, and herbs.

What is Ireland's national drink? ›

Over the last three centuries, Guinness has become a legendary part of Irish culture, celebrated as Ireland's national drink. And with over 8,000 years still left on the original St. James Gate brewery lease, there's still a lot more of 'the black stuff' to make and enjoy.

How do the Irish celebrate St. Patty's Day? ›

The tradition, which now stretches back over a century, will feature a parade, live music and plenty of local artists out on show. Finally, in the Rebel County, Cork will host their own celebration between 16th and 18th of March featuring a parade with the theme of “Democracy for All – 100 Years of the Vote for Women”.

Why is a reuben considered Irish? ›

While the Reuben sandwich itself doesn't have Irish roots (it was thought to be created in Omaha, Nebraska mid-poker game) the meat inside it – corned beef, does. Well, it kind of does. The Irish-corned beef relationship is considered to be much more Irish-American than it is purely Irish.

What's the difference between Irish stew and beef stew? ›

The main difference between an Irish stew and classic beef stew comes down to the protein. Traditional Irish stew is usually made with lamb, while beef stew is always made with beef. Our version includes beef chuck, which is less traditional, but easy to make and equally delicious.

Why is corned beef called corned beef? ›

It's actually pretty simple — corned beef got its name from the dry curing process used to preserve the meat. A slice of beef was covered in “corns” (large, coarse pellets of salt), which would draw out the moisture and prevent the growth of bacteria.

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