In the United States, you might find yourself adding green food coloring to your food and cooking corned beef and cabbage for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day. Green food may pass as Irish food in the USA, but that isn’t the way they do it in Ireland.
In fact, you’d have a hard time finding anyone making corned beef and cabbage because the dish is actually American!
So if you want an authentic Irish experience for Paddy’s Day here’s what the Irish eat for St. Patrick’s Day.
Table of Contents
Breakfast
The Irish start the day with a hearty meal and the favorite choice is a fry.
Bacon, sausage, black and white pudding - a great way to start this special day and everyday in Ireland.
Full Irish Breakfast aka A Fry Up
You may already be familiar with the Full English Breakfast; eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and such.
Well, Ireland has a few variations and it’s called a Full Irish, or when in Ireland a Fry Up.
In a full Irish you’ll find bacon or rashers, sausages, fried eggs, white pudding, black pudding, baked beans, and either a potato farl, boxty which is a traditional Irish potato pancake, potato cakes or toast.
It's served all over the Emerald Isle, and if you've stayed in an Irish bed and breakfast then you'll have been offered an Irish Fry for breakfast. A great way to start the day!
You can learn all about where you can purchase the ingredients for an Irish fry in the United States here.
Breakfast Roll
This may not be traditional Saint Patrick's Day food, but if you’re out and about or you happen to live close to a small shop with a deli then you might find yourself getting a breakfast roll.
They consist of a bread roll with some combination of sausages, bacon, white pudding, black pudding, butter, and tomatoes inside with ketchup or brown sauce as well.
Sometimes you can also add baked beans and fried eggs as well.
Now that's a bumper breakfast roll. But when your lenten sacrifices can be officially put on hold, it's okay to spoil yourself for breakfast on Saint Paddy's Day.
Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs
Another breakfast treat which is often served in Irish hotels is smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast.
The Irish love smoked salmon and they make some of the best smoked fish in the world.
The fishy, smoky flavor of the salmon beautifully compliments the scrambled eggs - a breakfast fit for a king.
Dinner
I’ll be completely honest with you, Paddy’s Day is an incredibly popular day to order pizza or Chinese delivered to your house in Ireland. It's a bank holiday there, so most people have the day off work, and many take a day off from cooking too.
There are even some people who completely throw tradition out the window and make burritos.
But, if you are going to be cooking chances are you’ll do what is considered a proper Sunday Roast. A formal dinner with a roasted joint of meat as the centerpiece is the most traditional Saint Patrick's Day meal in Ireland.
Lamb
In the United States when you go to the grocery store you’ll mostly find beef, pork, and chicken on the shelves. Well in Ireland you can also expect to see them selling lamb.
Lamb is one of the favorite meats all over the country. So when it comes to holidays there’s a good chance you’ll find houses serving roast leg of lamb.
The lamb is usually served with roasted root vegetables like carrots and parsnips along with several types of potatoes including my favorites roast potatoes.
Roast lamb served with mint sauce is a meal for a special occasion in Ireland.
Beef
Roast beef is another popular option for a Sunday Roast and indeed St. Patrick’s Day. Just like with the lamb it will be served with root vegetables and potatoes cooked a few different ways.
This is pretty much as close as you will find to what Americans consider traditional on St. Patrick’s Day. Though the only way you’re going to see cabbage on the plate is if it is in the colcannon.
You can also make your Paddy’s Day roast using chicken or ham, though these are less common.
Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie
Another dish you might find on Irish tables on St. Patrick’s Day is shepherd’s pie. This is a dish that combines meat, veggies, and mashed potatoes together in a sort of casserole.
This dish has been gaining popularity in the United States over the last decade. However, it needs to be said that in Ireland Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb. If you want it made with ground beef then what you’re looking for is actually called Cottage Pie.
You can buy them already made in stores if you want but, much like frozen meals you’d buy in the US, you’re losing out on quality when you do.
Cottage pie features on pub grub menus throughout Ireland and is frequently ordered on Saint Patrick's Day.
Bacon and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is served in America as the traditional Paddy's Day meal. The Irish equivalent to this meal is boiled bacon and cabbage.
However, bacon is considered an everyday meat by the Irish, and is unlikely to be served in homes on a special occasion like Saint Patrick's Day.
For the special occasion ham is usually served with a creamy parsley sauce, and sides of cabbage and potatoes.
It's usually served with Irish style mashed potatoes, which are a little less creamy and loose when compared to American mash.
This traditional Irish dinner, served with parsley sauce, appears on many restaurant and hotel menus since tourists expect this taste of Ireland when they visit the Emerald Isle for Saint Patrick's Day.
Irish Stew
In America, Irish stews are made in stock pots and crock pots by the dozen to celebrate Saint Paddy.
They're the perfect solution for feeding a crowd. Stews are easy, make ahead of time dishes that simply need to be heated and served to entertain with Irish flare.
Guinness beef stews are a favorite. However, traditional Irish stew is made with lamb. Or some people prefer a Farmhouse Beef Stew.
Coddle is a stew made with sausage, rashers, potatoes and onions. Although a favorite Dublin dish, it's an unlikely holiday menu item.
In Ireland stew is seldom considered to celebrate Saint Paddy's Day. Just like with bacon and cabbage, stews are considered to be everyday or work day dinners. I think anyone who grew up in Ireland like I did in the 1970's and 80's was raised on stew.
But I believe a good stew is the perfect choice for the day, especially if the weather is cold.
Dessert
Trifle is the go-to dessert for Saint Patrick's Day dinner in Ireland.
Made with layers of sponge soaked in sherry, fruit and custard, then all topped with cream, trifle is one of Ireland's favorite special occasion desserts.
When I was growing up my mother would save one of our Christmas Puddings and serve it on Saint Patrick's Day. It would have matured for about six months and believe me, it was delicious.
And there you have it - a quick look at what the Irish eat on their patron saint's day.
Happy cooking for Saint Patrick's Day.
And don't worry, we've nothing against green beer, and food in forty shades of green, in this corner of the world wide web.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Crafts
- Homemade Plaid Shamrock Decoration for Saint Patrick's Day
- Wine Cork Shamrock Craft for Saint Patrick's Day
- DIY Shamrock Pop-up Card for Saint Patrick's Day Greetings
- Paper Strip Shamrock Mobile Craft with Printable Tutorial
Irish Soups And Stews
- Easy Cauliflower Leek Irish Soup Recipe
- Homemade Vegan Vegetable Stock Cubes
- How To Make Irish Style Cream of Celery Soup
- Beef and Ale Stew
Mary
Thank you for that run down of typical Saint Patrick’s Day goodness! I’ve had an Irish breakfast served by our Irish bed n breakfast hosts while in Ireland. The food was scrumptious! Happy Paddy’s Day to you and yours! Blessings, Mary
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - Nice to hear you have enjoyed a good Irish breakfast or fry when you visited the Emerald Isle. It is a good hearty way to start the day. Thanks for stopping by to check out what the Irish eat to celebrate on Saint Patrick's Day.
All the best,
Mairéad
richard schmidt
jaysus are there no vegetarians in Ireland??? i'll starve
Irish American Mom
You'll have to take to the spuds, Richard.
But seriously, more and more people in Ireland are becoming vegetarians so most restaurants have some great choices.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kieran Mahon
Have a happy St.Patrick.S day not too much drink and Irish food have a good one
Irish American Mom
Hi Kieran - It'll be a far more low key day than usual, but probably a Saint Patrick's Day that will stand out in our memories in years to come.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
☘☘☘
ML
We can get black pudding at a restaurant here and it is absolute Heaven to Me. I wish I could find the skill and ingredients to make it myself, since it is 2021 and we have not dined at that particular restaurant in a year.
Irish American Mom
Hi ML - I love black and white pudding from Ireland. Black pudding has been called a superfood since it's full of nutrition. I bet you miss being able to visit your favorite Irish restaurant to order it. I wish I had a good recipe for making it. But being a blood sausage it's difficult enough to make. Happy Saint Patrick's Day and thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Lynn
Interesting to see what is really considered Irish fare to observe the day. We're vegetarians, so we eat a bit differently. 🙂 I must say, though, I could easily make a whole meal of that trifle. Yum! 🙂
Ellen Snowdon
Mairead, I enjoyed the choices you gave for dinner on St. Patrick's Day. I'm the granddaughter of 4 Irish immigrants, one who landed around 1885, so I'm not a youngster? My folks made sure there was no corned beef & cabbage for dinner & we knew why. The dinner oc choice was a roast turkey with all the trimmings! It was always a big family gathering!
However, later in the week there'd be a corned beef cooked because the sandwiches were delicious!
I always enjoy your articles. Keep them coming!
Ellen
Irish American Mom
Hi Ellen - Turkey dinner was a perfect choice for Saint Patrick's Day. My mom's Christmas pudding was always delicious. It was a lovely taste of the holidays for Saint Patrick's Day.
I'm delighted to hear you enjoy my blog posts. Thanks so much for stopping by to read my ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Hi Lynn - I love trifle too. It's one of my favorite desserts. I'm trying to cut down on how much meat we eat as a family, so recently I've been trying some new recipes.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joan
Mairead thank you for the foods that are eaten on ST. Patrick's Day.
HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY
Joan
Irish American Mom
Hi Joan - Thanks for checking out this round up of Irish foods for Saint Patrick' Day. There's lots to discuss and share in the next few weeks around this corner of the web, as we get closer to Saint Patrick's Day. Thanks as always for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Marion
Hi Mairead;
very interesting the choice of food for ST. Patrick's Day in Ireland. I have heard that cabbage and corn beef are not the food in Ireland on March 17th. Since I an allergic to eggs and salmon I would not being eaten much in Ireland.
Blessed Lent To You and Yours.
Marion
Irish American Mom
Hi Marion - Corned beef and cabbage is only served in America on Saint Patrick's Day. It's not an Irish dish, but our bacon and cabbage is the closest alternative. Sorry to hear about your food allergies, but it's good you know what you need to avoid.
We have had our pancakes in our house and we're all set for Ash Wednesday tomorrow. My kids are all giving up candy.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Marilyn
What a big breakfast . I could never finish all of that food. Isn't it funny how the myth of corned beef and cabbage started? I read that oatmeal is a big staple in Ireland. We do have oatmeal every other Friday. Have a Blessed Lent.
Marilyn
Irish American Mom
Hi Marilyn - An Irish fry is a feast for sure. We eat a fry for breakfast on Christmas morning also. Oatmeal is very popular in Ireland. When we have it for breakfast we call it porridge. I must write a post about Irish porridge for breakfast someday.
Blessings to you too for Lent.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
How interesting to hear that the Irish often order pizza for St. Patrick's Day! Never would have guessed that! 😉 Also, my love for bacon must go back to my Irish roots! I don't indulge often but when I do, now I'll have a good reason! 🙂
Irish American Mom
We Irish sure do love our bacon. I think your love of bacon, Cheryl, could definitely be linked to your Irish roots.
Thanks so much for checking out this review of what the Irish love to eat for Saint Patrick's Day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Victoria
Thank you for this interesting and informative article. I love cooking and trying new dishes-- especially from other countries--so I'll be referring to your recipe links for my next menu.
I have a couple questions. First, how do you pronounce your name? Second, how did your mom save a trifle for so long without it going bad? Did she freeze it?
Thanks!
Irish American Mom
Hi Victoria - First let me introduce you to my Irish name. Mairéad is Irish for Margaret. It is pronounced as if it rhymes with parade.
Many Irish people serve trifle on Saint Patrick's Day, but my mother served a Christmas or plum pudding instead, so she did not save a trifle. Christmas puddings are made with raisins, currants and other dried fruits, breadcrumbs, porter and whiskey. They are made about six weeks before Christmas and stored wrapped up in airtight containers. They are the traditional dessert for Christmas Day dinner. They will keep for up to six months without freezing because they are preserved by the alcohol they contain. However, the actual alcohol cooks off when the pudding is steamed, so it is alright for younger people to eat these puddings. The flavor matures with time. Here is a link for my plum pudding recipe so you can see what it looks like...
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/irish-american-moms-christmas-pudding/
Thanks so much for stopping by to check out this article.
All the best,
Mairéad
John
As an irish man I'm delighted to see someone dispelling the myth of corned beef and cabbage being the dish of choice on St Patrick's Day. Continue the good work.
Irish American Mom
Hi John - I'm so glad you agreed with this article. Corned beef and cabbage is definitely not the meal of choice in Ireland for Saint Patrick's Day. When I was growing up we always had a leg of lamb for this special day. Unfortunately good lamb is hard to find in the USA so a different joint roast is what I choose, usually a nice eye of the round roast beef.
Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my blog.
All the best,
Mairéad
Penny Wolf
Love this article! I think most Americans could go for pizza on just about any holiday. How about grouping the pepperoni in small groups of 3 or 4 posing as clover.
I make a shepard's pie using venison, I wonder if that would be called? Hunter's Pie?
Thank you as always for sharing.
Irish American Mom
Hi Penny - Your Hunter's pie sounds delicious. A great dish to celebrate Saint Patrick. I'm sure he ate plenty venison in 5th century Ireland. I love your idea for arranging pepperoni as shamrocks on a pizza for this special day.
Thanks so much for checking out this post.
All the best,
Mairéad
Andrea Charles
I have heard and read a lot about Saint Patrick's Day goodies, but this is the first time I am learning about the food. I'd love to try the traditional Irish breakfast someday. The smoked salmon and scrambled eggs will be my choice of breakfast and I'd love to taste the cottage pie.
Irish American Mom
Hi Andrea - A traditional Irish breakfast is a great way to start the day. Many tourists to Ireland find this breakfast is so filling that they can often skip lunch. I hope you get to try it someday, as well as the cottage pie. Thanks so much for checking out this round up of Irish food for Saint Patrick's Day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Shaun Edmonds
So happy to see someone finally dispel the myth that the Irish dress up like leprechauns and drink green beer with their bacon and potatoes on Paddy's day! Americans celebrate St.Patrick's Day, we didn't quite do it the same way. Watch the Parade on tv, eat whatever was available, shoulder of lamb or chops normally, get suited and booted then out on the lash, pints of Smithwick's or Murphy's (Cork) with vodka and orange chasers, then a feed on the way home from the chippy, normally a battered sausage, potato cake and chips!
Sláinte
Irish American Mom
Hi Shaun - Thanks for checking out my piece that dispels the myth about corned beef and cabbage being an Irish meal. When I was young Paddy's Day was far more subdued than it is in Ireland today. It was very much a religious holiday, and I even remember when the pubs were closed on this holy day - I'm aging myself now. Thanks for stopping by to join in our discussion about Irish food on Paddy's Day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deirdre Conran
I never had corned beef and cabbage until I was an adult. And lamb in the US can't compare to irish lamb. The closest thing available near me is New Zealand lamb. I am fortunate though to live 3 hours away from Chicago where there is a wonderful Irish Grocers called Winston's. They make their own proper irish sausages,black and white pudding and other assortef rolls. They also carry a plethora of Irish food. They even make delicious soda breads. I always spend a small fortune when I visit. I believe they do ship as well. And for the record, my mother made the best cabbage and trifle all the time. My eldest daughter always asks me to make grandma's cabbage and I'm always happy to oblige.
Irish American Mom
Hi Deirdre - Irish lamb is the best in the world. I know many people swear that New Zealand lamb is best, but I believe the mountain diet of Irish sheep makes our lamb taste exceptional.
Lovely to hear you are not too far from Chicago and that you can visit the Irish store there every now and then. It's okay to splurge from time to time to treat yourself to a taste of home.
My daughter is a big fan of cabbage too. She loves a good stew as well. Trifle is a recipe I need to share someday soon.
Thanks for stopping by.
Take care,
Mairéad