St. Patrick’s Day, known to the Irish as an annual Christian feast celebrating the patron saint of Emerald Isle, has taken on many iterations in modern times. To folks in the U.S. and around the globe, who may or may not have Irish ancestry, March 17 is a time to party.
For those who enjoy the holiday at home, preparing a spread of St. Patrick’s Day recipes (including Irish desserts) is a must. Depending on how true to the holiday’s Irish roots one wants their menu to be, there are plenty of heartwarming Irish foods that will make folks feel like they’ve gone straight over the rainbow to the pot of gold.
Sure, you could go in the direction of classic corned beef and cabbage (which is a time-honored classic for a reason). But there are other traditional Irish foods to explore. To ensure that we’re providing the best Irish recipes to pay homage to the patron saint, TODAY Food turned to some of our favorite Irish chefs including Donal Skehan, Clodagh Mckenna and Catherine Fulvio.
Before you start cooking, check your fridge and pantry for a few key ingredients: russet potatoes, good quality Irish butter, beef stock, whiskey and more than a few bottles of Guinness. And while traditional stew recipes often call for an inexpensive cut of beef, if you want to save time, splurge on a more tender cut. They don’t take nearly as long to braise, delivering a comforting crock in half the time.
From sides like Irish champ and home-baked soda bread to pork chops with a luscious Irish whiskey-honey glaze and heaty stews, these authentic Irish foods will make St. Patrick's Day 2023 one to remember.