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When you think about traditional Irish food, the first thing that probably comes to mind is corned beef and cabbage. But it turns out corned beef is not among the Emerald Isle's national dishes, says David McKane, the executive chef of Kilkea Castle in county Kildare.
"The connection with St. Patrick's Day specifically originates as part of Irish-American culture, and is often part of celebrations in North America," he says. This might lead you to wonder then: What do people who live in Ireland eat on March 17?
As culinary historian Regina Sexton told Irish Times, defining "Irish cuisine" can be a difficult endeavor. "We don’t seem to have a culture of food that is based around cooking, the enjoyment of food and the production of signature dishes that are automatically associated with the country, and therein lies the problem of trying to define an Irish food culture," she said. Rather, it's more about the high quality of ingredients such as meats, potatoes, and cabbages.
The coastal region of Galway, for example, is known for cinnamon-coated Irish potato candy that complements a heavy stew, as well as berry fool (a sweet, airy custard) and excellent oysters. Galway even hosts an international oyster and seafood festival, the oldest oyster festival in the world.
Still, there are plenty of distinctly Irish recipes that have long been staples of the culture—from soda bread to a seriously tasty trifle. Whether you're looking to celebrate your heritage or host a super authentic St. Patrick's Day party, we asked Irish chefs to share all the traditional foods and snacks to know. We hope you enjoy potatoes in their many forms.
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 to The 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.
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4
Irish Coffee
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 to The 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 of Chestnut and Corner Kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina.
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7
Crubeens
Also known as pigs feet, crubeens are generally fried and eaten by hand, though they can also be braised, says Scully.
8
Irish Seafood Chowder
Like Irish stew, Irish seafood chowder is a very adaptable dish that contains a variety of seafood like salmon, trout, and shellfish, as well as vegetables like celery and potatoes, says Scully.
9
Boxty
Similar to a latke, Irish boxty is a potato pancake you make by mixing grated potatoes into mashed potatoes before frying like a patty, says Scully. Though some consider it to be among the stranger Irish dishes, it's actually a very versatile side.
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10
Cured Salmon
Ireland is globally renowned for its smoked salmon, says McKane. It's served all day long and can be found everywhere from breakfast buffets, to Afternoon Tea, to dinner.
11
Dexter Beef
This type of beef is native to the island of Ireland, says McKane. It's regarded for its sweet and slightly nutty taste.
12
Cottage Pie
This everyday comfort food is essentially a way to disguise leftovers, says Scully. The layered casserole is simple: The previous night's stew is topped with mashed potatoes, then baked.
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13
Black Pudding
Black pudding—or blood sausage—is typically served at breakfast, but can be enjoyed throughout the day, says Scully.
14
Irish Breakfast
This classic is a real smorgasbord that generally includes fried rashers (thin slices of bacon), fried sausages, fried eggs, fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms, white and black pudding, baked beans, and toast, says Clodagh Lawless, an Irish American and co-owner of The Dearborn.
15
Trifle
This layered dessert traditionally contains custard, sherry- or fruit juice-soaked sponge cake or lady fingers, fruits, jam, and whipped cream, says Amy Lawless.
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16
Oysters
Ireland is primarily known for more earthy food options, but it's actually a haven of great mollusks, specifically on the coast of Galway.
“The oyster, not the potato, should be the symbol of Irish food," Bloomberg reported in 2018. That article describes the native "flat oysters" as "gamy." The difference between them and Pacific oysters is like "a double IPA compared with Bud Light."
17
Irish Potato Farls
Not dissimilar to boxty, farls are a kind of baked potato bread served for breakfast, per The Guardian. They're typically made by combining potatoes, butter, flour, and baking powder, with the dough being cut into four symmetrical pieces ("farl" means "fourths" in Gaelic).
Per Allrecipes.com, farls can even be made with leftover mashed potatoes, which work well because of their lightness.
18
Berry Fool
The berry fool is a delicious treat and a testament to Europe as a whole–while it's popular in England and Ireland, its name may come from the French verb "fouler," meaning "to crush," though that has been disputed. This feathery fruit dessert can be made with nearly any kind of berry, and involves mashing them and combining them with chilled heavy cream for a refreshing dish.
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19
Barmbrack
This Irish sweet bread is typically associated with Halloween. Similar to the plastic baby that often comes in Mardi Gras king cakes, a ring is generally placed within the barmbrack and the person who finds it is said to have good luck.
20
Dublin Coddle
An effective comfort meal, Irish coddle combines sausage (and sometimes bacon) with potatoes and gravy. The whole thing is then slow-cooked, giving it a consistency similar to Irish stew. It's a perfect, hearty winter dinner.
As noted by Mairead of IrishAmericanMom.com, it's important to try and use Irish pork sausage, which has a more subtle flavor than many other variants.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.