27 St. Patrick's Day Recipes That Will Help You Build the Perfect Menu

colcannon shepherds pie
Photo: John Dolan

Deck yourself out in green and celebrate everything Irish with our absolute favorite St. Patrick's Day recipes for brunch and dinner. That might mean corned beef and cabbage, the standout dish stateside, or a lamb or beef stew—the entrées those in the Emerald Isle are most likely to eat on March 17.

Perhaps you'd prefer bangers and mash or a Guinness pie packed with beef? Create your St. Patrick's Day menu from our selection of appetizers and main courses (we included a few drinks, too!). Whatever you do, be sure to bake a loaf of soda bread for the table—and end the meal on a sweet note with one of our dessert recipes just right for the holiday.

01 of 27

Corned-Beef Egg Cups

corned-beef egg cups
Chris Simpson

For the cutest, most delicious start to St. Patrick's Day, make these five-ingredient egg cups that start with sandwich bread. They only take 10 minutes to put together and bake for just 20.

02 of 27

Irish Brown Soda Bread

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Aaron Dyer

We've tried quite a few soda bread recipes over the years. This version, made with sour cream and topped with rolled oats, ranks among the best.

03 of 27

Stout Shandy

stout shandy and dubliners delight
Kirsten Francis

Our refreshing twist on the usual beer-lemonade combination that is shandy starts with stout beer, such as Guinness, and adds grapefruit soda and a slice of citrus for garnish. It's an altogether different drink for toasting on St. Patrick's Day.

04 of 27

Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

instant pot corned beef with cabbage potatoes and carrots
Bryan Gardner

Quicker, easier, and (dare we say) more delicious than the original, this Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage just might become your go-to recipe.

05 of 27

Chocolate-Stout Cupcakes

chocolate stout cupcakes
Chelsea Cavanaugh

Who needs four-leaf clovers when you have these treats? Chocolate cupcakes, mixed with Guinness and topped with four-leaf clovers (heart-shaped almond candies, plus a sliver of sugared lime zest) fulfill their sweet promise: Take a bite and you'll feel supremely fortunate.

06 of 27

Potato and Leek Egg Bake

Potato-Leek Egg Bake
Johnny Miller

Serve this hearty dish with pork sausages for a St. Patrick's day brunch. It also makes a stellar vegetarian addition to a meaty menu.

07 of 27

Cucumber-Mint Buttermilk Soup

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Yuki Sugiura

Looking for an easy, elegant St. Patrick's Day starter? Serve this no-cook, make-ahead cold soup that offers a taste of early spring.

08 of 27

Irish Beef and Stout Stew

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This comforting stew is made festive by a pop of green peas and a generous glug of stout. Make a double batch and freeze for a rainy spring day.

09 of 27

Irish Soda Scones

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Raymond Hom

We've translated the flavors of Irish soda bread into irresistible drop scones chock-full of dried currants and caraway seeds. The best part? They're quick and easy enough to bake on a weekday morning.

10 of 27

Maple Irish Coffee

maple irish coffee
John Dolan

Whiskey-spiked coffee is a must for St. Patrick's Day. We like this version that's sweetened with maple syrup.

11 of 27

Stout-Braised Lamb

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Yuki Sugiura

The key to super flavorful lamb? Getting a nice sear on it before braising. Serve with store-bought tomato jam or fruit chutney alongside our Simple Watercress Salad and Roasted Root Vegetables and Leeks.

12 of 27

Bangers and Mash

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Martyna Szczesna

Why not serve this classic comfort food from across the pond on St. Patrick's Day? An umami-packed onion gravy rounds out the flavors of the juicy sausages and cheesy mashed potatoes.

13 of 27

Homemade Corned Beef with Vegetables

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A corned beef supper makes a glorious Irish feast. This one calls on turnips, potatoes, and carrots to round out the meal.

14 of 27

Treacle Brown Bread

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Martyna Szczesna

Molasses, hard cider, and wholemeal flour set this bakery-worthy yeast bread apart. Slather slices with good Irish butter and sprinkle with sea salt to really make it shine.

15 of 27

Irish Cream

irish cream
Mike Krautter

A truly decadent way to end your St. Patrick's Day meal, this cream liqueur takes just five minutes to make, but will be the topic of conversation for weeks to come. It layers an Irish whiskey base with delicious flavorings, including cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla.

16 of 27

Guinness Pie

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Martyna Szczesna

Dark stout deepens the flavor of the rich beef-and-vegetable stew filling in this special savory pie. It's topped with a flaky, golden Irish-cheddar crust.

17 of 27

Colcannon Shepherd's Pie

colcannon shepherds pie
John Dolan

Two Irish favorites come together in this hybrid comfort food. The mashed potato-and-cabbage dish known as colcannon tops a traditional shepherd's pie filling of ground lamb and plenty of peas and carrots.

18 of 27

Green Crudités with Green Goddess Dip

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Aaron Dyer

Add some green crunch to the table with a selection of lightly blanched asparagus, cauliflower, and snap peas as well as raw produce such as celery and sliced cucumbers. The green goddess dip features creamy avocado, buttermilk, and finely chopped herbs.

19 of 27

Chewy Irish-Coffee Blondies

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Here's everything you love about Irish coffee in one spectacular treat. Freshly ground coffee amps up an otherwise classic blondie batter, while whiskey adds extra oomph to the sugar glaze.

20 of 27

Irish Soda Bread Rolls

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Burcu Avsar

This traditional bread, studded with caraway seeds and raisins, makes a delicious St. Patrick's Day breakfast or a fine accompaniment to dinner. Our pre-portioned version makes sharing easy.

21 of 27

Irish Coffee Cupcakes

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What's better than coffee spiked with whiskey? Espresso-infused cupcakes topped with billowy, whiskey-kissed whipped-cream frosting. Bottoms up.

22 of 27

Traditional Irish Bacon, Cabbage, and Parsley Sauce

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No, it's not the crispy, pan-fried strips you're used to, but one bite of this porky dinner will have you hooked.

23 of 27

Irish Beef Hand Pies

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Beef, be it corned, stewed, or roasted, is an Irish menu mainstay. These hand pies give it a playful, portable and altogether delicious twist.

24 of 27

Stout Eggnog

glass of guinness beer
Bryan Gardner

Eggnog isn't just for Christmas. Serve this stout version with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings as a St. Patrick's Day party treat.

25 of 27

Colcannon

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Col-whatton? This traditional side marries mashed potatoes with fall-apart-tender cabbage and leeks. Prepare to battle it out for the broiled, buttery crust.

26 of 27

Cheddar-Topped Shepherd's Pie

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You don't need your own flock to appreciate this traditional pub favorite. Even better: Both the filling and the topping can be made ahead. Use ground lamb to make it a true shepherd's pie; using beef turns it into a cottage pie.

27 of 27

Sugar Cookies with Clovers

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For a St. Patrick's Day-themed treat, sprinkle a little luck on your sugar cookies.

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