12 Authentic Irish Recipes for Families
Irish recipes are an easy option for a delicious family meal any time of year but are especially wonderful for a St. Patrick's Day dinner. After spending a week in Ireland, I'm sharing the best make-at-home versions of Irish classics for you to enjoy.
Spending 7 days in Ireland with my daughter for her band trip was a dream come true. As a food blogger, I couldn't help but study up on all the best foods to eat in Ireland during our visit so that I could recreate them at home.
I've been working on these recipes for the last two years and wanted to finally pull them together in one easy list for you. Maybe you want to enjoy a taste of Ireland ahead of your adventure or maybe you've just returned and want to relive the memories.
Many of these dishes have found their way into our family's year-round meal plans. They are delicious and easy, I hope you love them as much as we do.
P.S. If you're looking for fun and festive dishes to serve your family that are more Irish-American and playful, you'll love my list of easy St. Patrick's Day dinners for kids who don't like corned beef. It features more "inspired-by" Ireland dishes like puff pastry reuben roll-ups and Irish nachos that you wouldn't actually find in Ireland.
Irish Oatmeal
Made with a box of McCann's Irish Oats, this make-ahead Irish oatmeal is delicious with brown sugar, dried fruits, and nuts. You'll find it served in big vats in the breakfast buffet at hotels in Ireland.
Irish Soda Bread
While Irish brown bread is more traditional, I did love the Irish soda bread we had during our visit to Ireland. My homemade loaf can be made in the oven or in the bread machine, whichever you prefer.
Irish Potato Soup
My daughter's favorite food in Ireland was the house vegetable soup served at each restaurant. It is a mix of vegetables they have on hand and potatoes. My Irish potato soup was an attempt to recreate this favorite dish at home.
Irish Shortbread Cookies
Afternoon tea is especially cozy on a rainy afternoon in Limerick. By far, one of my most beloved memories from our trip was a Mother's Day tea with friends. These Irish shortbread cookies would be the perfect partner to a hot cup of tea.
Irish Scones and Clotted Cream
I had my first taste of clotted cream during the afternoon tea paired with a fruited scone. Here in the States, this is much harder to find so I made this easy mock clotted cream to go with my favorite blueberry scones. If you swap dried currants for the blueberries, it would be even closer to the original.
Irish Beef Pot Pie
I found beef pot pies on several Irish pub menus but they are often made with chunks of beef rather than ground beef. I love my Irish beef pot pie recipe because it combines beef with shredded cabbage in a rich, savory tomato sauce.
Shepherds Pie
Shepherds pie is another cozy pub classic you'll find all across Ireland. My version is made right in the crockpot so it is extra easy to prep for dinner.
Fish and Chips
With easy access to amazing fresh seafood, it's no wonder that Ireland is the home to delicious fish and chips. It is often served with a dish called "mushy peas," as well.
I far prefer a little cup of tartar sauce over the malt vinegar that is popular in Ireland.
Fried Cabbage
The vegetables on most Irish menus are quite simple. This fried cabbage with caraway seeds would pair really well with pork, beef, or fish.
Apple Pie
I was most surprised to discover that one of the classic Irish desserts is actually a simple apple pie. This would be nearly impossible to recreate here in the States without the Irish apples which give it a very unique flavor but my easy apple slab pie works in a pinch.
More Fun Themed Menus
I believe that family dinner is a fun opportunity to be a little playful. When you've got extra time on the weekend or want to slow things down on a weeknight, make your meal memorable by planning a fun menu with these easy tips:
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