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If you are a long time reader you know I LOVE St. Patrick’s Day. Growing up in my Irish American family, we always had beef stew on St. Patrick’s Day. I didn’t even make corned beef and cabbage for the first time until I was well into adulthood. And to be honest, the traditional method of cooking leaves something to be desired. Boiled cabbage is not the best.
Over the years I’ve developed my own St. Patrick’s Day traditions in the kitchen – a big pot of Guinness beef stew simmering away, cabbage sautéed with butter and garlic until it’s golden and sweet, fresh brown bread for dunking, and at least one Irish whiskey cocktail to sip while everything cooks. These are the recipes I come back to every single year when I want a St. Patrick’s Day dinner that feels cozy, special, and totally doable on a weeknight.
You’ll find slow-simmered stews, one-pan dinners, quick breads, and cocktails that sometimes go down a little too easily. So grab your Dutch oven, pour yourself an Irish Mule, and let’s make a St. Patrick’s Day dinner worth repeating.
1. Irish Guinness Beef Stew
This is the beef stew I grew up eating on St. Patrick’s Day, and it is still one of my favorite recipes. The Guinness makes the broth rich and deeply flavorful, and the beef gets so tender after a few hours in the oven. Serve with some Irish Guinness Brown Bread and maybe even enjoy an Irish Mule or two for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day!
2. Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
Making a good stew can take a few hours in the oven, and that isn’t always a possibility on a weeknight. That is why I developed this Guinness beef stew for the crock pot. There are a few extra steps at the beginning to develop flavor, but once you get everything in the crock pot, it is hands off! After cooking all day you’ll have fall apart tender beef, potatoes and carrots with a rich Guinness broth.
3. Easy Sauteed Cabbage
Boiled cabbage is… not the best. The first time I had cabbage cooked this way my mind was blown. If you think you don’t like cabbage, you need to try it cooked this way! I sauté the cabbage with butter, caramelized onions and garlic until it gets sweet and golden. It’s a quick and healthy side dish that is perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day!
4. Easy Sausage and Cabbage Skillet
This is a great one pot meal for busy weeknights – plus it is cabbage heavy so this is a great option for a weeknight St. Patricks Day dinner when you don’t have much time. I love this Sausage and Cabbage Skillet because it is quick, easy and healthy. Crumbled sausage, onions and a bagged slaw mix cook down into a hearty one-pan dinner that is Low Carb, Gluten Free, Whole 30 and Paleo. It’s on the table in about 25 minutes with minimal prep and easy cleanup!
5. Irish Guinness Brown Bread
This Irish Guinness Brown Bread is a quick bread that just needs to be stirred together and baked! No yeast, no kneading – just mix and bake while your stew simmers. The hearty oats, whole wheat flour and Guinness give it a deep, nutty flavor that is perfect for serving alongside stew.
6. The Irish Mule
This is my go-to St. Patrick’s Day cocktail. You can really never go wrong with Irish whiskey, especially when mixed with ginger beer and lime juice. It may not be a very traditionally Irish drink, but it is refreshing and tastes pretty great!
7. Irish Maid Cocktail
The Irish Maid is a floral and refreshing whiskey cocktail with cucumber, lemon juice and St. Germain. This is a great cocktail for people who are not regular whiskey drinkers. It goes down VERY easily, so beware!
8. Best Irish Coffee Recipe
No St. Patrick’s Day dinner is complete without an Irish Coffee to finish it off! This **Best Irish Coffee Recipe** has just 4 simple ingredients, but a few small details – like using a smaller glass to keep the flavors balanced and letting the cream float on top – make all the difference. It’s the perfect cozy after-dinner drink to sip while you’re still gathered around the table.
Looking for more? Find ALL of the St. Patrick’s Day Recipes on my site HERE.
