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30 Crowd-Pleasing St Patrick’s Day Dinner Ideas Everyone Loves

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Introduction

St Patrick’s Day dinners are all about comfort, big flavors, and plates that make people smile. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a cozy meal with an Irish feel, the best dishes are simple, filling, and easy to serve family-style.
Below are 30 dinner ideas that work for weeknights, parties, and everything in between—classic Irish favorites plus a few fun twists that still feel right for the holiday.

1. Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage

A traditional centerpiece that’s easy to slice and serve.

Ingredients

  • Corned beef brisket: 3 lb (1.4 kg)
  • Water: enough to cover
  • Cabbage: 1 head, quartered
  • Carrots: 4, sliced
  • Potatoes: 1½ lb (680 g), halved

Instructions

  1. Place brisket in pot, cover with water. Simmer 2½–3 hours.
  2. Add carrots and potatoes for last 30 minutes.
  3. Add cabbage for last 15–20 minutes.
  4. Rest 10 minutes, slice against the grain.

How to Serve It
Serve with mustard and buttered potatoes.

2. Slow Cooker Corned Beef Dinner

Hands-off cooking that frees you up for everything else.

Ingredients

  • Corned beef brisket: 3 lb (1.4 kg)
  • Beef broth: 2 cups
  • Potatoes: 1½ lb (680 g), chunked
  • Carrots: 3, sliced
  • Cabbage: ½ head, wedges

Instructions

  1. Add brisket and broth to slow cooker. Cook low 8–9 hours.
  2. Add potatoes and carrots for last 2 hours.
  3. Add cabbage for last 45 minutes.

How to Serve It
Slice brisket and ladle a little broth on top.

3. Irish Beef Stew

Rich, hearty, and perfect for cold evenings.

Ingredients

  • Beef chuck: 2 lb (900 g), cubed
  • Potatoes: 3 cups, chopped
  • Carrots: 2 cups, sliced
  • Onion: 1, chopped
  • Beef broth: 4 cups

Instructions

  1. Brown beef in a pot over medium heat.
  2. Add vegetables and broth.
  3. Simmer low 2–2½ hours until tender.

How to Serve It
Serve with soda bread for dipping.

4. Shepherd’s Pie

Comfort food that’s easy to portion for guests.

Ingredients

  • Ground lamb or beef: 1½ lb (680 g)
  • Onion: 1, chopped
  • Frozen peas: 1 cup
  • Beef broth: ½ cup
  • Mashed potatoes: 3½ cups

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook meat and onion until browned. Stir in peas and broth.
  3. Spread into dish, top with mashed potatoes.
  4. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

How to Serve It
Let stand 10 minutes before scooping.

5. Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy

A pub-style dinner that always goes fast.

Ingredients

  • Pork sausages: 8
  • Potatoes: 2½ lb (1.1 kg)
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Onions: 2, sliced
  • Beef broth: 1½ cups

Instructions

  1. Bake sausages at 400°F (205°C) for 20–25 minutes.
  2. Boil potatoes, mash with butter and milk.
  3. Cook onions until soft, add broth, simmer 8 minutes.

How to Serve It
Spoon gravy over everything and add peas on the side.

6. Irish Bacon and Cabbage

Salty, cozy, and very traditional.

Ingredients

  • Bacon joint: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 1 head, wedges
  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)

Instructions

  1. Simmer bacon in water 1½ hours.
  2. Add cabbage for last 20 minutes.
  3. Serve with boiled potatoes.

How to Serve It
Add a little melted butter over cabbage.

7. Guinness Beef Pot Pie

Flaky crust and rich filling make it party-friendly.

Ingredients

  • Beef stew meat: 1½ lb (680 g)
  • Onion: 1, chopped
  • Carrots: 1 cup
  • Guinness: 1 cup
  • Beef broth: 2 cups
  • Pie crust: 2 sheets

Instructions

  1. Simmer beef, onion, carrots, Guinness, and broth 1½–2 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
  3. Fill pie dishes, top with crust.
  4. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

How to Serve It
Serve with a simple green salad.

8. Reuben Sliders

Perfect for a crowd and easy to grab.

Ingredients

  • Slider buns: 12
  • Corned beef: 1 lb (450 g), sliced
  • Swiss cheese: 6 slices
  • Sauerkraut: 1 cup, drained
  • Butter: 3 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Layer buns with corned beef, cheese, sauerkraut.
  3. Brush tops with melted butter.
  4. Bake 12–15 minutes.

How to Serve It
Serve with pickles and extra mustard.

9. Corned Beef Hash Skillet

Great for dinner, especially with eggs on top.

Ingredients

  • Cooked corned beef: 2 cups, diced
  • Potatoes: 3 cups, diced
  • Onion: 1, chopped
  • Butter: 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
  2. Cook potatoes and onion 10–12 minutes until golden.
  3. Stir in corned beef and cook 5 minutes more.

How to Serve It
Top with fried eggs and chopped chives.

10. Irish Chicken and Leek Pie

Creamy filling and crisp crust win every time.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breast: 1½ lb (680 g), diced
  • Leeks: 2, sliced
  • Butter: 3 tbsp
  • Flour: 3 tbsp
  • Chicken broth: 1½ cups
  • Pie crust: 2 sheets

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook chicken and leeks in butter until tender.
  3. Stir in flour, then broth to thicken.
  4. Fill crust and bake 35–40 minutes.

How to Serve It
Serve with peas or roasted carrots.

11. Colcannon with Sausage

A cozy mash dinner that feels special.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 2 cups, chopped
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Sausages: 6

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes, mash with butter and milk.
  2. Cook cabbage until soft, fold into mash.
  3. Pan-cook sausages until browned.

How to Serve It
Add extra butter on top.

12. Irish Soda Bread Dinner Board

Low-stress hosting with a big payoff.

Ingredients

  • Irish soda bread: 1 loaf
  • Corned beef slices: 8 oz (225 g)
  • Cheddar: 8 oz (225 g)
  • Pickles: 1 cup
  • Butter: 4 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Slice bread and arrange on a board.
  2. Add meats, cheese, pickles, and butter.
  3. Serve at room temperature.

How to Serve It
Add mustard and a simple salad.

13. Dublin Coddle

A one-pot dinner with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Sausages: 8
  • Potatoes: 3 cups, sliced
  • Onions: 2, sliced
  • Chicken broth: 3 cups

Instructions

  1. Layer potatoes, onions, and sausages in pot.
  2. Add broth and simmer 1½ hours on low.

How to Serve It
Serve hot with bread.

14. Creamy Leek and Potato Soup

Smooth, cozy, and great as a starter.

Ingredients

  • Leeks: 2, sliced
  • Potatoes: 3 cups, diced
  • Butter: 3 tbsp
  • Chicken broth: 5 cups
  • Milk: 1 cup

Instructions

  1. Cook leeks in butter 6 minutes.
  2. Add potatoes and broth, simmer 25 minutes.
  3. Blend smooth, stir in milk, warm gently.

How to Serve It
Top with chives and black pepper.

15. Irish Fish Pie

Comforting, creamy, and easy to bake for a group.

Ingredients

  • White fish: 1½ lb (680 g)
  • Frozen peas: 1 cup
  • Butter: 3 tbsp
  • Flour: 3 tbsp
  • Milk: 2 cups
  • Mashed potatoes: 3½ cups

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Make a quick sauce: butter + flour, then whisk in milk.
  3. Stir in fish and peas, pour into dish.
  4. Top with potatoes and bake 30 minutes.

How to Serve It
Serve with lemon wedges.

16. Corned Beef Pasta Bake

A fun twist that’s easy to scoop and serve.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 12 oz (340 g)
  • Corned beef: 2 cups, chopped
  • Cheese: 2 cups, shredded
  • Cream: 1 cup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta, mix with beef, cream, and cheese.
  3. Bake 20 minutes until bubbly.

How to Serve It
Add a side salad.

17. Beef and Barley Soup

Filling and perfect for make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

  • Beef stew meat: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Barley: ¾ cup
  • Carrots: 1 cup
  • Beef broth: 8 cups

Instructions

  1. Simmer beef in broth 60 minutes.
  2. Add barley and carrots, simmer 35–40 minutes.

How to Serve It
Serve with buttered soda bread.

18. St Patrick’s Day Meatballs with Mustard Dip

Great for parties and easy to keep warm.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: 1½ lb (680 g)
  • Breadcrumbs: ½ cup
  • Egg: 1
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Mustard: ½ cup (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
  2. Mix meatball ingredients, roll into balls.
  3. Bake 15–18 minutes until cooked through.

How to Serve It
Serve with mustard dip and toothpicks.

19. Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Sausage

Simple sheet-pan dinner with big flavor.

Ingredients

  • Cabbage: 1 large head
  • Sausages: 6
  • Olive oil: 3 tbsp
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Black pepper: ½ tsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Slice cabbage into thick rounds, brush with oil and season.
  3. Add sausages to pan.
  4. Roast 25 minutes, flipping cabbage once.

How to Serve It
Add mustard on the side.

20. Guinness Chili

A crowd-pleaser that’s easy to keep simmering.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Kidney beans: 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each), drained
  • Crushed tomatoes: 1 can (28 oz / 800 g)
  • Guinness: 1 cup
  • Chili powder: 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Brown beef in a pot.
  2. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Simmer 45 minutes on low.

How to Serve It
Top with shredded cheese and scallions.

21. Irish Beef and Guinness Stew (Thicker Style)

Deep flavor with a thick, cozy gravy.

Ingredients

  • Beef chuck: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Onion: 1
  • Carrots: 2
  • Guinness: 1½ cups
  • Beef broth: 2 cups
  • Flour: 3 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Toss beef with flour, brown in pot.
  2. Add veg, Guinness, and broth.
  3. Simmer 2 hours on low.

How to Serve It
Serve with mashed potatoes.

22. Irish Pub-Style Chicken Tenders and Chips

Kid-friendly and always popular.

Ingredients

  • Chicken tenders: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Flour: 1 cup
  • Eggs: 2
  • Breadcrumbs: 2 cups
  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g), cut into fries
  • Oil: 2 tbsp (for baking fries)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Bread chicken: flour, eggs, breadcrumbs.
  3. Bake tenders 18–20 minutes.
  4. Toss fries with oil and bake 30–35 minutes, flipping once.

How to Serve It
Serve with ketchup and a mustard dip.

23. Corned Beef Quesadillas

Fast, crispy, and great for casual dinners.

Ingredients

  • Tortillas: 4 large
  • Corned beef: 1½ cups, chopped
  • Cheese: 2 cups, shredded
  • Butter: 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Heat skillet over medium.
  2. Fill tortilla with beef and cheese, fold.
  3. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until crisp.

How to Serve It
Serve with salsa or mustard.

24. Creamy Spinach and Potato Gratin

A great side that can also be dinner with salad.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g), thinly sliced
  • Cream: 1½ cups
  • Spinach: 3 cups
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Salt: 1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Layer potatoes and spinach in dish.
  3. Pour cream mixed with garlic and salt.
  4. Bake 55–65 minutes until tender.

How to Serve It
Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

25. Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a crowd.

Ingredients

  • Elbow macaroni: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Flour: ¼ cup
  • Milk: 3 cups
  • Irish cheddar: 3 cups, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta.
  3. Make sauce: butter + flour, whisk in milk, add cheese.
  4. Mix with pasta and bake 20 minutes.

How to Serve It
Top with chopped parsley.

26. Pan-Seared Salmon with Herb Butter

A lighter dinner that still feels special.

Ingredients

  • Salmon fillets: 4 (6 oz / 170 g each)
  • Butter: 3 tbsp
  • Parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Black pepper: ½ tsp

Instructions

  1. Heat skillet over medium-high.
  2. Season salmon, sear 4 minutes skin-side down.
  3. Flip, cook 3 minutes more.
  4. Melt butter with parsley and spoon over fish.

How to Serve It
Serve with roasted potatoes.

27. Roast Chicken with Cabbage and Potatoes

One-pan dinner that feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

  • Whole chicken: 4–5 lb (1.8–2.3 kg)
  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g), chunked
  • Cabbage: ½ head, wedges
  • Olive oil: 3 tbsp
  • Salt: 2 tsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Toss veg with oil and salt around chicken.
  3. Roast 60–75 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  4. Rest 10 minutes before carving.

How to Serve It
Serve with pan juices.

28. Steak and Mushroom Onion Gravy

A hearty dinner that feels like a pub favorite.

Ingredients

  • Sirloin steaks: 4 (6 oz / 170 g each)
  • Mushrooms: 2 cups, sliced
  • Onion: 1, sliced
  • Butter: 2 tbsp
  • Beef broth: 1 cup

Instructions

  1. Cook steaks to preference, rest.
  2. Sauté onion and mushrooms in butter.
  3. Add broth, simmer 6–8 minutes.
  4. Spoon gravy over sliced steak.

How to Serve It
Serve with mash or fries.

29. Irish Vegetable and Lentil Stew

A meatless option that still feels hearty.

Ingredients

  • Brown lentils: 1½ cups
  • Carrots: 1½ cups, diced
  • Potatoes: 2 cups, diced
  • Vegetable broth: 6 cups
  • Onion: 1, chopped

Instructions

  1. Simmer all ingredients 35–45 minutes until lentils are tender.
  2. Season to taste.

How to Serve It
Serve with soda bread.

30. Loaded Irish Nachos with Potatoes

Fun party dinner that disappears fast.

Ingredients

  • Frozen potato wedges: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Shredded cheese: 2 cups
  • Cooked bacon: ½ cup, chopped
  • Sour cream: ½ cup
  • Green onions: ¼ cup, sliced

Instructions

  1. Bake wedges at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 minutes.
  2. Top with cheese and bacon, bake 5 minutes more.
  3. Add sour cream and green onions.

How to Serve It
Serve right away while hot.

Conclusion

These St Patrick’s Day dinner ideas are easy to cook, easy to serve, and perfect for sharing. Save this list for your holiday menu, pick a couple to mix and match, and enjoy a warm meal with people you love. If you try any of them, share your favorites so others can add them to their celebration too.

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