Irish-Inspired Dishes for a Gourmet St. Patrick’s Day Feast

St. Patrick’s Day is more than just green beer and shamrocks! It’s the perfect time to celebrate Ireland’s rich culinary heritage with a gourmet twist! Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner this weekend or just looking for a reason to enjoy comforting, hearty dishes, these Irish-inspired recipes will make your celebration deliciously memorable.

From a decadent Guinness-infused main course to a simple yet heavenly dessert, these dishes will have everyone raising a glass (or a fork) in true Irish fashion!

Irish Soda Bread with Honey Butter
No St. Paddy’s Day feast is complete without a fresh-baked loaf of traditional Irish soda bread. This quick and easy bread requires no yeast, making it a foolproof way to bring a little bit of Ireland to your table. Pair it with homemade honey butter, and you’ll have the perfect start to your meal!

Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¾ cups buttermilk
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the buttermilk, stirring until the dough forms. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead for about 30 seconds. Shape into a round loaf, place on the baking sheet, and cut an "X" into the top. Brush with melted butter and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm with Honey Butter.

Honey Butter
½ cup softened butter
2 Tbsp honey

Mix thoroughly.

Guinness-Braised Short Ribs

Rich, tender, and packed with deep flavor, these Guinness-braised short ribs will be the star of your St. Patrick’s Day table! The slow-cooked meat falls off the bone, while the Guinness adds a touch of bitterness to balance the savory goodness.

4 pounds beef short ribs
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 bottle (12 oz) Guinness stout
2 cups beef broth
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.

In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots and garlic until softened. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.

Pour in Guinness and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Add thyme and bay leaves.

Return short ribs to the pot, cover, and braise in the oven for 2 ½ - 3 hours, until fork-tender.

Serve over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery colcannon.

Irish Colcannon (Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage & Leeks)

Colcannon is Ireland’s answer to mashed potatoes, with buttery cabbage and leeks folded in for extra flavor and texture. It’s the perfect side dish to soak up those Guinness-braised short ribs!

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & cubed
4 Tablespoons butter
1 cup leeks, finely chopped
2 cups green cabbage, shredded
½ cup whole milk or heavy cream
Salt & pepper to taste

Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and set aside.

In a pan, melt butter and sauté leeks and cabbage until soft (about 5 minutes). Mash potatoes and gradually mix in the cabbage-leek mixture, adding milk or cream until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with an extra pat of butter on top! For extra flavor, mix in crispy bacon bits or fresh chives!

Baileys Chocolate Mousse

End your feast on a sweet and boozy note with this silky-smooth Baileys chocolate mousse. It’s rich, indulgent and just the right amount of Irish!

6 oz dark chocolate, melted
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon espresso or strong coffee
2 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar

In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate, butter, and espresso over low heat or using a double boiler. Stir until smooth, then let cool slightly. Once slightly cooled, whisk in the egg yolks and Baileys Irish Cream until fully incorporated and silky smooth.

An Irish Blessing

"May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door."

In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with one tablespoon of sugar until stiff peaks form.

In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with the remaining one tablespoon of sugar until soft peaks form.

First, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture until just combined. Then, carefully fold in the whipped cream to maintain as much airiness as possible.

Spoon the mousse into serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set. Serve topped with extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings.