By: Jessie ShaferUpdated: 3/14/24
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Every year, this Irish holiday has us feeling festive. And we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a proper St. Patrick’s Day meal. This annual celebration signifies a bridge from winter into spring, conjuring comfort food cravings mixed with a yearning for fresh and lighter flavors. Mark the Irish holiday in your home by making one or more of these perfectly delicious and healthy St. Patrick’s Day recipes.
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You won’t need any luck to nourish your body with our wholesome twists on traditional St. Patrick’s Day recipes. Here you’ll find a range of St. Patrick’s Day meal ideas (all using real-food ingredients), such as:
- Dinner Recipes (classic stew, Shepherd’s pie, and more)
- Side Dishes (everyone loves a good potato dish!)
- Desserts (DIY Shamrock Shakes anyone?)
Though you won’t find beer-soaked corned beef, Irish coffee, Irish cream, or Baileysamong the list here. We’re sure you’ll find several St. Patrick’s Day recipesthat will bless your table with good health and great flavors.
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes:
Appetizers, Sides, and Drinks
Avocado Deviled Eggs with Bacon
Avocado replaces the typical mayo to make a creamy, delicious, and This fun play on “Green Eggs & Ham” is just the recipe to get your little leprechauns in the holiday mood. Don’t forget a playful green appetizer when you’re planning your St. Patrick’s Day meal this year. Avocado replaces the mayo in these light green-hued deviled eggs that will disappear faster than a pot o’ gold! Loved deviled eggs? Then you should also try this Deviled Egg recipe, featuring Greek yogurt and fresh herbs. filling for deviled eggs. These fanciful deviled eggs with bacon are sure to be a hit at any party as a fun play on “green eggs and ham.”
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Grain-Free | Nut-Free | Paleo | Whole30
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Green Garlic-Herb Oil
What could be more Irish than a perfect potato recipe? Well, one with a delicious green drizzle sauce makes it a wee bit more! Trust us when we say these Crispy Smashed Potatoes are one of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes – next level in every way. We describe them as somewhere between a baked potato and a really thick-cut potato chip, with tender insides and crispy edges.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Nut-Free | Vegetarian | Whole30
Cucumber Basil Moscow Mule (Low Sugar And Refreshing)
What better way to kick off your meal than with a refreshing drink? This low-sugar version of a classic co*cktail features refreshing ingredients like cucumber, basil, and fresh ginger. We provide a mocktail option too so everyone can stay quenched st. paddy’s day!
Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Grain-Free | Vegetarian | Dairy-Free | Vegan | Paleo
Garlic Roasted Root Vegetable Fries
Upgrade your average side of fries with this veggie-filled option! They’re crisp on the outside, tender in the center, and full of savory flavor. Pair them with your favorite sauce for dipping, and they’re sure to become the star of the show!
Whole30 | Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free | Grain-Free | Vegetarian | Dairy-Free | Vegan | Paleo
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
A slight twist on Irish potato dishes, these parmesan potatoes are buttery soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. They come together on a single baking dish in just over 35 minutes and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish with all your favorite festive recipes like slow cooker corned beef and Reuben sandwiches!
Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free | Grain-Free | Vegetarian
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are an easy side dish perfect for every occasion. Rich and creamy, they cook in the Instant Pot, leaving plenty of room in the oven and on the stovetop so you can finish your favorite cabbage recipe and brisket. We even provide options to add more flavor and create a velvety texture with the addition of sour cream, parmesan, or garlic! Mix and match your favorite ingredients for a side dish everyone will love.
Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free | Grain-Free | Vegetarian
The Best St. Patrick’s Day Recipes:
St. Patrick’s Day Meal Ideas
Instant Pot Vegetable Beef (or Lamb) Stew
Make the ultimate cozy-comfy meal by employing one pot (your Instant Pot) to make this hearty Irish stew that tastes like it has been slow-simmered for hours. Filled with veggies and tender hunks of beef or lamb, it’s nutritious and so appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t have an instant pot? No worries, we included slow cooker directions, too. Serve up our Garlic Cheddar Biscuits on the side.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Whole30
Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
A classic comfort casserole gets a fun twist and plant-based makeover with this full-flavor vegan version of cottage pie. In this perfect St. Patrick’s Day recipe, a thick and creamy lentil and veggie filling gets topped with delicious seasoned garlic-chive mashed potatoes and baked until warm and heavenly.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Vegetarian | Vegan
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
No St. Patrick’s Day recipe collection would be complete without a really good Shepherd’s Pie. Though the dish has English origins, the Irish version, called pióg an aoire, is said to fill your stomach and warm your soul. Our fresh take on tradition swaps in vitamin-rich sweet potatoes in the mash, plenty of veggies, and grass-fed beef hash or lamb.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Paleo | Whole30
Sheet Pan Kielbasa Cabbage and Potatoes
Two Irish staples (cabbage and potatoes) come together in this easy weeknight dinner that will have you feeling like you just found a four-leaf clover. Not only because you’ll be filled with those good comfort food feels, but also because you won’t have a pile of dishes waiting for you afterward. Serve it with a Guinness or Irish whiskey and good grainy mustard to really capture the spirit.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Paleo | Whole30
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
This hearty beef soup might be one of the easiest St. Patrick’s Day recipes you’ll ever make! Reminiscent of a Guinness Beef Stew, but lighter and easier. Simply toss the beef stew meat, root vegetables, diced tomatoes, broth, and seasonings in a slow cooker. Come back at dinnertime, ladle yourself a bowl, and enjoy it with a side of Irish soda bread or sourdough. Add a pint of Guinness to round out this St. Patrick’s Day meal.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Grain-Free | Paleo | Whole30
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Kielbasa and Vegetables
Keep things fresh and easy with your St. Patrick’s Day meal this year by serving this simple sheet pan dinner. Feature kielbasa sausages, pre-made gnocchi, and fresh vegetables like spinach and bell pepper, this St. Patrick’s Day recipe is well-rounded and delicious.
Gluten-Free | Grain-Free | Dairy-Free
Creamy Potato Leek Soup with Bacon
This savory soup is one of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day food ideas. Not exactly a traditional Irish recipe like colcannon or corned beef hash, this recipe is every bit as flavorful and hearty. Even better, it’s ready in under and hour and is reminiscent of creamy mashed potatoes without all the armwork needed to mash potatoes. Serve it warm with a side of brown bread for a dinner that will stick to your ribs.
Whole30 | Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free | Grain-Free | Dairy-Free | Paleo
St. Patrick’s Day Desserts
Mint Chocolate Shamrock Shake
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this tasty and refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake made with 100% real and nutritious whole foods! We much prefer this full-flavor dessert choice to something like brownies or cupcakes. Simply whirl up nutrient-dense spinach, avocado, banana, and mint into a creamy better-for-you Shamrock Shake recipe you’ll want to keep making year-round. Top it with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra touch of something sweet.
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Vegan
3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Mint Cups
Like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, these perfectly simple and satisfying dark chocolate mint cups are just the thing to end your festive St. Patrick’s Day meal. Made by enrobing mint-coconut butter in silky chocolate, these tasty treats will disappear as quickly as a leprechaun!
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Paleo | Vegan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the traditional food for St. Patrick’s Day?
The most popular meal to serve on St. Paddy’s Day is corned beef and cabbage. However, other popular foods include ground beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, Irish cheddar biscuits, boxty, and colcannon.
Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated to commemorate the death of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. The holiday was originally celebrated with religious feasts and services. However, it became a celebration of Irish culture when Irish immigrants brought the holiday to America.
What is the traditional main dish served at many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America?
As in Ireland, the most popular main course served on the holiday is Irish-American corned beef and cabbage accompanied by green beer.
What are some green food items?
Popular green foods consumed on St. Patrick’s Day are green beer, colcannon, cabbage, and shamrock shakes.
As they say in Ireland …
May your troubles be less and your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness come through your door.
And as we say here at The Real Food Dietitians …
May your food be delicious and your heart at ease.
Because health and happiness go together like carrots and peas!
Delicious and Healthy St. Patrick’s day Recipes
We hope you make and enjoy these perfect St. Patrick’s Day recipes. If you make a recipe, please leave a comment on the blog post, and tag us @TheRealFoodDietitians on social media.
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Jessie Shafer
Jessie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living near Denver, CO where she splits her time among nearby playgrounds, typing away at her trusty laptop, and heating up her home kitchen with delicious experiments. Her best taste tester is her husband, a Denver firefighter with a well-trained palate. A former magazine editor-in-chief, Jessie has a long career in food publishing and health writing. While she once played centerfield for the Northwestern University softball team, Jessie now prefers her fitness in the way of biking up mountain passes and chasing three little kiddos (the latter proving to be the more exhausting activity).
