Here’s What People In Ireland Really Eat On St. Patrick’s Day

While corned beef and cabbage may seem like standard fare for St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating the holiday in its birthplace would offer a markedly distinct culinary experience.

You’d find an array of traditionally enjoyed dishes ranging from lamb and beef stews, potatoes, carb-loaded breads, desserts, and pies both sweet and savory.

To honor authentic Irish culinary tradition for St. Patrick’s Day, try making a staple meal of bacon and cabbage — which is enjoyed year-round, not just on the holiday.

Canadian-style bacon has a long-standing presence in Irish cuisine, which some suggest morphed into the Americanized corned beef when Irish immigrants made their way to America.

Beef or lamb stew, a beef pot roast, or a shepherd’s pie topped with mashed potatoes are all traditional Irish meals that you could expect in homes and restaurants in Ireland.

Colcannon, a rich buttery concoction of mashed potatoes combined with ribbons of cabbage, is another mainstay. For dessert, chocolate pie or apple tarts are common.

So are crumbly rustic loaves of soda bread made with buttermilk or biscuity scones. As for the libations, many Irish people celebrate with pints of Guinness or glasses of Jameson.

It’s important to note that St. Patrick’s Day celebrations vary widely among Irish individuals, with some enjoying typical meals or takeout instead of culturally significant foods.