5 Hearty Irish Recipes To Wow Your Guests

Irish cooking has some of the most hearty and flavorful dishes that have ever existed. Born from generations of survival and grounded warmth, it was designed for all to enjoy. Irish cooking is a must try for any culture seeking foodie. Don’t know where to start on Ireland’s greatest hits? No problem! Here are 5 Irish recipes to wow your guests. 

This hearty meal is a must try when feeding your family or guests.

1. Corned Beef And Cabbage

This traditional staple has served families for generations. It provides a sense of tender meat coupled with hearty rustic cabbage and potatoes, making it perfect for a warm family dinner. This recipe is a personal family favorite that has been a tradition in my family for over a decade. Let’s get started. 

Ingredients 

• 1 corned beef brisket, around 3 to 4 pounds
• 1 white onion
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 ½ cups of water
• 2 pounds of potatoes, peeled and quartered 
• 1 small cabbage
• 2 carrots

Directions

Chop your onion into large chunks, placing them at the bottom of a slow cooker. Next, top with your corned beef and seasoning of your choice. I perfect salt, pepper and garlic powder. Pour your water in until it covers the corned beef. Add your garlic. Cook on low for around 8 to 10 hours. After the first three hours, add your potatoes and carrots. Wait until 2 hours before serving before you add your cabbage. Remove your corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for 15 minutes. Sever and enjoy.

 

This Irish staple is great for cold nights.

2. Dublin Coddle

If you’re craving the sweet array of soft onions and the bright aromatics of bacon with sausage, this recipe is a must try for you. This traditional one skillet treat is perfect for any get together or snacking occasion. And the best part, you can do this one camping! This dish is great over open fires or grills. But the stove is as good a place as any to make yourself a Dublin coddle. If you want to draw in your guest with the sweet hearty smell of sausage and potatoes, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients 

• 2 ½ pound golden potatoes
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 6 bratwurst sausages
• 12 ounces of bacon
• 1 can chicken broth
• 2 dashes apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of beer 
• 1 bunch parsley, minced

Directions 

Turn your stove on medium high heat. Lightly oil a large skillet. Layer your potatoes in a single layer on the bottom of your pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next, cook your bacon in a separate skillet until crispy. Lightly brown your sausages as well and set to the side. Save at least 3 tbsp of your bacon fat. Next, add your onions to the hot skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until soft and golden. Next, add in your chicken broth, vinegar, salt and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil and remove from heat. Then, carefully pour over your potatoes. Top your skillet off with onions, crumbled bacon and parsley. Place over hot coals. Cook for one hour and turn clockwise. Make sure you turn it every 15 to 20 minutes. If you do not have hot coals handy, simply do this with your stove. After an hour has passed, add your beer to the pot. Cook until the sausages are golden brown and beer has reduced. This should take around 45 to 60 minutes. Continue to turn the pot. Remove from heat and garnish. Let cool. Serve and enjoy. 

These potatoes are the epitome of Irish comfort.

3. Colcannon

To those who are not familiar with the colcannon I’ll explain. This decadent starchy delight is a glorified Irish version of mashed potatoes. It’s common for people to add veggies to this dish, giving it’s green texture, such as kale or other leafy greens. In addition, it can be served with bacon crumbles and scallions. If you crave beautiful fluffy potatoes unlike you’ve ever had before, this is a dish you are not going to want to miss. 

Ingredients 

• 3 ½ pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup half and half
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
•  1 pinch garlic powder

Directions 

Take your potatoes and place in a large pot over medium high heat. Be sure to salt your water and make sure all your potatoes are thoroughly covered with water. Bring to a rolling boil then reduce to medium low heat. Let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Note, you can check to make sure potatoes are tender using a fork. If the potatoes are easy to poke, they are ready! Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Mash your potatoes with a large fork or spoon. Next, in a saucepan over medium high heat, melt your butter and add your half and half to it. Stir thoroughly until combined. This should take around 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in your butter mixture into your potatoes until they are creamy. Add your salt, pepper, and garlic. Make sure you do this one tablespoon at a time. This will allow for maximum fluffy goodness! Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for feeding family and friends.

4. Irish Soda Bread

If you want to make a truly traditional Irish spread, you must have your soda bread. This bread is great on it’s own with a rich flaky fluffy texture. But more importantly, this bread is renowned for its soaking ability when dipped in hearty stews or warm soups. If you want to turn heads at your next dinner, try this recipe. 

Ingredients 

• 1 ¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 4 ¼ cups flour
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 pinch baking soda
•  1 pinch salt
• 5 tbsp butter, cubed

Directions 

Preheat your oven to 400F. Take a baking dish and butter it or line with parchment paper. Whisk your buttermilk and egg together. In a separate bowl, combine your sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in the butter to your flour mixture. Combine your buttermilk and egg to your flour mixture thoroughly combining with your hands, gently folding it. Work the dough into a ball, kneading it for about 30 seconds. We want the dough to be warmed by the heat of our hands. That’s what makes it malleable here. Next, transfer your dough to your baking dish. With a sharp knife, score an x over the top of it. Bake until your bread is golden brown, around 45 minutes. If you want extra browning on top, place some foil over the top of the bread about halfway through baking. Remove heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe pairs perfectly with soda bread and cold nights.

5. Irish Stew

If you’re looking for something to chase away the cold, this hearty Irish stew is a must try for you. The sweet stew meat coupled with the rich veggies makes for a match made in heaven. Plus it’s a great dipping sauce for that soda bread! Here’s how to get started. 

Ingredients 

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 cup Irish stout beer
• 4 cups beef broth
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 pounds small yellow potatoes, halved
• 1 pinch dried thyme leaves
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

Directions 

Preheat your oven to 350F. In a large pot over medium high heat, heat your olive oil. Season your beef with salt and pepper. Add half off the beef cubes to your pot in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Make sure they are browned before repeating the process with the remaining meat. Next, add your onions to the pot and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until tender. Add your garlic in the last 30 seconds or so. Return your meat to the pot and add your flour, coating it completely. Then, add your Irish stout, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, carrots and potatoes to the pot. Stir and bring to a rolling simmer, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cover the pot and place in your oven for about 2 to 3 hours. Remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley. Serve and enjoy. 

 

Irish cooking is about family and heritage, bringing all those you care about together over a warm hearty meal. If you’re looking to make memories over some fond rich flavors, try these recipes out for your next dinner.