According to Time, “Modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, at least in the United States, are likely to be characterized by commercial lucky charms and green beer—all of which has very little to do with the historical figure of the saint.” Ashley Ross, a journalist for Time, explains that the holiday began on March 17, 1631 when the Church established a feast honoring St. Patrick. Throughout the centuries, the holiday has evolved into parties, alcohol, and festive Irish foods. Here are some popular foods that you should try for this Irish holiday. 

First, Irish stew is a very popular Irish dish. Irish stew was originally a very common food in Ireland among the poor, as it used cheap ingredients. However, it is now a delicious dish eaten by people all around the world. Irish stew is an Irish-inspired beef stew, commonly made with garlic, Guinness, stock, red wine, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Naomi Peralta claims that “Irish stew is a tradition for her family on St. Patrick’s Day.”

Next, an extremely well-known recipe in Ireland is soda bread. A beautiful aspect of soda bread is that there are countless different ways to make it. Each family in Ireland probably has its own recipe for the classic dish. It can be made sweet with honey, sugar, or dried fruit. Soda bread can also be made with bran, outs, and seeds. Others choose to add treacle and Guinness. Whichever way you choose, soda bread will never disappoint. 

Another popular Irish dish is Shepherd’s pie. Shepherd’s pie is a classic dish that originated in Ireland. It is a comfort food enjoyed by many across the world. Shepherd’s pie consists of ground lamb or beef, cooked in gravy with onions and various vegetables, and topped with mashed potatoes. This dish is loved by people of many cultures and is definitely worth a try this St. Patrick’s Day.

A popular Irish dessert is Porter cake. Porter cake is made with dried fruit, hearty spices, and porter beer. Porter cake is a common dessert in Ireland; however, it is very different from typical American cuisine. It would be worth it to give something new a try. 

Irish cuisine is unique to its country, different from foods anywhere else in the world. St. Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore something new and find something that you might love. I hope your holiday is full of laughter, family, friends, and fun times!