This Is the Traditional St. Patrick's Day Meal

Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Food Favorites

Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates history and heritage, and nothing surfaces both like a home-cooked traditional meal. The holiday is celebrated worldwide, with millions of non-Irish celebrants enjoying the hearty, comforting Irish foods, drinks, and desserts that typify the holiday in Ireland and abroad. If you’re looking to start your own St. Patrick’s Day tradition, there’s no better place to start than in the kitchen with your own take on corned beef and hash!

A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is held on March 17 to commemorate the death of Saint Patrick. Born in Britain while the island was under Roman rule, young Patrick was kidnapped at age 16 and taken to Ireland. He escaped, began studying Christianity, and eventually returned to Ireland to establish churches, schools, and monasteries around 432 AD.

In the 17th century, Ireland began celebrating Saint Patrick on March 17 with a religious feast. It was a good reason to celebrate, since the holiday falls in the middle of Lent; church leaders allowed meat and alcohol to be served to promote the day.

Irish immigrants continued to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day when they landed in the US, combining a new secular component to the holiday to honor their Irish heritage in the New World. Green became the symbol of both Ireland and the holiday worldwide after it was used to symbolize Irish independence during a 1789 rebellion.

Making the Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Meal

Irish cuisine isn’t actually based around corned and cured meats, despite the popularity of corned beef and hash.

The Cattle Acts: The British Cattle Acts of 1663 and 1667 lowered salt taxes in Ireland, which allowed Irish farmers to produce corned beef for the British Navy. Irish families didn’t actually eat corned beef; instead, they subsisted on a diet of salt pork or bacon.
Immigration: When Irish immigrants landed in America, they found American beef more affordable than pork, which led to beef replacing bacon in many traditional meals, including St. Patrick’s Day. Corned beef also signifies prosperity for many Irish families, a sign of success and security.

The Staples: Corned Beef Brisket

Similar to a Sunday roast, the now traditional Irish meal includes:

Corned beef brisket
Roast potatoes, carrots, and cabbage
Gravy
Butter

Serious connoisseurs cure their own beef (spoiler alert: we don’t), but you can still enjoy a wonderful meal with pre-cured meat. Give yourself plenty of time to let the meat soften and allow the fixings to absorb that hearty, rich taste!

What Irish People Actually Eat On St. Patrick’s Day

Instead of corned beef and hash, you’re more likely to find a few of these dishes on Irish plates on St. Patrick’s Day.

Irish Fry: Also known as the fried Irish breakfast, it includes bacon, fried tomatoes, blood sausage (black pudding), soda bread, and tea.
Irish Soda Bread: Made from whole wheat flour, buttermilk, and baking soda, brown soda bread is the more traditional fare.
Sunday Roast: No corned beef, but a roast served with potatoes, carrots, and peas - gravy is also a must.

Traditional Irish Desserts

No St. Patrick’s Day meal is complete without something sweet. Irish dessert foods are almost identical to most Anglo-Saxon options, including apple tart (that’s apple pie), butter whirl biscuits (buttery cookies topped with jam or buttercream), or Irish Cream Poke Cake. (This recipe can be made from a box mix for convenience!)

Start Your Traditions with Max’s Service

Max’s Service has helped Northern Michigan families create lasting memories and unforgettable dishes for generations. We’re proud to be Traverse City’s locally owned, locally loved appliance showroom and service center, keeping home life convenient and special. Shop our selection of top-notch home appliances in Downtown Traverse City or get in touch today!

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