I have a soft spot for Irish side dishes that runs deep. Potatoes, cabbage, bacon, bread… those are the foods that make me want to pull up a chair and stay awhile. I've rounded up 19 traditional recipes that are cozy, hearty, and absolutely worth making, whether it's St. Patrick's Day or just a Tuesday when you need something comforting on the table.
1. Waterford Blaas
These rolls are a true Irish tradition, and if you've never experienced them, oh my goodness, you are missing out on something special. They're pillowy soft and deliciously floury on the outside. They taste wonderful with pretty much anything, but my favorite way to eat them is drenched in butter.
2. Irish Cheddar and Bacon Soda Bread
Remember that tender, crispy soda bread I was just talking about? Now picture that same loaf absolutely packed with bacon, scallions, and sharp cheddar cheese.
Yes. It's the kind of bread where you keep finding yourself wandering back to the kitchen for just one more slice. Almost impossible to stop.
3. Irish Brown Bread
Irish brown bread is like the darker, slightly moodier cousin of classic soda bread. You'll stir in a half cup of rolled oats and a little molasses, and that changes everything. It's every bit as dense and crumbly, but there's this subtle whisper of sweetness hiding just beneath the surface.
4. Irish-Style Roasted Potatoes
The Irish don't mess around when it comes to roasting potatoes. You go big or you go home.
They roast them whole, no chopping, slicing, or dicing nonsense involved. You get gorgeous golden brown spuds with exceptionally crispy skins and just the right hit of pepper.
5. Shamrock Salad
For this salad, you'll want to grab every green thing you can find. Cook them just until tender but still with a little crispness left.
Toss it all together with a simple homemade four ingredient dressing. It's not quite as speedy as the sauteed cabbage, but it's pretty darn close.
6. Champ
I'll be straight with you. I have zero clue why this glorious bowl of mashed potatoes is called champ, but I like to imagine it's because my family acts like I just won a trophy every time I make it.
Whatever the real story is, there's no arguing that this side dish completely steals the spotlight from whatever else is on the plate. It's creamy, buttery mashed potatoes loaded with scallions, and somehow that simple combination tastes unbelievably amazing. Those green onions are everything.
7. Rumbledethumps (Potato, Cabbage and Cheese Gratin)
Rumbledethumps lives right in that happy overlap where mashed potatoes meet scalloped potatoes. It's traditionally served as a side, but plenty of households love it so much they just call it dinner, casserole style. Made with potatoes, cheese, chives, and cabbage, it's wonderfully filling and deeply satisfying.
8. Baked Cabbage with Bacon
With just seven ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands on prep, you can pull together the best cabbage dish I've ever eaten. Baking gives the cabbage so much more flavor than boiling ever could. Top it all off with garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and bacon, and suddenly you've got a side dish that rivals anything else on the table.
9. Irish Fried Cabbage and Bacon
This recipe proves something I already knew deep in my soul: anything tastes incredible when you add enough bacon. It comes together in under 30 minutes, and even if you're convinced you don't like cabbage, the combo of crispy bacon and a touch of brown sugar will flip that opinion right around.
10. Irish Stacked Potato Bites
These bite sized stacks of pure bliss are potatoes layered with potatoes that are layered with even more potatoes, then topped with cheese, and finished with more potatoes on top. You'll also use butter, garlic, heavy cream, salt, and pepper, but let's be real, I had you hooked by the third time I said "potatoes," didn't I? If somehow all those taters weren't enticing enough on their own, you can finish them off with a sprinkle of chives or scallions.
11. Irish Mushroom and Potato Soup
This soup is so thick and velvety you might actually mistake it for a warm, savory dip. It's not a dip, but let me tell you, slathering it all over a hunk of crusty bread tastes absolutely divine. Loaded with mushrooms, celery, leeks, carrots, and other good-for-you ingredients, it's surprisingly wholesome too.
12. Irish Oatmeal Bread
Homemade bread can feel a little intimidating, but this loaf is more forgiving than most. Plus, it's absolutely beautiful to look at, with a swirled center that's hard to miss and the loveliest golden color. And if its good looks aren't enough to convince you, it also tastes fantastic and gives you a decent boost of fiber and protein.
13. Irish Soda Bread
This bread is dense, beautifully craggy, and has a shatteringly crispy crust with no yeast required. Inside that golden shell, the crumb is so tender it almost surprises you.
You can toss in a handful of raisins if that's your thing, but honestly? It truly doesn't need them. This loaf is incredible just as it is.
14. Shamrock Crackers
These are essentially baked spinach wraps cut out with cookie cutters and sprinkled with salt, but if you're hunting for the perfect St. Patrick's Day snack, look no further. They're absolutely adorable, bright green and shaped like tiny shamrocks.
If that doesn't make you grin, I don't know what will. Bonus: they're wonderfully crunchy and taste fantastic with salsa.
15. Colcannon Puffs
Crispy on the outside, warm and tender in the center, and packed with kale and garlic goodness. Where do I sign up?
These little beauties do take some time to pull together, so do yourself a favor and double the batch. Trust me on this one. You will not want to share a single bite.
16. Irish Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These potatoes are a cheesy, gooey, gloriously delicious mess in the best possible way. Layer in some onions, herbs, seasonings, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and you'll have a dish that everyone at the table is going to be fighting over. Expect zero leftovers.
17. Sauteed Cabbage
Sauteed cabbage isn't my absolute favorite thing on this list, but I can't argue with how ridiculously convenient it is. All you need is cabbage, salt, pepper, water, and butter, and you can have it ready in 10 minutes flat. Dinner sides truly don't get much easier than that.
18. Irish Style Coleslaw
Irish coleslaw reminds me of the American version, but it's creamier, noticeably sweeter, and honestly about ten times better. There's something about swapping in Greek yogurt and heavy whipping cream while skipping the vinegar entirely that puts it in a completely different league. Miles ahead, truly.
19. Irish Pasties
What's better than a warm, flaky pastry crust stuffed with perfectly seasoned roast beef and tender potatoes? I'll tell you what.
Those very same pasties absolutely smothered in homemade beef gravy. Mmmmm. That is the dream right there.
