Traditional Irish Food

Contrary to popular belief, corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish meal. This was what the Irish in America ate because it was all they could afford at the time. From this, it evolved into the staple meal of Irish holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. While it is still a great meal to eat and is relevant, for those looking to have an authentic Irish feast, there are some more traditional dishes.

This first dish is skillet-roasted lamb loins with herbs. Lamb is popular in Ireland due to there being a large amount populating the country. In previous generations, to celebrate, an Irish man would kill the lamb himself and have his wife prepare the meat. This recipe takes about one hour to complete and serves eight. It’s an easy dish with beautiful results. Rub down the lamb with herbs, garlic and shallots, tie them up and then sear them.

No Irish dinner is finished without potatoes. It’s a staple in the country because it was easy to grow and did not cost a lot. This recipe is for lemony, salt-roasted fingerling potatoes. The lemon taste is not overpowering in this dish. The total time for the meal is estimated at 45 minutes. It’s recommended to grind the rosemary, sage and thyme into the salt to help intensify and meld the flavors.

Lastly, a meal served with shepherd’s pie will have St. Patrick smiling from his grave. This is a go-to dish for many Irish and is offered at most Irish restaurants. It’s a comforting dish filled with many hearty ingredients.