When you think of quintessential St. Patrick’s Day recipes, the first dish that might come to mind is a corned beef and cabbage recipe — a hearty one-pot meal that brings together tender, juicy meat and greens simmered in a savory broth. Yes, but where’s the corn? Great question! The word "corned" refers to the large grains of salt historically used to cure the beef as a way to preserve it prior to the advent of widespread refrigeration.
If you’re wondering how to cook corned beef and cabbage and worried it might be complicated, rest assured it’s very straightforward. Most supermarkets offer ready-to-cook cuts of corned beef, which is beef brisket that’s already spiced. If you really want to go old-school, you can seek out a specialty butcher where you can purchase beef brisket and braise it “low and slow” to transform this lean cut into fork-tender pieces.
Either way, this one pot meal makes a wonderful delicacy as the meat absorbs the cabbage's mellow sweetness. Whether served hot from the stove or made ahead for even better flavor mingling, corned beef and cabbage offers a mouthwatering meal steeped in heritage.
If you’re planning to delight the leprechauns in your life this March, that might be your go-to dish, but we have also assembled a smorgasbord of additional St. Patrick’s Day recipes that will be the “pot o’ gold” at the end of the rainbow.
CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
This iconic pairing captures the best of rustic cooking, especially when you add carrots and potatoes for a true one-pot meal. Spice this Irish recipe just right with McCormick Mixed Pickling Spice and McCormick Minced Garlic, then simmer these humble ingredients for a dish that provides the base for a traditional St. Patrick’s Day feast. A dash of McCormick Parsley Flakes stirred into melted butter brings a pop of freshness and color to the veggies.
SLOW COOKER CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
Try this slow cooker corned beef for a tasty, simple recipe that will have scratch cooks green with envy. Simply place all the ingredients except the cabbage in a slow cooker and go about your day. About an hour before feast time, add the cabbage and before you know it, you’ll be ladling out this Irish recipe staple for an ultra-convenient St. Patrick’s Day bash.
IRISH SODA BREAD
If you’ve never fancied yourself a bread maker, you’ll change your tune once you have a look at this Irish recipe that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. It uses lots of baking standbys—think McCormick Ground Cinnamon and McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract—along with McCormick Whole Caraway Seed for a fun twist. Raisins or currants add a welcome chewy texture.
CARAWAY STOUT COCKTAIL
Why brave the crowds and nonsense at a pub when you can celebrate in the comfort of your own home with this tasty St. Patrick’s Day cocktail? Stop by your liquor store for Irish whiskey and Guinness, then deploy your shaker with McCormick Whole Caraway Seed to concoct a flavorful simple syrup that offers unexpected licorice notes.
IRISH SPUDS AND DIP
To truly replicate the St. Patrick’s Day experience, pair that classic St. Patty’s Day cocktail with a pub-themed appetizer. These crispy roasted potatoes get some punch from McCormick Chili Powder. Keep the theme rolling with a shamrock-hued dip…just mix McCormick Green Food Color into bottled ranch dressing to inject some St. Patrick’s Day levity.
LUCK O' THE IRISH CAKE POPS
It’s not a party without a themed dessert. Create this showstopping finish by using a few more drops of the McCormick Green Food Color that gave the spud dip its festive look. With a boxed cake mix as the base, bake them up in a snap so that you can devote extra time to letting your creativity run wild. Get your party guests (or family) involved in the decorating for a sweet activity.
IRISH CREAM SWIRL BROWNIES
Your guests will agree that these elegant, but effortless, brownies are “magically delicious,” thanks to a velvety marbled frosting that brings a holiday vibe with the pairing of Irish cream liqueur and your trusty McCormick Green Food Color. As with the recipe above, you’ll start with a boxed dessert mix that you’ll make party-ready by whipping up a tasty topping. Swirling a knife through the batter gives it that professional marbled touch.
Looking for other easy one-pot meals? You won’t need the luck of the Irish to offer fool-proof leprechaun-approved entrees when you try these St. Patrick’s Day recipes:
- Easy Shepherd’s Pie
- Hearty Beef and Mushroom Stew.
- Luck of the Irish Crispy Treats
- Irish Stew
- Green Ombre Cake
- Caraway Cheese Spread
