33 Easy Irish-Inspired Recipes to Try at Home

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 6

If you're going to stick with the classic, make this hands-off version that practically cooks itself. It's served with a decadent horseradish sauce for dipping. Pro tip: "I recommend removing the [potatoes] from the slow cooker at about four hours so they don’t turn into mush, then returning them when you add the cabbage to the cooker," recipe creator Heidi Larsen notes.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, one pan
• Serves: 4

These potatoes are crispy, comforting and coated in thyme, oregano and basil. "Although fresh corned beef is ideal, you can substitute with one 12-ounce can of corned beef, adding less salt to taste," recipe creator Chungah Rhee says. The leftovers are destined for Sunday brunch.

• Time Commitment:
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Behold: one of the most old-school Irish dishes of all time. This take on mashed spuds with greens calls for tangy sour cream and cream cheese. Don't have kale on hand? "You can easily substitute chard, collard greens or cabbage," recipe creator Kate Taylor suggests.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 2

Think potato latkes, but made with mashed potatoes instead of shredded and fried in butter. You likely have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen right now, too. "They are perfect with a dollop of sour cream, and I served them up with some sausage and fried eggs," recipe creator Stephanie Le says.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6 to 8

This recipe honors the O.G. by using lamb shoulder instead of beef. Even better, by the end, you'll only have your Dutch oven to clean. "Irish stew will keep up to four days in the refrigerator...or can be frozen for up to six months," recipe creator Sylvia Fountaine says.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

"This mousse is thick and sturdy and full on taste," recipe creator Tieghan Gerard writes. "Both the coffee and whiskey highlight that awesome chocolate flavor." Don’t skip the Baileys whipped cream—it's infused with loose-leaf Earl Grey tea.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

So much more elegant than a mushy mound of boiled cabbage, no? The caraway seeds on top are a nice touch. "You could go the classic route with a roast chicken and potatoes, make a pinkies-out pork tenderloin with pistachios or treat the cabbage as a vegetarian main with macaroni and cheese to round out the meal," recipe developer Erin McDowell suggests.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

This dish of pork sausage, potatoes, onion and back bacon was a traditional Thursday night meal for Irish Catholics back in the day. If you aren't making it over an open flame, it's possible to cook it in the oven. "Lightly grease a Dutch oven or covered casserole dish," recipe creator Tricia Buice says. "Preheat the oven to 325°F and bake covered for 90 minutes, removing the lid for the last 45 minutes or so."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

The definition of crowd-pleasing comfort food. No one says “no” to mashed potatoes (especially when they’re made with goat cheese). "It's worthy of being served at casual family meals and weekend dinner parties alike," McDowell asserts.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

The sticky whiskey glaze is equal parts zingy and sweet, while the cheese sauce is hearty and sharp. "The sauce gives the burger a little kick of saltiness and tang," Gerard writes. "You can’t strongly taste the whiskey because you cook it down on the stove, but it leaves a nice hint, which is really all you need." Good luck not devouring all the crispy onions before finishing the burgers.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 2

Aka the best way to repurpose St. Patrick's Day leftovers. Serve the grilled cheese sandwich Reuben-style with a side of Thousand Island dressing, or slather on a generous dose of grainy mustard for some sinus-clearing heat.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: varies

Just like Grandma used to make (or somebody’s grandma, anyway). The loaf is dense, soft, packed with raisins and begging to be slathered in butter. Leftovers? "Baked and cooled bread freezes well for up to three months," recipe creator Sally McKenney says. "Freeze the whole loaf or individual slices. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then reheat as desired."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Apples were a crucial part of Samhain, the Gaelic holiday that inspired Halloween. And once you try this easy Irish recipe, apples will become just as pivotal to dessert at your place. "The vanilla bean pod is optional, but adds amazing flavor," notes recipe creator Amanda Powell. "You can omit the vanilla bean and just use the vanilla extract."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

This eight-ingredient dish stars yellow tomato sauce and pearl mozz. Even picky eaters will ask for a second helping. If you're feeling extra ambitious, you can even make the orecchiette yourself with two types of flour and water.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 8 to 10

This soul-soother is best paired with a bottle of pale ale. (A second one, that is, since it's already the first ingredient in the broth.) The rest is mostly celery, carrots, onion, garlic, potatoes and fresh herbs.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 15 scones

These handhelds are studded with dried fruit, walnuts and caraway seeds, but that's not all. The scones also contain currants, which are plumped with a few tablespoons of whiskey for boozy flair. "Store extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or double-bagged in the freezer for a month or so," recipe creator Alanna Taylor-Tobin recommends.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

It's not exactly an easy Irish recipe, but it's definitely drool-worthy. Who needs tortilla chips when you've got crispy, thin-sliced potatoes? Pile the bacon, sour cream and cheddar cheese on to your heart's content.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 20 truffles

Bring on the sprinkles, lads and lassies. These dangerously poppable treats are only five indulgent ingredients away. "Requiring only five ingredients and two hours of your time, you’ll be set with a gourmet dessert and still have time to binge-watch Netflix," McDowell says.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pot, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 5

This Irish staple boasts chunks of white fish and pairs best with buttery soda bread. (Oh, and it'll only take you 35 minutes from start to finish.) Recipe creator Nagi Maehashi recommends using high-quality fish stock from a fish shop for this recipe, but you can use clam juice instead.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, high protein
• Serves: 8

Behold: my new happy place. Make the filling ahead and finish each taco with lime-yogurt crema and sharp Irish cheddar. As for the fries, go with a light lager, amber ale or pale ale for malty sweetness, a crisp finish and minimal bitterness.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 1

Want to tackle this easy Irish recipe like the pros? Pour the whiskey and sugar into the coffee and stir it until it dissolves. Then, pour the cream over the back of a spoon so it floats. Ta-da.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, high protein
• Serves: 4

This stick-to-your-ribs main is just as popular in Ireland as it is in England. Make it from scratch once and you'll never use store-bought gravy mix again. Plate it with mashed potatoes and green peas, along with a flourish of fresh parsley or chives.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 2

All aboard the Comfort Food Express. This hearty stew is nestled under a blanket of store-bought puff pastry for maximum indulgence. "I added in some carrots and mushrooms for some texture, sweetness and umami," Le explains.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 3

This dinner party-ready dessert only takes about 30 minutes and seven ingredients to prepare, plus it's a breeze to make ahead. Not only can the mousse be made up to a full day in advance, but the recipe can also be doubled or tripled with ease, in case you're hosting St. Patrick's Day.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 4 to 6

You only *think* cabbage is boring, likely because you've never tried it doused in white wine, heavy cream and a thyme-kissed trio of cheeses. (Did I mention the breadcrumbs?) "Shred [the leftovers] up and stir into pasta, alongside every last remnant of cheesy breadcrumbs and sauce,” recipe creator and cookbook author Adrienne Cheatham suggests.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: Instant Pot recipe, <30 minutes, one pot
• Serves: 6

Thanks to the pressure cooker, this creamy mac is only 20 minutes away. In addition to butter, cheese and bacon, it also contains shredded Brussels sprouts, because balance. Follow Gerard's stovetop instructions if you don't have an Instant Pot.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 24 cookies

Sure, the Scots invented them. But shortbread was a lot different pre-Irish butter. Dunk 'em in coffee, tea or hot cocoa to make them even tastier. "I like to use icing sugar because the grains are finer," Maehashi explains, "so you get a smoother finish on the surface. Also, icing sugar has about ½ the sweetness of sugar by volume."

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 6

Unlike its lamb-laden predecessor, Irish stew made with cubed beef is actually called brown stew. Whichever you decide to cook, it'll be sure to satisfy. "If you cannot consume alcohol, substitute the Guinness with two cups water, one tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and two beef bouillon cubes, crumbled," Maehashi advises.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Bust out the slow cooker for this hearty peasant meal. You can freeze the leftovers for up to three months or keep them in the fridge instead for up to three days (if there are any, that is).

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Way more exciting than the plain boiled kind, this cabbage side boasts angel hair pasta, salty bacon and Parmesan cheese. Need I say more? "A good finishing hit of black pepper and squeeze of lemon really brings the dish to life," Maehashi raves.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 14 cupcakes

Espresso powder and black coffee give these sprinkle-topped cuties the jolt they need. (The Irish cream helps, too.) "The frosting can be made a day in advance, covered and stored in the refrigerator," McKenney says. "Bring it to room temperature before using. If the frosting is too thick, beat in one tablespoon of Baileys or room temperature black coffee to thin it out."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 40 pieces

I'd be remiss to not suggest this Philadelphia confection for St. Patrick’s Day. These potato-free candies are made with cream cheese and shredded coconut, then rolled in cinnamon. According to McDowell, they taste like a Mounds candy bar with cinnamon in place of chocolate.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 8

This stout cake is super moist, thanks to sour cream and stout beer in the batter. The generous layer of vanilla-cream cheese frosting is just a bonus. "Top the cake with dollops of icing to resemble the frothy head of a pint of Guinness," Buice recommends.