Get Your Green On to Throw the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Party

To make sure you get a little Irish into your St. Patrick’s Day meals, try one of these delicious recipes. (photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner which means it is time to get out your green, find some shamrocks socks, and get ready to celebrate all things Irish.  Although St. Patrick’s Day started as a religious holiday more than a millennium ago, today’s celebration is more about drinking Irish drink things, eating green things, and having a great time.  This makes it the perfect time to throw a green-themed party.  And while not all traditional Irish fare makes great party food, there are many ways to treat your guests to a culinary experience worthy of this raucous holiday.

Here are some great ideas for taking your St. Patty’s Day party beyond green-beer guzzling contests and making it a true celebration of the tastes and flavors of the Emerald Isle.  Just remember, it doesn’t matter where you were born or which country your ancestors came from, on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone gets to be Irish.

Appetizers

• Corned beef and cabbage rolls
• Beer Battered Broccoli
• Grilled Tomatoes 
• Beer Battered Broccoli
• Irish Grilled Cheese

Main Dishes

• Irish-American Corned Beef Hash
• Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Black and Tan Leg of Lamb
• Beer Braised Corned Beef with Red Potatoes and Carrots

Soups and Stews

• Leek and Potato Soup
• Irish Stew
• Barley and Lamb Stew
• Roasted Root Vegetable Irish Stew

Sides

• Boxty Pancakes
• Irish Champ
• Colcannon
• Black and Tan Pork with Spicy Ale Slaw
• Black and Tan Irish Mac n Cheddar 
  

Breads

• Irish Brown Bread
• Irish Soda Bread
• Soda Bread Biscuits
• Gluten-free Irish Soda Bread

Beverages

• Irish Hot Chocolate
• Irish Coffee
• Black and Tan
• Green Iced Tea

Desserts

• Toasted Oat and Apple Crumble
• Black and White Pudding
• Black and Tan Sweet Beer Dessert
• Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes
• Chocolate Stout and Irish Cream Cupcakes
• Rum Raisin Rice Pudding
• Boozy Irish Whisky Cake
  
• Irish Cream Pie
• Green Velvet Cake

Related articles

• Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day (fillyourplate.org)
• Get to Know Your Leafy Greens (fillyourplate.org)
• Everything is Better with Bacon (fillyourplate.org)