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By Joy Lasseter, Ph.D., Nutritionist
As a nutritionist I have frequently been curious about the cuisine of other countries. There are some common elements, like flour, butter, milk, eggs, salt and pepper. What I find fascinating are the different dishes that contain these few common items. Certainly the unique spices and herbs of each region play a huge part in making their foods unique. Also their availability to certain native livestock and plants is part of the picture.
As St. Patrick’s Day comes near, I decided to take a deeper look into several traditional Irish dishes that you may not hear about as often. Irish cooking often relies on simple ingredients like potatoes, onions, carrots, dairy products, and meats such as bacon or sausage. These ingredients combine to create hearty meals that have been enjoyed for generations.
Below are a few traditional Irish recipes that you might enjoy exploring in your own kitchen.
Dublin Coddle
A traditional Irish comfort stew
Dublin Coddle is a classic Irish sausage and potato stew that originated in Dublin. It’s a hearty dish traditionally made with sausages, bacon, potatoes, and onions simmered together slowly for rich flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound low-fat sausages, cut in half
1 pound thick bacon strips, sliced
1 pound potatoes, cubed
2 large sweet onions, sliced
6 carrots, cubed
1 quart chicken stock
1 quart whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat a large casserole dish with lid over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and bacon and cook until crisp.
Remove most of the drippings, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the casserole.
Add the potatoes, onions, and carrots. Cook until the onions soften.
Stir in the chicken stock and milk. Season with salt and pepper.
Cover and simmer on low heat until ready to serve. This dish can simmer gently for quite a while, making it perfect to have ready when guests arrive.
Irish Soda Farls
A traditional Irish skillet bread
Irish soda farls are a simple form of soda bread cooked in a skillet rather than baked in the oven. They are often served warm with butter and jam and make a wonderful addition to breakfast or tea.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
Preheat a cast-iron skillet to medium heat.
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda.
Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Mix quickly to form a soft dough.
Knead lightly on a well-floured surface.
Sprinkle flour in the skillet to prevent sticking. Form the dough into a flattened circle about ½ inch thick in the skillet.
Cut the dough into four quarters using a floured knife.
Cook for 6–8 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Serve warm with butter and jam.
Irish Dairy Cake
A rich traditional Irish dessert
This traditional Irish dairy cake is rich and dense and makes a wonderful dessert for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
6 eggs, room temperature
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 300°F.
Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan and set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Beat in the cream cheese and vanilla extract.
The next step is important—add the flour slowly, about ½ cup at a time, mixing gradually. The batter should become smooth and velvety.
Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake until the top is golden brown. Baking time is approximately 1½ hours, though ovens vary.
Check the cake near the end of baking to prevent over-browning.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Traditional Irish Recipes
Exploring foods from different cultures can be a wonderful way to learn about history, traditions, and ingredients that have been enjoyed for generations.
These traditional Irish dishes offer comforting flavors and simple preparation that make them perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply trying something new in the kitchen.
For more healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and cooking ideas, visit my blog:
A Note from Dr. Joy
I accidentally left out some information from my February 2026 column in the Valentine’s cupcakes recipe. Thank you to Patricia for spotting my error.
For people who want to avoid refined sugar, I recommend monk fruit sweetener, which is available in bags at many grocery stores. It works well in many recipes, though it can sometimes produce a slightly granular texture in custards or cakes.
If you are gluten-sensitive, many grocery stores now carry a variety of gluten-free cake mixes that can make baking easier.
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