14 Irish Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again

Irish cuisine has been influenced greatly by global history. The potato, a mainstay of the Irish diet, originated in Peru and was adopted by the Irish people who turned the tuber into stews, candies, and even pancakes. A longstanding and fraught relationship with neighboring Britain also means that many English foods and culinary traditions have made their way into Ireland, including desserts, whiskey and a taste for tea. During the Irish potato famine, many Irish fled to the United States where they learned dishes from other immigrants that later made their way back to Ireland, like corned beef. Modern Irish food now incorporates elements from all over the world just as chefs are now digging deep into local history to rediscover ancient dishes. Whether you're looking for something with years of tradition or an upated dish that speaks to the ingredients and techniques that make Irish cuisine what it is, a homey lamb stew is a must. This one calls for simple ingredients almost everyone can access. It has a mild flavor, making it perfect for those with delicate palates (including kids). While the herb butter is entirely optional, we highly recommend drizzling your stew with it for added richness.

This breakfast is a riff on the full English breakfast and features many of the same elements. Don’t get intimidated by how big this breakfast is, though. It’s typically a weekend or special occasion feast. Try sourcing Irish bacon if you can find it. It makes all the difference.

Soda bread gets its name from the fact that it is leavened using baking soda instead of yeast. That means that this recipe will take you a fraction of the time it does to make yeasted breads since you don’t have to wait for the dough to rise. It’s also a great bread to make for first-time bakers, especially kids. Ina Garten’s recipe includes orange zest and currants.

Like many traditional dishes, the recipe for Irish coddle (also known as Dublin coddle) varies widely from family to family. Born in 1700s inner-city Dublin tenements, it’s a grab-what-you-have kind of stew that simmers low and slow to peak deliciousness. The building blocks of the dish (bacon, sausage, onions, potatoes and plenty of parsley and black pepper) add up to more than the sum of their parts, creating a dark, flavorful broth and an incredibly warm bowl of nourishment. Serving with slices of soda bread is a must and adding a splash of Ireland’s favorite beer, while optional, is very highly recommended!