This year, kick St. Patrick’s Day up a notch with our heartiest recipes and special Irish products in our aisles. To help you pull it off, we’ve created an Irish-inspired menu, plus gathered serving tips from expert team members across our Cheese, Bakery, Beer and Spirit departments.
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To Start: Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese
Produced in County Cork, Ireland, and inspired by the country’s capital, this cult-favorite cheese is proudly Irish all the way through. Made with cow’s milk, this aged cheese combines elements of cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano — a sharp, mildly sweet flavor with a crumbly texture.
How to Enjoy: Mary Beth Vultee from our Food, Innovation and Trends team enjoys Dubliner straight from the package with Irish soda bread and a smear of marmalade to bring out its nutty notes. Don’t forget a glass of Guinness beer, of course.**
The Ultimate Vehicle: Irish Soda Bread
Soda bread is a type of quick bread that uses baking soda instead of yeast as a leavening agent. This gives it a distinctive, scone-like texture that makes it the ideal vehicle for jam, butter or cheese. Pick up loaves from our Bakery for a limited time only or try making your own at home.
How to Enjoy: Slather a slice with rich and creamy Kerrygold butter or top with sliced Dubliner cheese for a savory, satisfying snack. Prepared Foods and Bakery VP Rashne Desai suggests keeping the toppings simple to let the bread’s flavor and texture shine.
The Main Dish: Corned Beef and Cabbage
Known for its succulent, fork-tender texture and meaty, briny flavor, corned beef and cabbage is actually more Irish-American in origin than it is Irish. Either way, it’s a much-loved staple of any St. Patrick’s Day meal. Serve with potatoes, either boiled whole or mashed, making sure to reserve the cooking liquid for extra flavor.
Buying Tip: Corned beef, which is made from brisket that has been pickled in brine, is available in our Meat department for a limited time only.
The Quintessential Side: Potatoes
Whether boiled or mashed, potatoes are perfect for soaking up the hearty, savory goodness of corned beef and cabbage. Try simply boiling baby potatoes in salted water until fork-tender — or make our mashed potato recipe, which adds parsnips for extra texture and flavor.
How to Enjoy: Alongside or mixed together with corned beef and cabbage. If boiling your potatoes, try gently smashing them with a fork on your plate. For mashed potatoes, take them to the next level with chopped fresh parsley and grated Dubliner cheese.
To Drink: Guinness Beer**
As one of Ireland’s oldest and most iconic beers, you probably know Guinness even if you haven’t tasted it. This roasty, creamy brew is deeply woven into Irish culture for a reason — and it’s the perfect pairing for hearty St. Patrick’s Day fare. From classic Irish Stout to Nitro Cold Brew Stout, don’t miss familiar and unique varieties in our Beer department.
How to Enjoy: The secret to the perfect Guinness? Nailing the pour. Here’s how Global Beer and Spirits Buyer Mary Guiver does it: Pour the beer into a tulip glass held at a 45-degree angle. (Be sure to watch for the famed cascading nitrogen bubbles!) Pour until the glass is three-fourths full, then let rest before topping off with the remaining beer.
To Sip: Slane Irish Whiskey**
Not to be confused with whisky (which comes from Scotland, Canada or Japan), Irish whiskey packs a rich history that spans across centuries. This smooth, approachable spirit pairs well with hearty mains and cheeses (such as Dubliner), and it also works wonders with chocolate in just about any form.
How to enjoy: Mary Guiver likes to sip Irish whiskies on their own to appreciate their flavor notes — serve them neat or on the rocks with a couple of ice cubes. If you want to have some fun, try an Irish-inspired cocktail such as a classic Irish Coffee (which never goes out of style).**
Treat: Guinness Ice Cream Floats**
For the perfect sweet ending, Mary Guiver upgrades ice cream floats with a secret ingredient — Guinness. Start with an easy recipe, such as Chocolate Chip Cherry Ice Cream Floats, and swap the cherry vanilla cream soda for a 12-ounce bottle of Guinness Draught Stout.** You’re welcome.
Looking for more menu inspiration? Check out our St. Patrick’s Day recipe collection for classic meals, green-themed dishes and creative twists.
**Must be 21+ to purchase. Please drink responsibly.
