St. Patrick's Day Recipes to Take Your Celebration Over the Rainbow (2024)

FAQs

What does the rainbow represent on St Patrick's Day? ›

St. Patrick viewed the rainbow as a representation of God's promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood. So, the Irish myths and legends of rainbows and pots of gold merged with Christian beliefs to where we are today!

Irish-American corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, Irish stew, and Guinness® stout. Find a traditional recipe—or something fun—for your March 17 celebration.

Most people who celebrate St. Patrick's Day enjoy a hearty plate of corned beef and cabbage for dinner. With it, they might have something like Irish potatoes on the side. It's delicious, filling, and a classic for a reason!

We've all heard of the old Irish saying to follow the rainbow and find the “pot of gold.” The rainbow was often interpreted as a promise of good luck, abundance a sign to follow the heart's desire or follow your dreams.

Folklore depicts leprechauns as mistrustful creatures who detest humans. According to legend, leprechauns found the abandoned gold and buried it again so no human could ever find it. The old folktales tell us that there is a pot of gold hidden where the end of any rainbow touches the earth.

Apparently, the Irish understood this as far back as the 17th century, when they would say one was as likely to find a pot of gold as they were to find the end of the rainbow. Since then, it has become a fairy tale of gold and leprechauns. I've always believed the expression meant that hard work always pays off.

Cabbage is a versatile vegetable, readily available year-round and perfect for St. Patrick's Day dinner.

Colcannon and champ

Colcannon is a classic, comforting mash of potatoes, cabbage (or kale) and butter (or cream), flavoured with spring onions. Champ is a similar, mashed potato favourite, flavoured with spring onions, milk and butter. Try making your own... Colcannon or champ made with mustard or celeriac.

Believed to have been a staple of Irish cuisine since around the year 1800, heart-warming homemade stew remains a firm favourite to this day. To many across the country, Irish stew is the national dish of Ireland. The methods and flavour of an Irish stew vary from person to person and have evolved over the years.

Can you name a typical St. Patrick's Day dish? ›

The two types of entree food that people are supposed to eat, according to tradition, are shepherd's pie and corned beef and cabbage. As for appetizers and St. Patrick's Day snacks, dishes like pudding, soda bread, Irish pancakes, and colcannon are quite popular.

One of the most popular and iconic Irish foods is undoubtedly the traditional Irish stew. This hearty dish typically consists of tender chunks of meat (such as lamb or beef), potatoes, onions, carrots, and sometimes other vegetables like celery or parsnips.

Myth has it that leprechauns hide a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. So if you see one on St. Patrick's Day, but sure to follow it to find this treasure!

If you've lost a pet, chances are you've heard of the Rainbow Bridge. This bridge is a mythical overpass said to connect heaven and Earth — and, more to the point, a spot where grieving pet owners reunite for good with their departed furry friends.

May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sign a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer.

The green stripe in the Irish flag also played a role. Traditionally, the green represents the Catholics of Ireland, the orange represents the Protestant population and the white in the middle symbolizes the peace between the two religions.

Shamrock: The Three-Leaved Clover

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. The three leaves of the shamrock represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock has been a symbol of Ireland for centuries, and it is often worn on St. Patrick's Day as a sign of Irish pride.

Shamrocks—a three-leafed clover long associated with Ireland—are indelibly associated with St. Paddy's day.