19 Irish-Inspired Dinners That Don’t Involve Corned Beef

Corned beef gets all the attention on St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s a lot more to Irish food than that. If it’s not your thing or you just want something different, plenty of other dishes bring those deep, hearty flavors without the brisket. Rich stews, buttery mashed potatoes, and slow-cooked meats make for a dinner that actually feels worth the effort. These meals are the kind you’d want any time of year, not just for a holiday.

Irish Stout Onion Soup

A close-up of a baked dish in a white ramekin, topped with melted cheese, toasted bread, and fresh thyme. The cheese has bubbled over the sides, and another similar dish is visible partially in the background. A spoon is adjacent to the dish. — Irish Stout Onion Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

French onion soup gets an Irish makeover with stout beer, thyme croutons, and plenty of Irish cheddar. Bold, rich, and exactly what you need when the weather cools down.
Get the Recipe: Irish Stout Onion Soup

Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

A slow cooker containing a shepherd's pie. The pie is topped with a creamy sauce and sprinkled with parsley. A wooden spoon is in the slow cooker. There are glasses of milk, a bowl of bread, and a plate with a serving of the same shepherd's pie visible in the background. The overall presentation is rustic and appetizing, suggesting a comforting and flavorful dish. — Slow Cooker Cottage Pie. Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

A slow cooker takes all the effort out of this hearty classic. Ground beef, vegetables, and mashed potatoes come together for a great Irish-inspired dinner that’s ready when you are. No need to babysit the stove—just let it cook low and slow.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

Savory Beef & Stout Irish Pot Pie

A cast iron skillet containing a pot pie. The pie has a golden-brown crust and is garnished with a sprig of thyme. Slices of bread, garlic cloves, peppercorns, and a small bowl of chopped carrots are visible on the surface next to the skillet. A glass of beer is also present. The overall presentation is rustic and appetizing, suggesting a comforting and flavorful dish. — Savory Beef & Stout Irish Pot Pie. Photo credit: Stef’s Eats and Sweets.

Beef and vegetables soak up the deep flavor of a stout gravy before getting tucked under a flaky, golden crust. It’s comfort food with an Irish pub feel, great for St. Patrick’s Day or any night that calls for something rich and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Savory Beef & Stout Irish Pot Pie

Ground Beef and Cabbage

A skillet of cooked cabbage and ground beef. The cabbage is shredded and appears to be sauteed or braised with the ground beef. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top. A wooden spoon is in the skillet. The overall presentation is simple yet appetizing, suggesting a flavorful and savory dish. — Ground Beef and Cabbage. Photo credit: The Yummy Bowl.

This one-pan meal keeps things simple with beef and cabbage coming together for a no-fuss dinner. It’s quick, hearty, and feels right at home on any Irish-inspired menu.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage

Traditional Irish Beef Stew

A plate of Irish stew served over mashed potatoes. The stew contains chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich brown gravy. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top. A glass of dark liquid, possibly Guinness, is in the background. The plate is white and sits on a wooden surface. Some raw potatoes and carrots are visible in the foreground. The overall presentation is appetizing and suggests a hearty and flavorful meal. — Traditional Irish Beef Stew. Photo credit: Stef’s Eats and Sweets.

Slow-cooked beef, vegetables, and a hit of Irish stout make this stew a great pick for a chilly night. Ladle it over mashed potatoes for the full experience. If you’re skipping corned beef, this is the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Irish Beef Stew

Fried Cabbage With Bacon And Onion

A white bowl of cooked cabbage and bacon. The cabbage is shredded and appears to be sauteed or braised. The bacon is cooked and interspersed throughout the cabbage. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top. The bowl is on a wooden surface. A small bowl of parsley is visible in the upper right corner. The overall presentation is simple yet appetizing, suggesting a flavorful and savory side dish. — Fried Cabbage With Bacon And Onion. Photo credit: Cookrita.

Crispy bacon, sweet onions, and tender cabbage make a great side dish or quick meal. It’s an easy way to bring some Irish flavors to the table with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage With Bacon And Onion

Lamb Stew

Three bowls of Irish stew. The stew contains chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich brown gravy. Fresh parsley and thyme are sprinkled on top. A gold-colored spoon is partially visible in the upper left corner. A larger pot of the same stew is visible in the background. The overall presentation is rustic and appetizing, suggesting a hearty and flavorful dish. — Lamb Stew. Photo credit: Spend With Pennies.

Tender lamb, potatoes, and carrots simmer in a Guinness-infused broth for a rich, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal. This is exactly what you want when you’re craving something hearty.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Stew

Irish Brisket Nachos

A cast iron skillet filled with a cheesy, loaded dish. It appears to be a type of nacho or similar appetizer, with melted cheese, sliced onions, roasted red peppers, and jalapeños. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top. The skillet is on a wooden surface. The overall presentation is appetizing and suggests a flavorful and hearty dish. — Irish Brisket Nachos. Photo credit: Out Grilling.

Leftover brisket finds new life in these loaded nachos. Layers of potatoes, cheese, onions, and tomatoes make this a bold take on Irish-inspired comfort food. Perfect for game night or St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Irish Brisket Nachos

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

A meatless take on a classic, this shepherd’s pie swaps beef for protein-packed lentils and tops it all off with mashed potatoes. A solid pick if you’re skipping meat but still want that hearty Irish feel.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie

Ground lamb or beef, vegetables, and Guinness stout cook down into a rich filling, all topped with mashed potatoes. This one belongs in every home cook’s back pocket for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

Cast Iron Shepherd’s Pie Skillet

Same great flavors as classic shepherd’s pie, but even easier. Ground beef, veggies, and store-bought or leftover mashed potatoes come together in a cast-iron skillet for a quick, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Shepherd’s Pie Skillet

Irish Nachos

Classic nachos get the Irish treatment with crispy potato slices instead of chips. Load them up with cheese, bacon, and whatever else sounds good. Great for sharing—if you’re willing to share.
Get the Recipe: Irish Nachos

Colcannon

Mashed potatoes meet sautéed greens for an Irish side dish that pairs perfectly with ham, bacon, or just about anything else. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and a great way to round out an Irish-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Colcannon

American Irish Beef Stew

A heartier, all-American take on classic Irish stew. The beef and vegetables soak up deep flavors as they simmer, making this one a great choice for a no-nonsense, stick-to-your-ribs dinner.
Get the Recipe: American Irish Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Lamb Stew

Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. This lamb stew is rich, comforting, and comes together with almost no effort. Tastes like it took all day—because it did.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Stew

Dutch Oven Pot Roast

This pot roast simmers low and slow until the beef is fall-apart tender. With a deep, rich gravy and plenty of vegetables, it’s exactly the kind of meal you want on a cold night.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Guinness Shepherd’s Pie

Take classic shepherd’s pie up a notch with a Guinness-spiked filling and mashed potatoes mixed with Irish butter and cream. Great with green beans and a pint on the side.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Shepherd’s Pie

Guinness Beef Stew

Slow-cooked beef stew with hearty vegetables and a Guinness-infused broth. If you’re skipping corned beef this year, this is the perfect way to bring Irish flavors to your table.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Beef Stew

Irish Colcannon Potatoes

A mashed potato dish packed with leeks, cabbage, and caramelized onions. A great side for any Irish-inspired dinner and a must-have on St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Irish Colcannon Potatoes

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.