A Menu of Authentic Irish Classics

Traditional Irish dishes like corned beef and colcannon make this the perfect meal for St. Patrick's Day.

If you're looking for a mix of traditional Irish flavors to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, you're in luck. This menu features a classic corned beef rounded out by a radish salad and colcannon, the most celebrated of Irish potato dishes. Finish the meal off with a rich chocolate stout cake, preferably made with Guinness.

the menu

Menu Timeline

Up to 2 weeks in advance

Cure the beef (if a whole top round roast)

Up to one week in advance

Make the cake and wrap tightly in plastic wrap while still barely warm (without the glaze)

Four days in advance

Cure the beef (if brisket)

Two hours ahead

Remove the beef from the brine and simmer with the onions, carrots, celery, peppercorns, bay leaves, and parsely stems

One hour to 45 minutes before the meal

Begin making the colcannon
Prepare the vegetables for the salad

Just Before Dinner

Toss and season the salad
Drain and slice the corned beef

Just before dessert

Glaze the cake (if using glaze)

Shopping List

Fresh Produce

2 to 2-1/2 lb. russet or other floury potatoes (5 or 6)
1 head of kale or other cooking greens
10 medium or 12 small red radishes
4 large ribs celery
2 large onions
2 large carrots
4 scallions
1 bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 lemon

Meat, Eggs & Dairy

6-1/2- to 8-1/2-lb. piece boneless brisket, top round or bottom round
3 large eggs
14 oz. (1-3/4 cups) unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
1-1/3 cups milk

Other Groceries

2-1/2 lb. sea salt
1-1/4 cups stout, such as Guinness
2-1/4 oz. (3/4 cup) unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
12 oz. semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup coriander seeds
24 juniper berries
1/3 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)
2 cardamom pods

Pantry Staples

3 cups packed dark brown sugar
1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
7-1/2 oz. (1-2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
12 allspice berries
8 bay leaves
4 whole cloves
2 parsley stems
Kosher salt
Black peppercorns
Freshly ground pepper

Photo: Jason Lowe (Corned Beef); Scott Phillips (Radish & Parsley Salad); Christopher Hirsheimer (Colcannon); and Anna Williams (Chocolate Stout Cake)