St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world each year in honor of the great Irish cultural traditions. According to Betway, over 80 million people around the world claim Irish ancestry – no wonder St.Paddy’s is such a global phenomenon! One of the best ways to celebrate the Irish heritage is to indulge in the beautiful culinary world of traditional Irish cuisine, aside from enjoying a pint of Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day. Some dishes are so synonymous with the Irish culture that it is difficult to imagine a St. Patrick’s Day celebration without them.

Irish soda bread is one of the most popular Irish comfort foods because of its convenience and ease-of-cooking. The recipe does not use any yeast, using the magic of buttermilk and baking soda instead to help the bread rise, complete with surface scoring to facilitate the process. The fact that it does not require any kneading means that you can make it in a snap to satisfy all your soda bread cravings this St. Patrick’s Day.

Traditional Irish cuisine focuses on the quality of ingredients rather than the quantity. Bacon & Cabbage is a popular Irish delicacy that is a testament to this fact. While some enjoy Cabbage on its own with butter, salt, and pepper, there is nothing better than a heaping bowl of tasty Cabbage mixed with fried Bacon to relish the true spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.

Another Irish favorite, Corned Beef is the ideal Irish staple food that is made by curing the meat in brine and slow-cooking it for hours. The result of the week-long efforts to prepare the meat is a mouth-watering plate of beef that can be enjoyed on its own or served with Cabbage. Corned Beef is the perfect Irish comfort food to eat while celebrating the Irish culture and heritage on St. Patrick’s Day.

Shepherd's Pie is the go-to food for warmth and comfort on cold winter nights. There is nothing better than a warm heaping serving of this delicious meat and potato dish topped with cheese. Add to this a tall glass of classic Irish beer and you have got yourself a wonderful St. Patrick's stay-in.

Colcannon is the ideal Irish staple found as a side to almost every winter dish. The texture of the cabbage compliments the silky, buttery-smooth mashed potatoes to create an amazing dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a meat dish. Different Colcannon recipes substitute the cabbage for kale, leeks, chives, or scallions to compliment the meat, which can be chosen from boiled ham, bacon, sausages, etc.

While you can enjoy these dishes throughout the year, there is something special about eating these Irish staples on St. Patrick’s Day with your family and friends.