Traditional Irish Farmhouse Recipes

Irish cuisine is known for simple, rustic dishes that reflect the country’s agricultural heritage and coastal bounty. Here’s what you can expect from classic Irish recipes…

1. Minimal spicing: traditional Irish dishes rely heavily on herbs like thyme, parsley, and bay leaves, with minimal use of exotic spices, letting the natural flavors of vegetables, meats, and dairy come through. It has a reputation for being bland, but I would call it subtle and comforting!
2. Hearty dishes: meals like Irish stew or Dublin coddle were designed for sustenance, using inexpensive, accessible ingredients—such as lamb, potatoes, and sausages—that could cook slowly over the day to feed large families.
3. Bread without yeast: the Irish developed soda bread as a quick, reliable alternative to yeast-leavened bread. Buttermilk provides both acidity and moisture, giving soda bread its signature tang​.
4. Focus on dairy: dairy farming has been central to the Irish economy for centuries, and butter, cream, and cheeses are heavily represented in Irish recipes.
5. Fresh and seasonal: the coastal geography provides seafood like salmon, mussels, and oysters, while potatoes, root vegetables, and cabbage dominate Irish dishes.
6. Preservation techniques: historically, salting and smoking meats—such as bacon—were vital preservation methods. These techniques live on in dishes like bacon and cabbage, a classic Irish meal.
7. Cultural importance of the potato: the potato became central to Irish cuisine, shaping dishes like boxty, colcannon, and champ (mashed potatoes with green onions). Its significance also reflects the lasting scars of the Great Famine, which profoundly shaped Irish food habits.
8. Simple desserts: like farmhouse apple cake using basic ingredients like flour, butter, eggs, and local fruits.

Here are some of my favorite Irish recipes you can try at home…

IRISH APPLE CAKE

This is an authentic Irish recipe for an old fashioned apple cake, the kind that would be made throughout the apple harvest season all over the country, where every farmhouse has its own prized version of the recipe (no doubt made with their own heirloom apples.) It’s delicious with or without the traditional custard sauce.

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IRISH OATMEAL SODA BREAD

Rustic Irish soda bread made with oatmeal is delicious. It’s a miracle how this easy no-yeast, one bowl recipe bakes up into an authentic, crusty, artisan loaf. Serve for breakfast with butter and jam, or alongside any soup or stew.

INSTANT POT IRISH STEW

The real deal, a classic rich stew made with lamb, potatoes, root veggies, cabbage, and, of course, a good dose of Guinness. If you don’t know where to start with Irish recipes, start here 🙂

CLASSIC FISH PIE

Delicious fish pie topped with mashed potatoes ~ I’m crazy for a great creamy fish pie. You can use all sorts of fish or shellfish in this uber comforting meal.

COTTAGE PIE

Cottage Pie and its cousin Shepherd’s Pie is as traditional as it gets. Cottage pie is usually made with ground beef, while shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb. Today, both shepherd’s pie and cottage pie are commonly found on menus across Ireland and are considered part of the comfort food tradition.

This versatile Irish recipe is perfect for a family meal ~ serve with peas, Brussels sprouts, or a fresh salad.

DUBLIN CODDLE 

One of my favorite of all Irish recipes! Onions, potatoes, sausages, and bacon (basically all the best things) get slow cooked together in this wonderful dish. The name comes from the fact that the ingredients were traditionally coddled or slowly cooked over a long period of time.

TRADITIONAL IRISH LEEK AND POTATO SOUP

Leek and potato soup is a traditional Irish recipe that has been popular in Ireland for many years. Its origins can be traced back to the Irish potato famine of the 1840s, when potatoes and leeks were two of the few ingredients that were readily available.

IRISH SODA SCONES 

For an authentic Irish country breakfast, it doesn’t get more perfect than these scones, some Irish butter, and a dollop of homemade jam. This recipe comes from Darina Allen’s Forgotten Skills of Irish Cooking.

COLCANNON 

Colcannon is a traditional Irish recipe made from mashed potatoes, butter, milk, and seasonal vegetables like cabbage and kale. In some regions, spring onions and bacon might also be added. Colcannon has been a staple in Irish kitchens since the 17th century.

CORNED BEEF

Classic cured beef brisket is perfect for corned beef and cabbage, and deli sandwiches! This Irish recipe does take some time, but it’s so worth it!

CLOTTED CREAM SHORTBREAD

Crisp, buttery shortbread proves that dessert doesn’t have to be decadent to be fabulous. While Ireland can’t lay claim to the invention of shortbread, it’s a hugely popular snack. Irish variations include brown sugar shortbread, and oatmeal shortbread.

HOW TO MAKE IRISH COFFEE

It’s believed that the first Irish coffee was created in the 1940s by a bartender named Joe Sheridan who worked at the Foynes Airbase in County Limerick, Ireland.

GUINNESS BREAD

Have you got a couple of minutes? Why not make this almost too good to be true Guinness bread? Just whisk a few ingredients together in a bowl, pour in a bottle of Guinness, and stir it up. That’s all you need to do! It sounds crazy but the results speak for themselves. (You’ll have just enough time to fix yourself a cup of tea!)

IRISH BROWN BREAD

An ancient whole grain bread with a rustic texture and hearty flavor. This Irish recipe for brown bread has been passed down for generations. Its origin can be traced back to ancient Ireland when the Celts began baking flatbreads made with water and grains.

HOMEMADE IRISH CREAM

Because no Irish recipe round up would be complete without a little tipple ~ cheers!

NO CHURN BAILEY’S ICE CREAM

A dangerously easy no churn ice cream made with Bailey’s Irish Cream! Not sure if this is a traditional Irish recipe, but it should be! The history of Bailey’s Irish Cream dates back to 1974, when it was first introduced by a man named Tom Jago. He was inspired to create this unique cream liqueur after trying a concoction of whiskey, cream, and coffee made in a bar in Ireland.

SPOTTED DOG

My Irish recipe for Spotted Dog Soda Bread with plump raisins and currants is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you crave a quick warm slice of bread.

GUINNESS CAKE WITH IRISH CREAM FROSTING

If you thought Guinness cake was just a cute idea for St. Patrick’s Day, think again. Long story short, Guinness makes a better chocolate cake!

IRISH FISH CAKES WITH 30 SECOND TARTAR SAUCE

These fish cakes are made extra light and fluffy with mashed potatoes. And of course the creamy homemade tartar sauce takes them over the top. This kind of crispy fish cake is often served as a snack in pubs.

FARMHOUSE SHEPHERD’S PIE

Farmhouse Shepherd’s Pie is a rustic Irish casserole with ground lamb, gravy, and veggies topped with a cheddar mash — it’s the ultimate comfort food.

BOXTY

A traditional Northern Irish potato cake made quick and easy in your cast iron skillet. Irish Boxty can be served with butter, bacon, sausage, or eggs and can be eaten as an accompaniment to a main meal or as a light snack.

GUINNESS BEEF AND ONION POT PIE

This beef and onion pot pie with potato topping looks like it would be right at home on an Irish farmhouse table. Cooking with Guinness beer can add a rich and complex flavor to so many different kinds of dishes ~ I always keep a few bottles in my pantry.

IRISH BREAD PUDDING WITH WHISKEY CARAMEL SAUCE

Transform a plain loaf of bread into a sumptuous dessert by making classic bread pudding. I think I need to start putting whiskey caramel sauce on everything!

OVERNIGHT STEEL CUT OATS WITH WHISKEY BUTTER

This Irish style porridge is a fantastic way to treat house guests — or your own family — to a cozy, bed & breakfast style morning with little effort. Healthy porridge or oatmeal has been a staple of the Irish diet for centuries.

CHEDDAR AND BACON IRISH SODA BREAD

A colorful ‘bacony’ twist on a simple Irish recipe for no-yeast soda bread. The habit of adding a little bit of bacon is a frugal way to enrich recipes and is classically Irish.

Irish recipe resources

Want to put more authentic Irish food on your table? Check out these books for more gorgeous, traditional Irish recipes

1. The Irish Cookbook by JP McMahon
   • A comprehensive collection with 480 recipes that showcase Ireland’s culinary heritage and ingredients. This book offers a mix of traditional dishes and modern takes.
     View on Amazon
2. Irish Traditional Cooking: Over 300 Recipes from Ireland’s Heritage by Darina Allen
   • A classic guide featuring traditional Irish recipes, complemented by cultural insights and cooking techniques.
     View on Amazon
3. The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook by Parragon Books
   • This cookbook captures the essence of pub fare, with a variety of recipes ranging from hearty stews to savory pies and Irish desserts.
     View on Amazon
4. My Irish Table: Recipes from the Homeland and Restaurant Eve by Cathal Armstrong
   • This book blends modern Irish cooking with stories from the author’s culinary journey from Dublin to Washington, DC.
     View on Amazon
5. The Farmette Cookbook: Recipes and Adventures from My Life on an Irish Farm by Imen McDonnell
   • Combining traditional Irish recipes with stories from farm life, this book offers a unique glimpse into rural Ireland.
     View on Amazon
6. The Country Cooking of Ireland by Colman Andrews
   • This award-winning cookbook explores Irish culinary traditions with over 250 authentic recipes, celebrating the heart and soul of rural Irish cooking.
     View on Amazon

These cookbooks provide a blend of authentic Irish recipes and modern culinary twists, making them ideal for anyone looking to explore the full range of Irish cuisine, from traditional fare to contemporary innovations.