22 Make-Ahead St Patrick’s Day Recipes That Save Time

Introduction

Planning a St Patrick’s Day menu doesn’t have to mean spending all day in the kitchen. These make-ahead recipes are designed to be prepped early, stored easily, and served with confidence when it’s time to celebrate. From cozy mains to simple sides and sweet treats, each dish saves time while keeping flavors comforting and festive.

---

1. Make-Ahead Irish Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 900 g beef chuck, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 750 ml beef stock
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown beef in batches.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste and thyme.
4. Add vegetables and stock.
5. Simmer covered at 160°C for 2½ hours.
   Prep tip: Cool completely before refrigerating up to 3 days.

How to Serve It

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with warm bread.

---

2. Creamy Colcannon Mash

Ingredients

• 1 kg potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 200 g green cabbage, finely sliced
• 60 g butter
• 120 ml warm milk
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Steam cabbage for 5 minutes.
3. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
4. Fold in cabbage and salt.
   Prep tip: Store covered up to 2 days.

How to Serve It

Add a small butter pat just before serving.

---

3. Baked Irish Chicken and Herbs

Ingredients

• 1.2 kg chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C.
2. Rub chicken with oil and herbs.
3. Bake covered for 35 minutes, uncover 10 minutes more.
   Prep tip: Cool and refrigerate up to 2 days.

How to Serve It

Serve with roasted vegetables or mash.

---

4. Irish Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 150 g peas
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 600 g mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. Cook vegetables in oil for 8 minutes.
2. Stir in tomato paste.
3. Spread in baking dish, top with mash.
4. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
   Prep tip: Assemble and chill unbaked for 24 hours.

How to Serve It

Top with chopped herbs before serving.

---

5. Slow-Cooked Lamb and Root Vegetables

Ingredients

• 900 g lamb shoulder, cubed
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 potatoes, chopped
• 750 ml stock
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7 hours.
   Prep tip: Refrigerate up to 3 days.

How to Serve It

Serve over mash or with crusty bread.

---

6. Make-Ahead Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 450 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 360 ml buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Mix dry ingredients.
3. Stir in buttermilk.
4. Bake 35–40 minutes.
   Prep tip: Cool fully before storing.

How to Serve It

Slice and warm briefly before serving.

---

7. Irish Cheddar Potato Casserole

Ingredients

• 900 g potatoes, sliced
• 200 g Irish cheddar, grated
• 250 ml cream
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Layer potatoes and cheese.
2. Pour cream over layers.
3. Bake at 180°C for 50 minutes.
   Prep tip: Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.

How to Serve It

Add chopped chives before serving.

---

8. Braised Cabbage with Apples

Ingredients

• 1 green cabbage, sliced
• 2 apples, sliced
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add cabbage and apples.
3. Cover and cook 25 minutes.
   Prep tip: Store chilled up to 3 days.

How to Serve It

Serve warm alongside mains.

---

9. Irish Oatmeal Bread

Ingredients

• 250 g oats
• 250 g flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 360 ml buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C.
2. Mix dry ingredients.
3. Add buttermilk.
4. Bake 40 minutes.
   Prep tip: Wrap tightly once cooled.

How to Serve It

Serve with butter and jam.

---

10. Irish Carrot and Parsnip Mash

Ingredients

• 500 g carrots
• 500 g parsnips
• 50 g butter
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Boil vegetables until tender.
2. Mash with butter and salt.
3. Cool before storing.
   Prep tip: Refrigerate up to 2 days.

How to Serve It

Top with fresh herbs.

---

11. Beef and Onion Hand Pies

Ingredients

• 500 g cooked beef, diced
• 1 onion, caramelized
• 2 pie crusts

Instructions

1. Fill pastry rounds with beef mixture.
2. Seal edges.
3. Bake at 190°C for 25 minutes.
   Prep tip: Freeze unbaked up to 1 month.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with mustard.

---

12. Irish Pea and Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 500 g peas
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 750 ml stock

Instructions

1. Simmer all ingredients 25 minutes.
2. Blend until smooth.
   Prep tip: Chill up to 3 days.

How to Serve It

Top with fresh herbs.

---

13. Irish Apple Crumble

Ingredients

• 4 apples, sliced
• 100 g flour
• 80 g butter
• 60 g sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Layer apples in dish.
3. Top with crumble.
4. Bake 40 minutes.
   Prep tip: Store covered.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with cream.

---

14. Irish Cheese and Herb Scones

Ingredients

• 300 g flour
• 150 g grated cheddar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 100 ml milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Mix ingredients.
3. Bake 18 minutes.
   Prep tip: Freeze baked scones.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with butter.

---

15. Irish Mushroom and Onion Gravy

Ingredients

• 250 g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500 ml stock

Instructions

1. Cook mushrooms and onion.
2. Add stock and simmer 20 minutes.
   Prep tip: Chill up to 3 days.

How to Serve It

Pour over mash or pies.

---

16. Irish Lemon Oat Bars

Ingredients

• 200 g oats
• 150 g flour
• 100 g butter
• Lemon zest

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Press base into pan.
3. Bake 30 minutes.
   Prep tip: Store airtight.

How to Serve It

Slice and dust lightly with sugar.

---

17. Irish Potato Farls

Ingredients

• 500 g mashed potatoes
• 120 g flour
• Salt

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients.
2. Shape and chill.
3. Pan-cook 4 minutes per side.
   Prep tip: Chill dough overnight.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with butter.

---

18. Irish Green Vegetable Bake

Ingredients

• 300 g broccoli
• 150 g peas
• 150 g grated cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Mix vegetables and cheese.
3. Bake 25 minutes.
   Prep tip: Assemble early.

How to Serve It

Serve hot as a side.

---

19. Irish Honey Oat Cookies

Ingredients

• 200 g oats
• 120 g flour
• 100 g butter
• 80 g honey

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175°C.
2. Mix ingredients.
3. Bake 12–14 minutes.
   Prep tip: Store airtight.

How to Serve It

Serve with tea.

---

20. Irish Spinach and Potato Bake

Ingredients

• 700 g potatoes, sliced
• 200 g spinach
• 250 ml cream

Instructions

1. Layer potatoes and spinach.
2. Pour cream over.
3. Bake 180°C for 45 minutes.
   Prep tip: Chill overnight.

How to Serve It

Slice and serve warm.

---

21. Irish Berry Tray Bake

Ingredients

• 300 g mixed berries
• 200 g flour
• 100 g butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Spread berries in pan.
3. Add batter and bake 35 minutes.
   Prep tip: Store covered.

How to Serve It

Slice and serve at room temperature.

---

22. Irish Buttered Root Vegetables

Ingredients

• 500 g carrots
• 500 g parsnips
• 3 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Toss vegetables with butter.
3. Roast 40 minutes.
   Prep tip: Reheat covered.

How to Serve It

Serve alongside mains.

---

Conclusion

These make-ahead St Patrick’s Day recipes let you enjoy the celebration without kitchen stress. Prep them early, store them with ease, and focus on sharing good food and good moments. Save your favorites, pass them along, and make your holiday cooking calm and enjoyable.