20 Traditional Irish Side Dishes

If you enjoy potatoes, bacon, and cabbage, this list of classic Irish side dishes is one you won’t want to miss. 

There’s no one better than the Irish when it comes to making potatoes, but potatoes aren’t the only things they know how to cook right.

For example, Irish chefs make killer bread. They also know their way around a plate of seafood, thanks to being surrounded on most sides by saltwater.

For this list, I’ve tried to incorporate a variety of dishes, although I admit I might have gone a little heavy on the potato dishes.

What can I say? It’s Ireland! They’re good at potatoes.

1. Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes)

If you love mashed potatoes, you probably shouldn’t try Irish mashed potatoes. 

Okay, you should; they’re delicious. However, regular mashed potatoes may never be enough for you again.

These are insanely buttery, and the half-and-half makes them sooooo creamy. They’re pretty much heavenly, even more so with garlic.

2. Irish Soda Bread

With this recipe, you can make dense, tasty bread with a perfectly crispy exterior, no yeast required.

Despite the crispy crust, the bread’s inside is quite tender. It’s a fantastic combination.

If you want, you can add the optional cup of raisins, but honestly, this bread doesn’t need them. It’s phenomenal all on its own.

3. Champ

I’ll be honest. I have no idea why this spectacular bowl of mashed potatoes is called champ, but I like to think it’s because my family thinks I’m a champ when I make it. 

Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that this side dish is so good that it puts main courses to shame. 

It’s just creamy, buttery mashed potatoes full of green onions, but it tastes unbelievably incredible. The scallions make all the difference.

4. Colcannon Puffs

Crispy on the outside, warm and tender on the inside, and full of kale and garlic goodness… where do I sign up?! 

These take a while to make, so go ahead and double the recipe because you will not want to share.

5. Irish Mushroom and Potato Soup

This velvety soup is so thick; you’ll almost swear it was a dip of some kind.

It isn’t, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste incredible when slathered over your favorite crusty bread.

Full of mushrooms, celery, leeks, carrots, and other healthy things, it’s also surprisingly good for you.

6. Irish Cheddar and Bacon Soda Bread

Remember that tender, crispy soda bread I mentioned earlier? Picture that, only packed with bacon, scallions, and cheddar.

Yes, it’s almost impossible to stop eating it.

7. Irish Style Coleslaw

Irish coleslaw is relatively similar to American coleslaw, but it’s creamier, sweeter, and about 10 times better. 

There’s something about the Greek yogurt, heavy whipping cream, and absence of vinegar that sets it miles ahead of its American counterpart. 

8. Irish Fried Cabbage and Bacon

This recipe is a testament to the fact that anything tastes great if you put enough bacon in it. 

It takes less than 30 minutes to make, and even if you hate cabbage, the addition of bacon and brown sugar will quickly change your mind. 

9. Rumbledethumps (Potato, Cabbage and Cheese Gratin)

Rumbledethumps is where mashed potatoes and scalloped potatoes overlap. 

Traditionally offered as a side dish, it’s so well-loved in many households that some people serve it as an all-in-one meal (a la casserole-style). 

Made with potatoes, cheese, chives, and cabbage, it is pretty filling. 

10. Irish-Style Roasted Potatoes

The Irish don’t do things by half-measures. To roast potatoes Irish-style, you’ll roast whole potatoes.

There’s none of this chopping, slicing, and dicing nonsense involved.

The result is beautiful, golden-brown potatoes with exceptionally crispy skins and just enough pepper to taste. 

You can use other seasonings if you like (garlic’s always good), but they aren’t necessary.

11. Baked Cabbage with Bacon

With only seven ingredients and 10 minutes of prep work, you can make the best cabbage dish you’ll ever eat. 

Baked cabbage has much more flavor than boiled cabbage, and once you top it with garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and bacon, you’ll have a dish that rivals any on the table.

12. Irish Brown Bread

Irish brown bread is really just the darker cousin of Irish soda bread, but you’ll add a half-cup of rolled oats and some molasses to it. 

It’s just as dense and crumbly, but there’s a hint of sweetness just under the surface.

13. Irish Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

These potatoes are a cheesy, gooey, delicious mess.

Add some onions, herbs and seasonings, and fresh parsley, and you’ll have a dish everyone at the table will be fighting over.

14. Irish Pasties

What could be better than a warm, flaky pastry crust stuffed with perfectly seasoned roast beef and tender potatoes? 

Oh! Right! 

Those same pasties smothered in homemade beef gravy! Mmmmm… 

15. Waterford Blaas

These rolls are an Irish tradition, and if you’ve never had them, you’re missing out on something great. 

They’re pillowy soft and deliciously floury. They taste wonderful with just about anything but are best when smothered in butter.

16. Irish Oatmeal Bread

Homemade bread can be intimidating, but this loaf is easier to make than some.

Plus, it looks gorgeous. It has this striking swirled center, and it’s the most lovely color. 

And if all that isn’t enough to make you want to give it a try, it also tastes fantastic and is a decent source of fiber and protein.

17. Sauteed Cabbage

Sauteed cabbage isn’t my favorite thing on this list, but you absolutely cannot beat it for convenience. 

All you’ll need is cabbage, salt, pepper, water, and butter, and you can make it in 10 minutes flat.

Dinner side dishes don’t get much easier than that.

18. Shamrock Salad

For this salad, grab every green you can find. Cook them until they’re tender but still crispy. 

Then mix them and add some homemade, four-ingredient dressing. It’s not quite as simple as the sauteed cabbage, but it’s close.

19. Shamrock Crackers

These are just baked spinach wraps cut with cookie cutters and salted, but if you’re looking for the perfect St. Patrick’s Day treats, these are ideal.

They’re adorable! They’re green and look like tiny shamrocks. If that doesn’t make you smile, nothing will.

Bonus: They’re also delightfully crunchy and taste fantastic with salsa.

20. Irish Stacked Potato Bites

These bite-sized stacks of pure bliss are potatoes covered with potatoes that are covered with still more potatoes, then topped with cheese, and finally, even more potatoes on top!

You’ll also use some butter, garlic, heavy cream, salt, and pepper, but admit it; I had you hooked by the third “potatoes,” didn’t I? 

If somehow all those taters weren’t enticing enough, you can also top them with chives or scallions.