34 Irish Side Dishes That'll Beat Boiled Cabbage Every Time (2024)

Can’t decide between a crispy latke and a pile of creamy mashed potatoes? Make boxty. Crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy in the center, these Irish potato pancakes give you the best of both iconic potato dishes in a single bite.

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If you want to venture into the world of cabbage that goes beyond corned beef or coleslaw, try this fried cabbage on for size. Hearty and flavorful, it only requires 5 ingredients (if you don't count the salt and pepper). Plus, one of those ingredients is bacon! This simple recipe might just convert even the most ardent of cabbage haters.

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Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made of creamy mashed potatoes and some green veggie, usually cabbage or kale. Here, we opt for a scallion and kale combo for vibrant color and deeper, nuttier flavors, but feel free to get creative—try folding in Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or even kimchi!

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Yorkshire puddings are a savory UK pastry similar to popovers (but made with beef fat instead of butter). Be warned: They deflate fast, so serve them right away!

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What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than cooking traditional pub fare? Think of this like British bangers & mash, but with distinctive Irish heritage and flair. They're incredible as a meal all together, but these flavorful sausages, mashed potatoes, and onion gravy also make incredible sides for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

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This quick bread (meaning no yeast or rise) has a dense yet tender interior that’s as good for dipping into a creamy winter soup as it is for turning into a corned beef sandwich. Don't forget the Irish butter!

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Parsnips don't get nearly the attention they deserve in the United States, but Ireland is ALL about them. They know that roasting them makes them slightly sweet and perfectly tender for a quick side dish you might just love more than potatoes.

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Think about when something creamy hits your mouth at the same time as something crispy—YUM! This recipe is the perfect example of that satisfying texture combo: Hot, crispy potatoes are spooned onto a billowy cloud of whipped feta, then showered with lemon zest and fresh herbs. It doesn’t get much better than that.

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Don’t overlook the humble cabbage! It’s a natural flavor absorber that pairs well with punchy, intense ingredients (think kimchi), but we also think it can stand up and shine all on its own.

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Creamed spinach is a simple side dish that is also the perfect way to use up an abundance of dying spinach. The creaminess will make you forget you're eating greens!

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A quick side dish is always appreciated, especially one as easy as this. It goes well with your steak dinners, your , or your vegan meatloaf, but if you really love your peas and carrots, you could just eat this in one sitting, as a meal (we have! 😉).

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With chewy gnocchi, crisp-tender asparagus, and a light cream sauce imbued with smoky bacon, this is suspiciously delicious for a dish that takes well under an hour. Eat it as a side, or as your main meal.

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Because of its simple flavor profile, this low-lift, low-carb recipe pairs well with almost everything. Use it like sauerkraut and pair it with sweet and savory pork or sausage, or stick to the vegetarian route with a or mashed potatoes. You really can’t go wrong!

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This gorgeous, whole-roasted stunner is the perfect holiday substitute for vegetarians, either as a side or a main. It's savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super-tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.

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As you might expect, this beer cheese soup is epically creamy thanks to three—yes, really, three!—cups of cheddar. The broth is mostly chicken broth, but there is also a bottle of pilsner or lager in there to lend savory, tangy depth to each bite. Yum!

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While many recipes using leeks call for discarding the tougher, more fibrous green tops, we reserve them, slice 'em real thin, and stir-fry them until crispy and golden. Sprinkled with a little salt, fried leek greens transform an otherwise fine bowl of soup into an outstanding one.

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Beer pulls double-duty here, serving both as a boost to the leaveners and the flavor of the bread. Beer bread can be a delicious accompaniment to any hearty soup, makes for a killer lunch or dinner sandwich, and is delicious enough to stand on its own with a simple slather of butter.

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