Our collection of vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day recipes, from cabbage rolls to shamrock cookies, has festive meatless dishes and plenty of green to celebrate the day.
For a holiday that’s big on tradition, St. Patrick’s Day is surprisingly easy to reimagine without meat, especially when you stick with familiar flavors and dishes, but with a twist. These vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day recipes skip the corned beef, sure, but keep everything else: the cozy spirit of traditional Irish home cooking, just enough green to tip a hat to the shamrock, a little Guinness and recipes made for passing, sharing and celebrating.
This collection includes classic recipes that are naturally meat-free, like raisin-filled Irish soda bread or strong Irish coffee, alongside playful ideas like pot pies and cabbage rolls that use beans and vegetables instead of meat. There are mains and sides, plus fun desserts like Irish cream cupcakes, Guinness floats and a mint-flavored pound cake filled with vibrant shamrocks, so you can plan a full, festive meal or just choose one or two dishes for your table.
Most of our St. Patrick’s Day party recipes can easily be doubled for a large gathering and hold up on the road, so they are great if you are hosting or heading to a potluck. Add a few Irish-inspired cocktails or a sweet, green St. Patrick’s Day dessert, and the menu will be complete. Sláinte!
Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls
Shamrock Cookies
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Homemade Irish Soda Bread
Onion Cheese Soup
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Guinness Float
Rainbow Snack Platter
Irish Cream Cupcakes
Irish Coffee
Potato Leek Soup
Pistachio Salad
Hearty Chickpea Potpie
Malted Chocolate & Stout Layer Cake
Skillet Cabbage
Guinness Chocolate Cake
Cabbage Barley Soup
Rainbow Fruit Salad
Favorite Irish Bread
Sauteed Cabbage
Irish Cream
Rainbow Cake with Clouds
Pistachio Cookies
Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone
Thin Mint Milk Shake
Potato Pan Rolls
Fennel Carrot Soup
Shamrock Cutout Pound Cake
Rainbow Quiche
Buttery Whiskey-Glazed Pearl Onions
Vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day Recipes FAQ
What festive vegetarian dinners can I make for a St. Patrick’s Day party?
Hearty bakes like a veggie pot pie or saucy cabbage rolls with rice and lentils make great vegetarian main dishes for a St. Patrick’s Day party that can easily feed a crowd. These can be baked ahead and warmed just before serving, and they pair nicely with lighter sides like braised leeks or a crisp salad. To complete the menu, consider pairing them with spring vegetarian sides full of green vegetables to keep things bright and festive.
How do you make vegetarian Irish stew?
The easiest way to make vegetarian Irish stew is to replace the meat and broth with veggie options. To do so, start with a traditional Irish Beef Stew, but swap the bacon and beef with additional mushrooms and/or root vegetables, cooking them when directed by the recipe. Then, use mushroom or vegetable broth instead of beef broth. These simple changes let you enjoy a rich Irish stew completely free of animal products.
What vegetarian Irish potato recipes are good for a crowd?
Potatoes are a must-have for any Irish-inspired gathering, and big bowls of mashed potatoes and potato salad or a platter of crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with chives and parsley are easy, crowd-pleasing dishes to make in big batches. Add green onions and cabbage or kale to mashed potatoes for a vegetarian take on colcannon, or just add a hefty dose of rich Irish butter or cheddar for standout spuds. Choose waxy varieties like red potatoes for roasting or starchy ones like russets for mashing, and always season generously.
Are there any green vegetarian recipes for St. Patrick’s Day?
From desserts to sides, you need to have some green-themed vegetarian dishes for St. Patrick’s Day, whether it’s a sprinkle-covered cookie or a platter of bright green asparagus. To achieve green naturally, stick with green vegetables, herbs or pistachios. Sauteed cabbage or garlic-braised greens are verdant and pair well with various mains. A few drops of food coloring in a minty shake or cake batter is an easy way to get that pop of green into desserts.
