No matter where you are, there’s always a celebration to be had on St. Patrick’s Day. Here in Chicago, we like to dye our river green and make the entire city into one massive party—when it’s safe, of course. Though it may be difficult to throw our usual St. Patrick’s Day party this year, we’ve still got you covered for the verdant event.
As you may already know, Costco is definitely the place to go when it comes to preparing for get-togethers. We’ll need something to eat with our Irish beer—why not some classic Irish soda bread?
Irish I Had This Bread All Year Long
If you’ve never had Irish soda bread before, you are absolutely missing out.
It’s a quick bread that uses sodium bicarbonate instead of yeast. All other ingredients are mostly the same, including flour, baking soda, salt and milk. The texture is usually made up of a hearty, thick crust with a soft, fluffy middle. It’s hard to explain, but trust me, it’s good stuff.
Costco’s Irish soda bread is made by Nellie Duncan and comes in 2.5 pound loaves. That’s more than enough for a small gathering. Besides, it’s even better a few days later! Pair this bread with some famous Kerrygold butter.
Does It Cost a Pot of Gold?
Luckily, no! A single loaf only runs you $5.99. With a deal like that, you might catch me grabbing an extra to keep in the freezer, too! Check your local Costco warehouse for these guys before they completely sell out.
One bite of this moist, colorful cake and you'll think you've found the pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow. It's the perfect St. Patrick's Day dessert to round out your feast. —Marge Nicol, Shannon, Illinois. Looking for more? Take a look at these delicious green desserts.
Get Recipe
Don't forget to make a baked corned beef for your gathering!
You don't have to wait until St. Patrick's Day to enjoy this easy Reuben appetizer. Deli meat and cheese make it doable year-round. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Here's a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh, so good. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
My husband and I are big fans of Irish cream, so I wanted to incorporate it into a brownie. I started with my mom's brownie recipe, then added frosting and ganache. These decadent treats are the result, and we really enjoy them! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
This fluffy pistachio salad is a real treat since it's creamy but not overly sweet. It's easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas
My son Gabriel loves surprises inside cakes, like seeing a shamrock when this St. Patrick's Day cake is sliced. Everyone wants to know how it’s done. — Angela Lively, Spring, Texas.
When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana
A line forms quickly behind this quichelike torte at family gatherings. The wedges are easy to eat as finger food, and it's delicious hot or cold. — Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
People say "Wow!" when they taste these flavorful, tangy horseradish deviled eggs. The bold combination of ground mustard, dill and horseradish is so appealing. The plate is always emptied when I serve these eggs. —Ruth Roth, Linville, North Carolina
It's impossible to stop nibbling on warm pieces of this cheesy, oniony bread. The sliced loaf fans out for a fun presentation. It's one of the best savory appetizers I've found. —Kay Daly, Raleigh, North Carolina
These St. Patrick's Day cupcakes go super-quick. The pistachio pudding mix gives them a mild flavor and their pretty pastel color makes them a perfect dessert for this lively holiday. —Kathy Meyer, Almond, Wisconsin
Fans of the classic Reuben sandwich will go crazy for baked pastry spirals of corned beef, Swiss and sauerkraut. They're so easy to make, and bottled Thousand Island dressing makes the perfect dipping sauce. —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland
One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds me of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
Splash some color into your spread with these multi-hued cupcakes. Each is a simple white cake, but tinting the batter all the colors of the rainbow makes them funky and fun!— Gwyndolyn Wilkerson, Kyle, Texas
For a simple hot snack that really hits the spot on a cool fall evening, put together a plate of these crisp potato skins. —Andrea Holcomb, Torrington, Connecticut
Always popular at special events and a cinch to prep, this is one of my favorite ways to use leftover veggies. You can change the mixture to match your kids' tastes, and it's just as yummy the next day. —Heather Ahrens, Columbus, Ohio
This slow-cooked spread tastes just like the popular Reuben sandwich. Even when I double the recipe, I end up with an empty dish. —Mary Jane Kimmes, Hastings, Minnesota
I was given a bottle of Irish cream liqueur as a gift and had leftover peppermint candy, so I created this delicious trifle. It's always rich and decadent. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
I'm always looking for new ways to combine fun flavors, and what goes together better than beer and pretzels? Not much that I can think of. That’s why I put them together into one delicious recipe. —Alyssa Wilhite, Whitehouse, Texas
The fresh flavors of the salmon and herbs are just unbeatable. I serve these as full-size burgers on kaiser rolls, too. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
If you want a dessert that will take the cake at a St. Patrick's Day celebration, look no further! The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and has a nice malt flavor that's perfectly complemented by the Irish cream frosting. —Jennifer Wayland, Morris Plains, New Jersey
When a college classmate and I threw a party for our professor, a friend contributed these savory appetizers. Everyone in the class requested the recipe before the party was done. Try the cups with chicken instead of ham if you'd like.
-Brandi Ladner
Gulfport, Mississippi
I never thought of using waffle-cut fries as a scoop for dip until a friend of mine did at a baby shower. They’re ideal for my cheesy bacon and chive dip, which tastes just like a baked potato topper. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
It's a hit at state fairs everywhere, but you can make this salty-sweet concoction at home. Some say bacon is perfect as is, but chocolate makes everything better! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I make these tempting little tarts frequently for parties. They disappear at an astonishing speed, so I usually double or triple the recipe. The salmon-cream cheese filling and flaky crust will melt in your mouth. —Fran Rowland, Phoenix, Arizona
These crisp-tender patties are a nice alternative to crab cakes and taste very similar, thanks to the seafood seasoning. They always get gobbled up! —Kelly Maxwell, Plainfield, Illinois
This special appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear at the buffet table. It's attractive, delicious—and easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
People can't get enough of these pop-in-your-mouth mini frittatas. They're a cinch to make, freeze well and the recipe easily doubles for a crowd. —Nancy Statkevicus, Tucson, Arizona
Get ready for fluffy lemon-lime goodness. My family calls it "flop Jell-O" because most of the time a clear gelatin layer that tastes like lemon-lime soda falls to the bottom of the dish. Try it with any flavor gelatin! —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota
Some people like this cheesy dip so much that they can't tear themselves away from the appetizer table to eat their dinner. But can you blame them? With two kinds of cheese and sweet onions in the mix, this ultra creamy dip is unforgettable. —Mona Zignego, Hartford, Wisconsin
You won't need the help of lucky little elves to ready this refreshing lime concoction. Cheery garnishes can be fixed in a wink to dress up each guest's glass. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A handy cookie cutter shapes these sensational sweets. With a hint of mint flavor, these shamrock cookies are especially yummy with cocoa or chocolate milk. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
My best friend, Rita, shared this irresistible Irish soda bread recipe. It bakes up high, with a golden brown top and a combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Jan Alfano, Prescott, Arizona
This coconut cake is good any time of the year, but the color is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. The secret is adding instant pistachio pudding mix into the cake mix and the frosting. —Dora May Meredith, Rockford, Illinois
This homemade pie has all the goodness classic Reuben sandwich in a form that will feed a crowd. It has a cheesy sauce, and smells so wonderful coming out of the oven. —Tracy Miller, Wakeman, Ohio
Some cakes stand on their own without icing. For this bright Rainbow Cake, use a little whipped cream to make fluffy clouds. —Janet Tigchelaar, Jerseyville, Ontario
One of my favorite things to whip up in the kitchen is homemade buttermilk biscuits. Simple sandwiches are a wonderful way to showcase these melt-in-your-mouth treats. —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Talk about a sugar-and-spice treat! Just try to stop eating these toasty, roasty snack nuts. “They’re also great sprinkled on all kinds of salads.”
Anne Leslie - Chandler, IN
It may be the most famous dish to eat on St. Patrick's Day, but this Irish-American corned beef recipe is a favorite at our table all year long. This is how to make corned beef and cabbage. —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey
For a bake sale last year, I wanted to try something different. I’d seen chocolate popcorn in a candy shop and thought I’d try making it. This recipe was a great success. —Mary Schmittinger, Colgate, Wisconsin
Get the scoop on making a standout guacamole. A handful of chopped celery adds some fun crunch in this avocado dip—everyone’s favorite fiesta starter. —Catherine Cassidy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This elegant hors d'oeuvre is almost effortless. Use fresh herbs if possible, and feel free to sub in whole wheat phyllo. —Lisa Diehl, Edina, Minnesota
Our family adores broccoli casserole. I wanted to try it as an appetizer, so I used a pecan tassie recipe for the crust. The result? We’re talking scrumptious. —Gail Gaiser, Ewing, New Jersey
My tangy, smoky dip won the top prize in our office party recipe contest. Other beers can work for this, but be sure to steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Whether it's for a charcuterie board or served solo, these delightful appetizers are easy to make and delicious. Simply spread herbed cream cheese onto round crackers. With a citrus zester, cut strips of skin from 1 mini cucumber for stems. Cut additional mini cucumbers into thin slices; cut each slice into fourths. For the clover leaves, arrange 4 pieces of sliced cucumber. Add the cucumber skin stems. Place dill sprigs at base for grass. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Appetizers really don’t get any easier than this. These shooters can be made ahead, they’re colorful, and they won’t weigh you down. Top with a small dollop of yogurt for a little more tang. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California
I love a Reuben sandwich, so I tried the fillings in a pizza pocket instead of on rye bread. This hand-held dinner is a big winner at our house. —Nickie Frye, Evansville, Indiana
These little gems are easy, impressive and delicious. They are ridiculously easy and inexpensive to make. Seriously, you will look like a total rock star when you serve these! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
These tiny, tangy appetizers have broad appeal. I prepare them often for holiday gatherings, weddings and family reunions. They're convenient to serve at parties since the sauce can be made ahead and then reheated with the franks before serving. —Lucille Howell, Portland, Oregon
This appetizer is delicious, easy and pretty, too! Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. The spread keeps for several days, so it's great for making in advance for a party. But once you put it out, it won't last long! —Maire Macy, Fort Collins, Colorado
Roasted red peppers and ricotta cheese give these pastry puffs delicious flavor, while parsley and oregano add a little spark. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
Here’s a real crowd-pleaser for an appetizer table or brunch buffet. A whole piece of crispy bacon is rolled into each spiral. It's so good with the apricot preserves, which make it a sweet-and-salty treat. —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan
Among my friends I'm known as the pork master, because I love to cook just about every cut there is. These appetizers combine soft, mild Brie cheese with a sweet-sour bacon jam that has a touch of Sriracha sauce. —Rick Pascocello, New York, New York
I love Reubens, so I turned the classic sandwich into a fun appetizer with corned beef and sauerkraut on waffle fries. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Lots of holiday treats are sweet. For a change of pace, I fill goodie bags with my cheese crackers. The recipe has a large yield, but you can freeze the dough logs to bake later. —Heather Necessary, Shamokin Dan, Pennsylvania
Frozen mini phyllo tart shells are so convenient and easy to use. Just add a savory filling featuring sun-dried tomatoes and bacon, then pop them in the oven.—Patricia Quinn, Omaha, Nebraska
We use creme de menthe liqueur (the term means "mint cream" in French) to add a cool touch to these impressive mascarpone-frosted cupcakes. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Having always wanted a career in writing, Melany couldn't have found a better place than Taste of Home to begin. When she's not scribbling in her notebook or working at her computer, she can be found experimenting with new recipes or relaxing with a book and her cats.
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