10 Deliciously Simple Irish Recipes

Zippy Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is traditionally made with ground lamb, and cottage pie is made with ground beef. Both were originally devised to use up leftover roast meat from a Sunday dinner. This recipe is particularly easy and fast to make.

Fabulous Fried Cabbage

"My mother used to make this and sprinkle red wine vinegar on with lots of salt and pepper," Karen Coyne Downes says.

• Our 15 Most Popular Cabbage Recipes

Cheesy Potato Cakes

Boxty is an Irish fried potato cake, made with grated raw potatoes, flour, and sometimes cheese. It's best served hot and crispy, straight off the pan.

Irish Breakfast

Yes, it is a breakfast recipe, but the Irish fry can be eaten at any time of the day. Indeed, it is often enjoyed at super or "tea-time," which is usually around 6 p.m. An Irish fry is best enjoyed with a large pot of black tea.

• How to Brew the Perfect Pot of Tea

Potato Scones

These potato scones are often served with an Irish fry and are called potato farls in Ireland.

Colcannon

In Ireland, colcannon was mainly served at Halloween, but nowadays it is eaten throughout the year. The secret to this dish is plenty of real Irish salty butter. This potato dish can be made into a meal by adding some cooked bacon on the side. Try this easy, mess-free way to cook a big batch of bacon.

• 8 Ways to Make Irish Colcannon

Irish Soda Bread

You won't believe how simple it is to make a soda bread until you try it. Unlike most bread, soda bread doesn't require lengthy proofing, kneading, or any special skill. This recipe is ready in less than an hour.

Irish Bacon and Cabbage Soup

If you are craving something with the flavor of bacon and cabbage without too much effort, this soup is for you. A few slices of salty pancetta adds a great depth of flavor.

Irish Champ

"Looks similar to colcannon, but champ is native to the North of Ireland. It's made by blending scallions or green onions with creamy mashed potatoes," recipe contributor Ita says. "Great on its own, served steaming hot with extra butter which will melt through it. But it's also the perfect side dish for good quality sausages."

Irish Steaks

"I made this tonight for my Irish wife. It turned out wonderful," Tommy Jordan says. "The recipe doesn't specify, but I used yellow sweet onions rather than white and I was very pleased with the sweet caramelized results. My wife is hard to please because she's such a great cook herself, and she loved it."