St. Paddy’s Day Done Right: Homemade Corned Beef

Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. The time of year when everyone suddenly claims a little Irish heritage and gets a free pass to pinch strangers.

Let’s start with a dish that’s as traditional as a leprechaun’s pot o’ gold: Corned Beef.

But wait—don’t rush out and grab that pre-packaged, questionably pink brisket from the store. Making your own corned beef from scratch is not only doable—it’s way better. 

Here’s a wee bit of history for you.

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, honors Ireland’s patron saint, a guy famous for supposedly driving snakes out of Ireland (spoiler: there were never any snakes to begin with). Originally, this was a solemn religious holiday in Ireland, but leave it to us Americans to turn it into an all-out feast-and-festivity affair.

And corned beef?

Believe it or not, it’s not a staple in Ireland. The Irish in the homeland traditionally ate pork. When Irish immigrants came to the U.S., beef was cheaper and more available, so they started brining brisket with salt (the “corns” in corned beef, not the yellow vegetable). There is no corn in corned beef.

Fast forward to today, and boom—it’s the go-to dish for celebrating all things Irish.

But if you really want to honor traditional Irish flavors, check out these two classic pork-based Irish dishes:

• Irish or Dublin Coddle: A hearty, slow-simmered dish made with pork sausages, thick-cut bacon, potatoes, and onions.
• Boxty with Bacon: Boxty is an Irish potato pancake, crispy on the outside and soft inside. 

If you’ve got an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can have homemade corned beef ready tonight.

That means no artificial junk, no preservatives—just a beautifully brined brisket that’ll put any store-bought version to shame. And if you don’t have a pressure cooker you can also use the crockpot or oven.

Get the full from-scratch printable corned beef recipe here.

Now, you’ve got your perfectly brined brisket.

How about some delicious side dish options to go with it?

• Warm Brussels Sprout Slaw with Bacon & Juniper Berries: Brussels sprouts are not most peoples favorite, but when you shred ’em up, sauté them in bacon grease and toss in a few juniper berries? Mmmmm! It’s smoky, tangy, and the perfect balance to that rich corned beef. Don’t have juniper berries? Rosemary make a terrific substitute.

• Rustic Roasted Root Veggies: Potatoes are an Irish staple. You could do your traditional mashed potatoes, but try roasting a medley of carrots, parsnips, and turnips with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a dash of rosemary. Earthy, sweet, and downright delicious.

• Buttered Steamed Cabbage with Garlic & Herbs: Skip the boiled cabbage. Gently steaming cabbage keeps it tender while preserving its natural sweetness. Toss with melted butter, minced garlic, sea salt, and fresh herbs like thyme or parsley. This dish is easy enough to whip up while everything else is cooking! 

Now, no meal’s complete without something sweet, right? Try these two Irish-inspired treats that skip the processed sugar overload:

• Irish Apple Cake with Honey & Oats: Think of this as a cozy, old-world take on apple pie—dense, slightly crumbly, and lightly sweetened with honey. A dollop of fresh cream on top? Perfection.

• Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Honey Truffles: Nothing fancy here—just dark chocolate melted down, mixed with raw honey, a pinch of sea salt, and rolled into bite-sized bliss. Rich, decadent, and full of antioxidants.

This St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate by making corned beef from scratch and pairing it with real, wholesome sides, you’re not just feasting—you’re honoring history, tradition, and the beauty of knowing exactly where your food comes from.

Grab your favorite people, pour yourself a mug of herbal tea or a Guinness, and enjoy a meal that’s truly worth celebrating.