What To Serve With Irish Stew This St Paddy’s Day!

Piping hot, massively satisfying, and a nostalgic nod to the comfort of home for so many, a good Irish stew is the ultimate in comfort food and a beautiful meal to prepare on cold, dark nights. 

Many traditionalists would argue that it’s a complete dinner in its own right, and that it requires no side dishes.

After all, a recipe will usually involve a good serving of beef, a variety of veggies, and some potatoes. 

But if you fancy putting on a spread and giving your family or your dinner guests a bit of extra choice, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of options when it comes to what to serve with Irish stew. 

You’ll definitely want to try these ideas this St Patrick’s Day! 

1. Irish soda bread

A generous chunk of this bread is so good for mopping up the juices from your stew.

It’s made without yeast so has a scone-like texture, and it’s easy to make your own at home.

This Irish soda bread recipe is my favourite, and it can be made in less than an hour. 

Some recipes will contain raisins or other dried fruit.

It might go without saying, but you’ll want to avoid those varieties unless you’re planning to make a dessert to be served after your main course! 

2. Mashed potatoes 

Mashed potatoes are so comforting, making them a brilliant side dish for your Irish stew. 

Choose Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes for the best results, and add a knob of high quality butter or a swirl of fresh cream. 

3. Braised red cabbage 

Red cabbage adds a vibrant splash of colour to your bowl of stew, and it’s also high in vitamin C as well as being a good source of folate, which is particularly important for pregnant women. 

Adding a splash of red wine will really bring the flavours to life. 

4. Suet dumplings

Suet is a type of fat that’s sometimes used to make dumplings, and it creates a wonderfully light and fluffy texture.

Beef suet is most commonly used, though you can also find vegetarian options if you’re cooking for a crowd and need to take different dietary requirements into account and you’re also preparing a veggie based stew. 

Top tip: add a little mustard powder to your dumpling mix to give them an extra little kick!

You can also add your favourite herbs, or even a sprinkling of red chilli flakes if you like a touch of heat. 

5. Rice

A simple bowl of steamed rice is often the ideal pairing for a bowl of hot, rich stew. 

Fluffy white rice works best here, and the good news is that it takes just ten minutes to prepare! 

6. Broccoli 

When considering what to serve with Irish stew, it’s essential that some green vegetables get a mention! 

Broccoli is a tasty option as it’s readily available, packed with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, and tends to be enjoyed by even the fussiest of eaters. 

Simply steam it, and ensure you don’t overcook it so it retains a slight crunch. 

7. Simple green salad

Irish stew can be a really rich and hearty meal, so you may decide that you want to offer something lighter and refreshing as an accompaniment. 

If this is the case, you really can’t go wrong with a leafy green salad.

It’s easy to prepare, and will be perfect if serving at lunch time or to friends and family members with smaller appetites. 

8. Marmite roast potatoes

If you’ve never had Marmite roast potatoes then you’re in for a real treat! 

They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and have a wonderfully savoury flavour that complements beef dishes so well. 

You can make them in an air fryer or oven, and it’s a recipe that you’re likely to make time and time again. 

9. Buttered pasta

Pasta is another carbohydrate side dish that pairs well with casserole style dishes, and it might not be a traditional choice for what to serve with Irish stew, but it’s absolutely delicious! 

You can choose wholemeal or white pasta, and keep it simple by just adding a knob os salted butter.

You could also add some green veggies like peas, for colour and extra texture. 

10. Bread and butter 

Irish stew is a meal that’s proud of its roots and requires no fancy bells and whistles to be worthy of a place at any family meal, whether it’s for a midweek dinner or a special occasion that you want to remember.  

Your stew is so satisfying in its own right, and so a side of bread and butter is often more than enough.

Homemade is perfect, but no one will judge if you pick up a loaf at the supermarket! 

11. Yorkshire puddings 

Yorkshire puddings are a comfort food classic, and they pair so wonderfully with a hearty beef stew. 

Though they’re super simple and require just a handful of store cupboard ingredients, they can be a little tricky to perfect. 

I highly recommend this yorkie recipe – it produces excellent results every single time, but make sure that you resist the urge to open the oven door! 

12. Fried cabbage

Fried cabbage is a traditional Irish side dish that’s easy to prepare and full of nutritious goodness. 

If you’re in the mood for a little extra indulgence, add some bacon. 

You’ll even convince the staunchest of cabbage haters! 

13. Roasted parsnips 

Roasting parsnips make them extra sweet and tender, and because you can simply pop your roasting tray in the oven whilst you take care of your stew, they’re fuss free and simple. 

I like to add a generous squirt of honey to the tray when they have around 5 minutes left, toss through, then return to the oven to finish. 

What are your favourite choices for what to serve with Irish stew?

Is your favourite side dish or accompaniment on this list? 

Or there any extras that you’d add? 

Leave a comment and share your thoughts – I love hearing about what other people get up to in the kitchen! 

If you want to save these ideas for another day, save the image below to your foodie inspiration board over on Pinterest. 

For more mealtime ideas, check out what to serve with Hungarian chicken paprikash – perfect if you love hearty and satisfying dinners!