St. Patrick’s Day Party Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love
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St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays with fun, food, and a lot of green. I love any party with a clearly defined theme because it makes planning so much easier! If you’re hosting a party, creating festive food trays and a couple of beverage pairings is an easy way to impress your guests without stressing yourself out. The possibilities are endless, from crowd-pleasing main dishes and rainbow-themed fruit displays to green-packed charcuterie boards. Party trays and some signature cocktails are pretty and practical, giving everyone something to enjoy while they mingle, leaving you, as the host, free to have fun with your guests!
Simple Main Dishes for Your St. Patrick’s Day Party
While trays and snacks are perfect for mingling, a hearty main dish completes the celebration. For St. Patrick’s Day, simplicity combined with bold flavors is the way to go. Here’s an idea to bring a bit of Irish-inspired flair to your spread:
Corned Beef or Reuben Sliders
Corned beef sliders, or their flavor-packed cousin, Reuben sliders, are bite-sized, festive, and perfect for a crowd. These mini sandwiches are easy to prepare and make an excellent addition to your St. Patrick’s Day table.
Ingredients:
- Slider rolls (Hawaiian or pretzel rolls work great)
- Cooked corned beef, sliced thin
- Swiss cheese slices
- Sauerkraut (for Reuben sliders)
- Thousand Island dressing or mustard
- Butter (optional for toasting)
Irish Bangers and Mash Skewers
Try Bangers and Mash skewers for a fun and easy twist on a classic Irish dish. They’re bite-sized, portable, and pack all the flavors of this beloved comfort food into a party-friendly format.
Ingredients:
- Small cooked sausages (Irish bangers or cocktail sausages)
- Baby potatoes or cubed potatoes boiled until tender
- Thick gravy (for dipping)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Long Skewers or toothpicks
Steps:
- Prepare the ingredients: Boil the baby potatoes until fork-tender, and cook the sausages if not pre-cooked. Let them cool slightly.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread a sausage and a potato onto each skewer or long toothpick, alternating for a balanced look.
- Serve with gravy: Heat some thick, rich gravy and place it in a small bowl for dipping. Arrange the skewers on a platter, drizzle with gravy, and garnish with fresh parsley.
St. Patrick’s Day Party Snacks
Of course, no party is complete without festive snacks that guests can grab and enjoy while mingling. From colorful fruit trays to green-themed charcuterie boards, these bite-sized treats bring fun and flavor to the celebration. These are some of my favorite snack ideas:
Green Fruit Medley
If you want to go all-in on the St. Patrick’s Day theme, you can’t go wrong with a tray packed with green fruits. Keep it clean and monochromatic for a look that’s fresh and festive. Here are some great options to include:
- Green grapes
- Kiwi slices
- Honeydew melon cubes
- Apple slices (Granny Smith variety)
- Peeled cucumber rounds
You could cut some of the fruit into shamrock shapes for an extra festive touch using cookie cutters. Trust me, your guests will be impressed, and it will not take as much time as you’d think. Arrange everything in neat rows or small piles for a clean look. Pop in a few sprigs of mint for garnish, and you’ve got a super cute and festive tray!
Colorful Fruit Trays
Fruit trays are always a hit at any party and are a perfect addition to your St. Patrick’s Day spread. They’re healthy, they’re colorful, and they’re hard to mess up. You can arrange the fruit in creative shapes or highlight festive colors, and these trays will be a hit with everyone at the party.
Rainbow Inspired Fruit Tray
There’s just something so cheerful about a rainbow-shaped fruit tray. It’s vibrant and fits right in with St. Patrick’s Day vibes. To make one, you’ll want to focus on grouping fruits by color and arranging them in a classic rainbow arc. If you have time, add some fruit dip made with marshmallow fluff and cream cheese to make it extra special!
Here’s how I like to do it:
- Start with red: Use sliced strawberries or watermelon for the outer arch.
- Move to orange: Mandarin oranges or cantaloupe chunks work perfectly.
- Yellow comes next: Pineapple slices or banana coins are easy options.
- Green is key: You can count on green grapes, kiwi slices, or honeydew melon.
- Add blue: Blueberries are your go-to here.
- Finish with purple: Try red grapes or blackberries for a bold ending.
Savory Snack Charcuterie Boards
Savory snack boards are a crowd-pleaser at any party and a must-have for St. Patrick’s Day. These boards can bring your festive tray game to the next level if you want to go heavy on the green theme or keep things simple with dips and spreads. They’re delicious and a feast for the eyes, and they’ll have your guests snap photos before digging in.
Green Charcuterie Board
When I put together a green charcuterie board, I think of it as a snack and edible art! You don’t have to sacrifice flavor to stick to the theme. There are plenty of delicious green foods that fit right in!
Here’s what I’d include:
- Green cheeses: Yes, they exist! A nice sage Derby cheese has a subtle green marbling that’s perfect for St. Paddy’s. Wasabi cheese also works if your guests are into bold flavors.
- Olives: Green olives, stuffed or plain, are a simple addition that packs a lot of flavor.
- Crackers and breadsticks: Look for spinach or herb crackers to keep the color palette on point.
- Veggies: Sliced cucumbers, celery sticks, and snap peas are crunchy, fresh, and oh-so-green.
- Pickles: Gherkins or dill pickle slices can bring a tangy punch to the board.
- Green fruits: Toss in some green apple slices or grapes for a sweet contrast to the savory vibe.
To pull it all together, arrange everything on a wooden tray or cutting board. Add some festive green spreader for the cheeses to add an upscale look to the tray. Then, let the textures and shades of green do most of the work for you.
St Patrick's Day Decor 4-Piece Hand Painted Resin Handle with Stainless Steel Blade Multipurpose Cheese Spreader set (Luck of The Irish)
Themed Dips and Spreads
No snack tray is complete without something to dip into. For St. Patrick’s Day, go for dips and spreads that match the green theme without skimping on flavor. These options are super easy and pair well with almost anything.
- Pesto: Bright green and full of flavor, pesto can be served on its own or mixed with cream cheese for a milder option. Spread it on crackers or serve with veggie sticks.
- Spinach artichoke dip: This classic dip fits right into the theme. Plus, it’s warm and cheesy—everyone will love it.
- Guacamole: You can’t go wrong with guac. Sprinkle on some extra cilantro for a fresh pop of green.
- Edamame hummus: It’s like regular hummus but with a fun, green twist. It’s smooth, light, and great for dipping.
- Herb butter or spreadable cheese: Whip up a green herb-infused butter or cream cheese. Add parsley, chives, or dill for a hint of fresh flavor.
Place the dips in small bowls around your tray and garnish them with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Not only do they taste amazing, but they help tie the whole look together.
Sweet Treats and Desserts
No party is complete without a little something sweet, right? For St. Patrick’s Day, you want desserts that look as festive as they taste. Sweet trays are a great way to add color, fun, and a bit of indulgence to your party.
Shamrock-Shaped Cookies
Cookies shaped like shamrocks are a classic for St. Patrick’s Day, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. You don’t have to be a professional baker to get these right—they’re simple, cute, and delicious. For the base, you can use sugar cookie dough (store-bought or homemade; no judgment here). If you want to bake some homemade treats, check out my sugar cookie recipe, which I have used for years.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sugar Cookie Dough: Homemade or store-bought is fine.
- Shamrock-shaped cookie cutter: This is a must!
- Green food coloring: For dyeing the dough or the icing.
- Royal icing or buttercream: Depending on how much effort you want to put into decorating.
- Optional: green sanding sugar or edible gold glitter for a little extra flair
Shamrock, Four Leaf Clover, Beer, Irish Man, Rainbow, Top Hat, Pot of Gold ,Horseshoe Stainless Steel Biscuit Cutters For Irish Party Supplies
For presentation, stack the shamrock cookies on a tiered tray or arrange them on a large white platter so the green pops. If you want to go the extra mile, add a few gold-wrapped chocolate coins or green candies to the tray for an extra festive look.
(Assorted Sizes, 1/2 LB)
Pistachio Pudding Cookies
For an extra festive treat, try adding Pistachio Pudding Cookies to your dessert spread. Their soft, chewy texture and naturally green hue are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Plus, they’re packed with flavor and easy to make!
St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes with Green Icing
Cupcakes are an easy and festive addition to your party spread, and store-bought options can save you time while still impressing guests. Simply top them with green frosting, sprinkles, or edible gold accents to tie into the holiday theme.
Beverage Pairings Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day
Now for the fun part! St. Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without some festive drinks. Whether you’re leaning into the green theme or just want something fun to sip, the right beverages can elevate your party tray setup. From a frothy pint of green beer to colorful cocktails that scream St. Paddy’s, here’s how to bring some personality (and a bit of fun) to your drink station.
Green Beer and Cocktails Recipes
If you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party, green drinks are so much fun, and everyone loves them! The best part is making them is way less complicated than it looks. You can pull this off whether you’re a mixology pro or a complete beginner.
14 Ounce Glass Steins, Classic Beer Mug glasses Set
How to Make Green Beer
Let’s start simple. Green beer is a classic and it’s fun, festive, and ridiculously easy to make. All you need is your favorite light beer and a bit of green food coloring.
Here’s how I do it:
- Select your beer. A lighter-colored beer works best because it shows off the green. Think pilsners, lagers, or even a wheat beer.
- Add the color. Drop 2-3 drops of green food coloring into an empty glass. If you want a bold green, feel free to add more—just don’t overdo it.
- Pour the beer. Slowly pour the beer into the glass. As it fills, the color will mix on its own, creating that perfect green hue.
1 Each Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Total Four 0.3 oz bottles, 4 Count (Pack of 1)
Mint Mojito Mocktail
Not everyone at your party may be drinking alcohol, and that’s totally okay! This Mint Mojito Mocktail is bright, refreshing, and just as festive. Plus, it’s naturally green—no food coloring required.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 handful of fresh mint leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 2 tsp sugar (or simple syrup)
- Ice
- Club soda, lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
Steps:
- In a sturdy glass, muddle the mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar together until the lime releases its juice. Don’t crush the mint too much—you just want to release the flavor, not pulverize it.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Top with club soda or sparkling water, and gently stir to combine.
For garnishes, add a sprig of mint or a slice of lime to the rim. It’s crisp, zesty, and guaranteed to please anyone who wants something fresh without the booze.
With just a few steps and a splash of creativity, your drink game can seriously impress. So, whether you’re pouring green beers or shaking up fancy cocktails, don’t skip the drinks!
Wrapping Up Your Festive Spread
St. Patrick’s Day party trays are all about mixing fun, flavor, and a little creativity. The key is to keep it simple and fun. Balance eye-catching presentation with crowd-pleasing flavors, and you’ll have a spread that wows your guests without wearing you out!
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