St Patrick Party Food: 20+ Easy Irish Snack Ideas

St Patrick party food is something I look forward to every year! While corned beef and cabbage are staples, I’m always searching for fun, festive, and easy Irish party snacks to bring to a gathering. This year, I’m sharing a delicious recipe for Mini Shepherd’s Pies – the perfect bite sized St Patrick party food that’s bursting with flavor. They’re so easy to make and travel well, ensuring they’ll be a hit at your next St Patrick’s Day celebration.

Why You Will Love This St Patrick party food Recipe

These Mini Shepherd’s Pies are fantastic because they are incredibly comforting, easy to eat, and packed with flavorful ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Unlike a large shepherd’s pie, these individual servings are perfectly portioned for a party and eliminate the need for slicing.

I have so many memories of St Patrick’s Day celebrations with family. I love that this mini version of a classic dish can bring a little bit of warmth and tradition to any party! Pair it with our easy Irish Soda Bread for the full St Patrick Day experience.

Ingredients Needed for This St Patrick party food Recipe

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

How to Make This St Patrick party food Recipe

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 20 minutes. Drain well.
2. Mash The Potatoes: Return the potatoes to the pot and mash with the milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, and rosemary and cook for 1 minute more.
5. Simmer the Filling: Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the frozen peas and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Assemble the Pies: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spoon the beef filling into muffin tins, filling each cup about two thirds full.
7. Top with Mashed Potatoes: Top each cup with a generous amount of mashed potatoes. Spread evenly.
8. Bake: If desired, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for 20 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are lightly golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
9. Cool and Serve: Let the mini shepherd’s pies cool slightly before serving.

I like to add a pinch of smoked paprika to my mashed potatoes for an extra layer of flavour, if you’re feeling adventurous. Don’t overfill the muffin tins, or they will be difficult to remove!

How to Serve This St Patrick party food Recipe

These Mini Shepherd’s Pies are best served warm right out of the oven. They are perfect as an appetizer or as a main dish for a casual St Patrick’s Day gathering.

Consider pairing these Irish party snacks with a fresh green salad or a side of roasted vegetables. They also go well with a pint of your favorite Irish stout or beer. Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley for an extra touch of green!

How to Store This St Patrick party food Recipe

Refrigeration: Leftover Mini Shepherd’s Pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Allow the pies to cool completely before freezing. Wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat the refrigerated or frozen pies in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the potatoes may become a bit soft.

Tips to Make This St Patrick party food Recipe

• For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with lentils or crumbled plant based meat substitute. I tried this once and it came out incredibly delicious.
• You can use any type of potato you like for the mashed potato topping, but Yukon Gold potatoes are exceptionally creamy.
• Don’t overcook the potatoes for the mashed potato topping, or they can become gummy.
• For an extra flavorful filling, use homemade beef broth.

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Helpful Notes for St Patrick party food Recipe

These Mini Shepherd’s Pies are very adaptable to your preferences. Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, corn, or green beans to the filling.

If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute it with a tablespoon of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. I recommend using a good quality muffin tin lined with paper liners for easy removal.

Variation of This St Patrick party food Recipe

A fun seasonal twist is adding some chopped parsnips to the mashed potato topping for a sweeter flavor.

For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef filling. You can also top the pies with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra tanginess.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making and sharing these Mini Shepherd’s Pies for your next St Patrick’s Day celebration. They are a fun and delicious way to celebrate Irish tradition. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions. Happy cooking and happy St Patrick’s Day!