Saint Patrick's Day will be here next week and now is the time to plan your feast! If you grew up in an Irish-American household or even just in a neighborhood where everyone celebrated, you probably remember how the smells of supper seemed a little richer on March evenings. It was the kind of meal that simmered on the stove all afternoon while the wind still hinted at winter outside.

For many American families, St. Patrick’s Day meant one thing: corned beef and cabbage. A big pot bubbling away on the stove, sending up warm clouds scented with spices and salt. Potatoes and carrots softened in the broth, and cabbage wedges soaked up all that savory flavor. It was a humble meal, but a hearty one — the kind that brought everyone to the table without needing to be called twice.

Though many people think of it as purely Irish, corned beef and cabbage is really an Irish-American tradition — a meal shaped by thrift, practicality, and the ingredients families could find close to home. Like so many old-fashioned dishes, it became part of the holiday not because it was fancy, but because it was dependable.

Still, not every tradition suits every taste.

If you are like me and don't care for Corned Beef and Cabbage, which is a traditional Irish-American dish served on St. Patrick's Day, you may try Guinness Barley Beef Stew with a recipe from Halladay's Harvest Barn with a packet of Halladay's Farmhouse Barley Vegetable Stew Mix. There’s something deeply satisfying about a kettle of stew gently simmering through the afternoon — tender beef, wholesome barley, and vegetables in a rich broth that warms you clear through. It feels every bit as fitting for a March celebration as the old stand-by meal.

Guinness Barley Beef Stew Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Halladay's Farmhouse Barley Vegetable Stew
• 1 to 1.5 lbs. beef stew meat or beef chuck roast cut into cubes
• 12-16 oz. Guinnness (or your favorite stout)
• 1 (10 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
• 4 carrots, cut into 1 in. pieces
• 3 potatoes, cut into 1 in. pieces
• 3 ribs celery, copped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 6 cups water

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients into a large slow cooker
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until meat is tender (or high for 4-5 hours.)

Notes

• You can also use lamb stew meat instead of beef if you desire.
• Serve over mashed potatoes or biscuits for a heartier meal. 

And the truth is, Irish-American tables have always held more than one favorite.

Some families bake a warm loaf of Irish soda bread, sliced thick and spread with butter while it's still melting into the crumb. I prefer Beer Bread from Halladay's because it bakes quickly and is the perfect match to the Guinness beef stew (recipe below).  Others prepare shepherd’s pie, with seasoned meat and vegetables tucked beneath a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes, lightly browned in the oven. A pot of colcannon, with mashed potatoes folded together with cabbage and butter, has comforted generations on chilly evenings.

Halladay's Vermont Beer Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (12oz.) bottle of your favorite beer. 
  • Use light beer for a milder flavor
  • Use dark beer (Guinness) for a richer flavor
• 4 Tbsp. Butter, melted 
• Halladay's Classic Vermont Beer Bread Mix

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

2. Pour the package of Beer Bread Mix into a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the beer. Stir until most of the lumps are gone.

3. Add batter to the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and cover with the melted butter. 

4. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Let cool for at least 5 minutes. 

Simple boiled potatoes with parsley and butter can be a meal all their own, and many tables include roasted meats or a sturdy soup to round things out. No matter the dish, the goal has always been the same — to gather around a warm table and mark the season together.

Let's not forget dessert! Shamrock-shaped cookies, green Jello, or perhaps chocolate chip mint ice cream is the festive ways to keep the celebration of St. Patrick's Day going. Halladay's Apple Crisp is a comforting way to end the meal that the family will enjoy.

Halladay's Apple Crisp Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups apples, peeled and sliced. (such as Granny Smith or McIntosh)
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 package Halladay's Apple Crisp Mix

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. Place the peeled and sliced apples in a 9" pie plate. Set aside and make the topping.
3. Cut the stick of butter into small pieces, then in a bowl, blend into the Halladay's Apple Crisp Mix.
4. Crumble topping mixture over the apples.
5. Bake at 350˚F for about 20-30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
6. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

St. Patrick’s Day arrives just as winter begins to loosen its grip. There may still be frost on the mornings, but the days are stretching longer, and the promise of spring is in the air. A good meal shared with family feels like part of that turning — something steady and familiar in a changing season.

Whether your table holds corned beef and cabbage or a steaming bowl of hearty stew, the best St. Patrick’s Day meals are the ones made with care and shared with the people you love.

After all, traditions aren’t only the foods we inherit — they’re also the ones we choose to keep. ☘️

Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at Harvest Array!