33 Vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

Our collection of vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day recipes, from cabbage rolls to shamrock cookies, has festive meatless dishes and plenty of green to celebrate the day.

For a holiday that’s big on tradition, St. Patrick’s Day is surprisingly easy to reimagine without meat, especially when you stick with familiar flavors and dishes, but with a twist. These vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day recipes skip the corned beef, sure, but keep everything else: the cozy spirit of traditional Irish home cooking, just enough green to tip a hat to the shamrock, a little Guinness and recipes made for passing, sharing and celebrating.

This collection includes classic recipes that are naturally meat-free, like raisin-filled Irish soda bread or strong Irish coffee, alongside playful ideas like pot pies and cabbage rolls that use beans and vegetables instead of meat. There are mains and sides, plus fun desserts like Irish cream cupcakes, Guinness floats and a mint-flavored pound cake filled with vibrant shamrocks, so you can plan a full, festive meal or just choose one or two dishes for your table.

Most of our St. Patrick’s Day party recipes can easily be doubled for a large gathering and hold up on the road, so they are great if you are hosting or heading to a potluck. Add a few Irish-inspired cocktails or a sweet, green St. Patrick’s Day dessert, and the menu will be complete. Sláinte!

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Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls

Total Time 45 min
Servings 8 cabbage rolls
From the Recipe Creator: This marvelous meatless entree comes from my 89-year-old grandmother, who cooks a lot with grains, particularly bulgur. The zucchini is a fun change of pace stuffed inside these vegetarian cabbage rolls. —Michelle Dougherty, Lewiston, Idaho
Nutrition Facts: 2 rolls: 142 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 675mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch.
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Homemade Irish Soda Bread

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator: Some people consider bread to be the most important part of a meal—and this Irish bread satisfies! This recipe is by far the best soda bread I've ever tried. With plentiful raisins, it is moist and delicious! —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 223 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 326mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
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Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Mushrooms, carrots, celery, peas and potatoes pack this full-flavored meal-maker. In fact, you’ll never even miss the meat. It’s that rich and satisfying! —Kim Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 223 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 753mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
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Guinness Float

Total Time 5 min
Servings 2 floats
From the Recipe Creator: That very first sip of a Guinness is what inspired this quick and easy dessert. The rich, creamy foam that gathers on the top of a freshly poured draft made me think of vanilla ice cream. At that point, I knew I had to combine the two in a Guinness float. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 286 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Shamrock Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: A handy cookie cutter shapes these sensational sweets. With a hint of mint flavor, these shamrock cookies are especially yummy with cocoa or chocolate milk. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 96 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Total Time 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Instead of the ever-popular garlic mashed potatoes, this unusual recipe calls for prepared horseradish. The zippy side dish would be fantastic with roast beef. —Cynthia Gobeli, Norton, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 175 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 301mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
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Irish Cream Cupcakes

Total Time 45 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: If you're looking for a grown-up cupcake, give these a try. You'll have a hard time limiting yourself to one! —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 cupcake: 273 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Potato Leek Soup

Total Time 45 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My family and I crave a steaming bowl of potato leek soup on a cold winter evening, but we don't want the butter and fat content of regular soup recipes. So I created this lighter version. I have shared it with many folks, and everyone who has tried it loves it for the robust, satisfying flavor. —Christine Frye, Odessa, Missouri
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 193 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 593mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
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Rainbow Snack Platter

From the Recipe Creator: Kids and adults alike will gobble up this rainbow snack platter. Go ahead and make it as large as you’d like! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Onion Cheese Soup

Total Time 25 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I made a few adjustments to this savory soup recipe I came across in a community cookbook. It's rich, buttery and cheesy, plus it's so quick to prepare. —Janice Pogozelski, Cleveland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 308 calories, 22g fat (15g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
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Pistachio Salad

Total Time 10 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This fluffy salad is a real treat since it's creamy but not overly sweet. It's easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 236 calories, 9g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Hearty Chickpea Potpie

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This veggie potpie is so savory and satisfying! The spring veggies, easy prep and impressive presentation make it a perfect addition to Easter or other family dinners. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 496 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein.
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Irish Coffee

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This Irish coffee lives up to its reputation as a relaxing after-dinner drink. Creme de menthe adds a colorful touch to the cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 203 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 21mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Malted Chocolate & Stout Layer Cake

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: If you want a dessert that will take the cake at a St. Patrick's Day celebration, look no further! The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and has a nice malt flavor that's perfectly complemented by the Irish cream frosting. —Jennifer Wayland, Morris Plains, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 821 calories, 48g fat (29g saturated fat), 220mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 90g carbohydrate (64g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
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Skillet Cabbage

Total Time 25 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I use this dish often when the schedule gets tight and I need a hurry-up vegetable to cook. It adds plenty of substance to a simple meal. —Charmaine Fricke, St. Charles, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 100 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 286mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Guinness Chocolate Cake

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds me of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 497 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
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Cabbage Barley Soup

Total Time 6 hours 30 min
Servings 8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: My neighbor had an abundance of cabbage, so a group of us had a contest to see who could come up with the best cabbage dish. My vegetarian soup was the clear winner. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 197 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.
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Rainbow Fruit Salad

Total Time 20 min
Servings 20 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 123 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
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Favorite Irish Bread

Total Time 50 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Serve this classic from the Emerald Isle with butter, jam and a hot cup of tea. Baking this beauty in a 9-in. pan means there is enough to go around. —Sadie Rotondo, Rockland, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 245 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Sauteed Cabbage

Total Time 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When I was young, my family grew our own cabbages. It was fun to put the cabbage to use in the kitchen, just as I did with this comforting side. With potatoes, deviled eggs and cornbread, fried cabbage tastes like home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 59 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
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Irish Cream

Total Time 10 min
Servings 3-1/3 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this homemade Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 165 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Rainbow Cake with Clouds

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Some cakes stand on their own without icing. For this bright Rainbow Cake, use a little whipped cream to make fluffy clouds. —Janet Tigchelaar, Jerseyville, Ontario
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece with 2 tablespoons whipped cream: 208 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 216mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Pistachio Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 6-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This wonderful pistachio cookie recipe is fun to make and everyone will be impressed with how pretty the green coloring is. They're one of my favorite holiday cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 54 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 44mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone

Total Time 6 hours 40 min
Servings 10 servings (3-3/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: This vegetarian soup features a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 231 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 1015mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein.
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Thin Mint Milk Shake

Total Time 5 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 363 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
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Potato Pan Rolls

Total Time 35 min
Servings 16 rolls
From the Recipe Creator: My family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. —Connie Storckman, Evanston, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts: 1 roll: 163 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 239mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Fennel Carrot Soup

Total Time 55 min
Servings 8 servings (2 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator: This soup is perfect as a first course for a special-occasion dinner. It gets its delicious flavor from toasted fennel seeds—a pleasant complement to the carrots, apple and sweet potato. —Marlene Bursey, Waverly, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 117 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 989mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch.
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Shamrock Cutout Pound Cake

Total Time 1 hour 50 min
Servings 1 loaf (16 slices)
From the Recipe Creator: My son Gabriel loves surprises inside cakes, like seeing a shamrock when this cake is sliced. Everyone wants to know how it’s done. — Angela Lively, Spring, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 228 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 181mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
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Rainbow Quiche

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: With plenty of veggies and a creamy egg-cheese filling, this tasty quiche gets rave reviews every time I make it! —Lilith Fury, Adena, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 295 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 482mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
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Rainbow Spritzer

Total Time 20 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Layers of colorful fruit submerged in a fizzy, sweet beverage make this a kid-friendly sipper that gets two thumbs-up. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 91 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
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Skillet Brownies

Total Time 40 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Here's a fun and festive way to serve brownies. Family and friends will love topping their pieces with whipped cream and strawberries. —Johnnie McLeod, Bastrop, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 409 calories, 24g fat (11g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 274mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
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Buttery Whiskey-Glazed Pearl Onions

Total Time 30 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I always have pearl onions on hand to add to stews and vegetable dishes—they're great pickled too. Every Thanksgiving, I make this glazed onion dish. It can easily be made ahead and reheated. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 100 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 147mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

Vegetarian St. Patrick’s Day Recipes FAQ

What festive vegetarian dinners can I make for a St. Patrick’s Day party?

Hearty bakes like a veggie pot pie or saucy cabbage rolls with rice and lentils make great vegetarian main dishes for a St. Patrick’s Day party that can easily feed a crowd. These can be baked ahead and warmed just before serving, and they pair nicely with lighter sides like braised leeks or a crisp salad. To complete the menu, consider pairing them with spring vegetarian sides full of green vegetables to keep things bright and festive.

What vegetarian Irish potato recipes are good for a crowd?

Potatoes are a must-have for any Irish-inspired gathering, and big bowls of mashed potatoes and potato salad or a platter of crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with chives and parsley are easy, crowd-pleasing dishes to make in big batches. Add green onions and cabbage or kale to mashed potatoes for a vegetarian take on colcannon, or just add a hefty dose of rich Irish butter or cheddar for standout spuds. Choose waxy varieties like red potatoes for roasting or starchy ones like russets for mashing, and always season generously.

What green-themed vegetarian dishes can I make for St. Patrick’s Day?

From desserts to sides, you need to have some green-themed vegetarian dishes for St. Patrick’s Day, whether it’s a sprinkle-covered cookie or a platter of bright green asparagus. To achieve green naturally, stick with green vegetables, herbs or pistachios. Sauteed cabbage or garlic-braised greens are verdant and pair well with various mains. A few drops of food coloring in a minty shake or cake batter is an easy way to get that pop of green into desserts.