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The 5 Best Cooking Apps for St. Patrick's Day
Zoe Williams
Published on October 10, 2023
As St. Patrick's Day rolls around (March 17th), the culinary adventurous and the culturally curious alike start their search for the perfect Irish feast. It's the season when everyone wants a slice (or a hearty stew) of Ireland on their table, but not everyone has a granny from Galway to call for recipes. Enter the world of cooking apps—your digital sous-chef for whipping up everything from traditional Irish dishes to green-themed treats. Whether you're hosting a grand St. Patrick's Day gathering or just adding a touch of Irish flair to your meal, there's an app to make your kitchen endeavors as lucky as a four-leaf clover.
In the big ocean of cooking apps, finding the right one for St. Patrick's Day might seem daunting. But don't worry—we've done the heavy lifting to present you with the 5 best cooking apps for celebrating this festive holiday. These apps stand out for their rich selection of recipes, easy-to-follow guides and additional features like shopping lists, ensuring your St. Patrick's Day spread is both impressive and authentic. Whether you're a kitchen pro or a novice chef, these apps will help make your celebration deliciously memorable.
Epicurious
Recipe apps
4.7
Epicurious
Epicurious kicks off our list at number five, bringing with it a legacy of culinary expertise that's hard to match. This app is a goldmine for anyone looking to dive into the world of St. Patrick’s Day cooking with a touch of sophistication. With its vast collection of over 35,000 tested recipes, Epicurious offers an excess of options ranging from traditional Irish fare to innovative dishes with a St. Paddy's twist. What sets Epicurious apart is not just the amount of recipes but also the quality—each recipe comes with user ratings, reviews and suggestions for tweaks, ensuring you can cook with confidence. The app also features handy tools like a smart shopping list that updates as you choose your recipes, making your grocery runs as efficient as a leprechaun's gold hunt. For those who appreciate a good story behind their food, Epicurious articles provide rich context on the traditions and origins of Irish dishes, making your cooking experience both educational and enjoyable.
Allrecipes
Recipe apps
4.2
Allrecipes
Sliding into the fourth spot, Allrecipes is the community-driven heart of our list. This app shines by bringing together a passionate community of cooks who share their personal recipes, complete with photos, reviews and modifications. For St. Patrick’s Day, Allrecipes offers an array of user-generated content that ranges from the quintessentially Irish to the creatively themed, giving you a taste of authentic home cooking. The app's robust search filters allow you to sift through dishes based on ingredients, cooking time and dietary preferences, ensuring you find the perfect match for your celebration. The Dinner Spinner feature is a fun twist that helps you discover new recipes based on what you already have in your pantry—ideal for spontaneous St. Patrick's Day meal planning. Moreover, the ability to save favorites and create custom collections makes organizing your holiday cooking a breeze.
BigOven
Recipe apps
4.5
BigOven
Taking the bronze on our list, BigOven stands out for its sheer versatility and convenience. With over 500,000 recipes, including a hearty selection of St. Patrick’s Day favorites, BigOven makes it easy to find inspiration for your holiday feast. The app excels in meal planning with features that allow you to see what’s for dinner at a glance, plan ahead with a calendar and even get ideas based on leftovers. Its grocery list function is integrated with the recipes, streamlining your preparation process. BigOven’s social aspect lets you follow friends and family, exchange recipes and see what others are cooking for St. Patrick’s Day, fostering a sense of community. The app also offers seasonal collections that highlight the best recipes for any holiday, ensuring your St. Paddy’s Day menu is both festive and flavorful.
Yummly
Recipe apps
4.4
Yummly
Securing the second spot, Yummly is more than just a recipe app; it's a personalized cooking companion. Yummly’s strength lies in its powerful customization options, which tailor recommendations based on your tastes, nutritional preferences and allergies, making it a breeze to find St. Patrick’s Day dishes that suit everyone’s needs. With over 2 million recipes, including a rich selection of Irish and green-themed dishes, the possibilities are endless. The app’s integrated timer, video tutorials and step-by-step guides ensure that your cooking process is as smooth as Irish cream. Yummly also connects with smart kitchen devices, offering a futuristic cooking experience. Its ingredient recognition feature helps minimize waste, suggesting recipes based on what you already have at home, perfect for planning an eco-friendly St. Patrick’s Day meal.
Cookpad
Recipe apps
4.5
Cookpad
Topping our list at number one, Cookpad is the ultimate destination for those seeking a truly interactive cooking experience this St. Patrick’s Day. What sets Cookpad apart is its vibrant community of home cooks, making it a social network for food enthusiasts. Here, you can discover a wide range of St. Patrick’s Day recipes—from traditional Irish dishes to innovative green desserts—shared by people around the world. Cookpad encourages user interaction, allowing you to share your own creations, swap cooking tips and even tweak recipes to your liking. The app's real-time chat feature lets you connect with other cooks for advice, making the cooking process social and supportive. With Cookpad, you’re not just following a recipe; you’re joining a global kitchen where every dish tells a story. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, Cookpad ensures your St. Patrick’s Day cooking is an adventure shared with a community of food lovers.
A Culinary Journey Through St. Patrick's Day: From Traditional to Trendy
On St. Patrick’s Day, the world seems to embrace all shades of green and this festive spirit extends far beyond just clothing and decorations—it infiltrates the very essence of the day’s cuisine. Irish food, known for its hearty, comforting nature, takes center stage on March 17th, turning meals into a celebration of culture and tradition. From the savory tenderness of corned beef and cabbage to the rustic charm of Irish soda bread, the day’s menu is a homage to the simplicity and richness of Ireland’s culinary heritage. But it's not just about the classics; innovative green-themed dishes and desserts also make their mark, adding a playful twist to the celebration. Imagine indulging in a slice of green velvet cake or sipping on a minty shamrock shake—St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to experiment and enjoy food in the most joyously green manner possible.
The culinary journey of St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the quintessential Irish stew, a dish that warms the soul and tells a story in every bite. Rooted in history, this stew, traditionally made with lamb, potatoes, onions and parsley, is a testament to the ingenuity of Irish cooking, transforming simple ingredients into a dish rich with flavor and comfort. On this day, pubs and homes alike buzz with the camaraderie of shared meals, where even a pint of Guinness is considered a vital part of the culinary experience. The act of gathering to enjoy these traditional foods and beverages embodies the meaning of St. Patrick’s Day, showcasing the ability of food to bring people together in celebration of heritage and community. Whether you’re Irish by blood or just for the day, the feast on March 17th is a delightful dip into Ireland’s hearty cuisine and festive culture.
Conclusion
As the countdown to St. Patrick's Day begins, it's clear that the heart of the celebration lies not just in the parades and the green attire, but in the rich tapestry of flavors that define Irish cuisine. The apps we've journeyed through are more than just tools; they're gateways to exploring a world where food is a festive bond, connecting us to the traditions of the Emerald Isle. Whether you're drawn to the hearty classics or intrigued by the playful twists on green-themed treats, these apps ensure that anyone can bring a piece of Ireland into their kitchen. So, as you prepare to don your greenest attire and perhaps raise a glass in honor of St. Patrick, remember that the real magic might just be simmering on your stove or baking in your oven, ready to make this St. Patrick's Day not only memorable but deliciously authentic. Cheers to a holiday where every dish tells a story and thanks to these top cooking apps, you're always just a few taps away from adding your own chapter.
My Personal Recommendation
“Cookpad is my personal go-to recommendation for anyone looking to dive deep into the world of culinary delights, not just for its crazy range of recipes but for the vibrant, global community it fosters. This app is a treasure trove where food lovers from around the world share, interact and bond over their love for cooking. The social aspect of Cookpad sets it apart, offering a unique platform to exchange recipes, cooking tips and even culinary successes and mishaps with fellow enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to perfect a traditional dish or experiment with new ingredients, the community support and feedback can turn cooking from a solitary task into a shared adventure. With millions of recipes at your fingertips, Cookpad is not just an app; it's a gateway to a world where every meal tells a story and every cook has a voice.”
Zoe Williams
Verified Reviewer
Writer for Best of Apps since October 10, 2023