Guide to the Traditional Irish Christmas Foods by Ma Mooney’s Kitchen

Christmas in Ireland is a time of cherished memories, family gatherings, and enduring traditions. None more delightful than those found at the dinner table. And the Irish Christmas Foods have the ability to turn this festive season into a celebration of togetherness with flavours.

The joy of sharing a traditional Irish Christmas dinner with family and friends around a festive table is a cherished part of Irish Christmas traditions.

And we, at Ma Mooney’s Kitchen, take pride in bringing these iconic flavours of Ireland to the heart of Perth. Our menu celebrates Irish foods, prepared with fresh ingredients and the love that only comes from home cooking. From our all-day Irish favourites to specialty Irish Christmas dishes, you’ll find the best Irish foods right here in Perth.

Let’s take a look at must-have foods for your Irish Christmas table.

What’s on the Irish Christmas Table?

Whether it’s the roasted meats, the sweet Christmas cake, or the delicious stew, Christmas foods in Ireland offer something special for everyone.

Here’s a glimpse at the delicious lineup you’ll find on your Christmas food table:

Read on to experience the whole day of festive Irish flavours. As, now, we’ll take you on a delightful rollercoaster of all Irish Christmas Foods from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.

Exploring Irish Christmas Foods from Dawn to Dusk | A Day Full of Festive Flavours

The Christmas Irish Breakfast

Christmas morning in Ireland begins with the comforting aroma of a traditional Irish breakfast blowing through the home. This beloved meal, fondly called a ‘full Irish,’ sets the tone for the day ahead with its satisfying flavours.

A traditional Irish Christmas breakfast typically include a variety of foods:

1. Irish Soda Bread

No Irish breakfast is complete without the iconic Irish soda bread. Dense and slightly tangy, this bread pairs wonderfully with butter and jam. Its rustic charm and rich flavour make it a staple at the Christmas breakfast table.

You can order online from Ma Mooney’s Kitchen menu.

2. Bacon and Cabbage

For those seeking a savoury twist, bacon and cabbage feature as a festive morning treat. The rich, smoky flavours of bacon combine beautifully with tender, boiled or sautéed cabbage.

3. Irish Sausages and Black & White Pudding

Next up, we have a delightful spread of sausages and both black and white pudding. These iconic Irish ingredients are packed with flavour. The sausages are juicy and flavourful, while the puddings, made from pork and grains, bring a unique and savoury twist to the meal.

4. Fried Eggs

The golden yolks and perfectly crispy edges of a fried egg add just the right amount of richness to your plate. It’s an essential part of a traditional Irish Christmas breakfast.

Ma Mooney’s Kitchen offers Classic Full Irish Breakfast to make your Christmas morning special.

It includes two eggs (fried or scrambled), bacon, sausages, black and white pudding, grilled tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, and toast. Additionally, you can add a side of hash browns or avocado for extra goodness. Give it a try this Christmas!

Traditional Irish Christmas Dinner | Between 1pm to 4pm

Order now: Menu Option 1 & Menu Option 2

In many Irish homes, the Christmas dinner in Ireland is usually served between 1pm and 4pm. The exact timing can vary from house to house. Bot one thing remains consistent; the celebration of rich, comforting flavours meal that defines the Irish Christmas table.

A traditional Irish dinner on Christmas is a three-course meal that includes:

• a light and warming soup
• a bountiful buffet-style main course filled with beloved Irish dishes
• a sweet treat to end the meal on a delicious note

Let’s explore these iconic dishes that make your Christmas truly special.

• The First Course | Warm Soup to Start

The first course consists of a comforting bowl of soup to warm you up before the main event. In Ireland, a favourite option is served as:

5. Warm Christmas Soup

It could include either:

• Potato and Leek Soup: A creamy and flavourful soup made with tender leeks and hearty potatoes.
• Country Vegetable Soup: A rustic, wholesome soup made with fresh seasonal vegetables that provide the perfect balance of flavours.

Order Soup of the Day online from Ma Mooney’s Kitchen menu.

• The Main Course | A Feast of Irish Christmas Foods

The main course is where the magic truly happens. The Irish Christmas dinner features a spread that satisfies all tastes. This festive feast usually includes:

6. Irish Roast Turkey

The star of any traditional Irish Christmas food spread is the roast turkey. It’s golden-brown on the outside, tender on the inside, and always served with generous helpings of stuffing, rich gravy, and cranberry sauce.

7. Ham: A Christmas Essential

Alongside the turkey, boiled and glazed ham is another must-have in the Irish Christmas meal. The ham is glazed with a delicious combination of honey, brown sugar, orange juice, and whole-grain mustard, giving it a sweet and savory flavour that perfectly complements the turkey.

8. All the Potatoes

In Ireland, potatoes are more than just a side dish. They are a Christmas essential. Whether it’s mashed, roasted, or fried, you’ll find a variety of potato dishes at the table.

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a classic, and at Ma Mooney’s Kitchen. We serve them in the form of champ; mashed potatoes with finely sliced spring onions blended into the mix.
• Roast Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, roast potatoes are cooked alongside the turkey, absorbing all the delicious flavors from the roasting pan.
• Fried Potatoes: Another Irish favourite, these crispy fried potatoes add even more texture and flavour to the feast.

9. Spiced Roast Beef

For those looking for a bold alternative to turkey and ham, spiced roast beef is a fantastic choice. A specialty in County Cork, spiced beef is a cut of silverside beef rubbed with a unique blend of curing salts, cinnamon, ground cloves, bay leaf, mustard seeds, juniper berries, and sugar. It’s then boiled slowly, resulting in a tender and flavourful dish that’s perfect for the winter months.

This authentic Irish food is served thinly sliced on brown bread, topped with horseradish or apricot chutney.

10. Stuffing

A savoury side made from breadcrumbs, onions, and fresh herbs; stuffing is cooked inside the turkey. There are two varieties to choose from:

• herb bread stuffing
• sausage stuffing

11. Irish Stew

Another favourite at many Irish Christmas tables is Irish stew. Made with either lamb or beef, root vegetables, and plenty of potatoes, this hearty stew is the perfect comfort food for cold winter days of December.

• Sweet Endings | Irish Christmas Desserts (Afternoon & Midnight)

After enjoying a hearty Christmas dinner, it’s time to indulge in the sweet treats. These desserts are rich in flavour, festive cheer, and perfect for wrapping up a delicious holiday meal:

12. Mince Pies

A true Irish Christmas classic! Mince pies are small, spiced pastries filled with a flavourful mixture of dried fruits, suet, and warming spices.

Traditionally served after midnight Mass, these pies offer a cozy treat as families gather to await Santa Claus. Despite the name, ‘mincemeat’ today is made from apples, dried fruits, and spices, without any meat. The bite-sized pastries are baked and served warm, dusted with icing sugar and accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream.

13. Irish Christmas Cake

The centerpiece of many Christmas feasts, the Irish Christmas cake is a rich, dark fruitcake made with raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel, and a blend of spices.

It’s bound together with butter, brown sugar, molasses, and eggs. Traditionally prepared in late October, it’s wrapped and occasionally spiked with whiskey or brandy as it ages and mellows.

Just before Christmas, the cake is unwrapped, coated in marzipan, and topped with royal icing. It’s decorated with seasonal symbols like sugar holly or snowmen. And it stays moist for weeks, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.

14. Guinness Cake

For those craving a heartier dessert, the Guinness cake is a filling treat – perfect for those who want a satisfying after-dinner indulgence. This moist cake, made with the iconic Irish stout, provides a unique depth of flavour.

15. Sherry Trifle

The boozy, layered dessert is a special one, though it’s not always found on restaurant menus in Ireland at Christmas.

The trifle is made by soaking ladyfingers in sherry, followed by layers of fruit jelly, creamy custard, and whipped cream. The final touch includes sweetened whipped cream, glace cherries, and crumbled chocolate flakes. It can be a bit messy to eat, but the indulgent flavour makes it more than worth the effort.

16. Irish Christmas Pudding

An obvious part of a Christmas evening, the Irish Christmas pudding is a warm, spiced dessert made from a mixture of candied cherries, grated apples, almonds, and candied peel. Once the ingredients are combined, the pudding is steamed for hours until it’s rich and flavourful.

You know that most exciting part? A dramatic moment when a tablespoon of brandy is poured over the dessert and set alight, creating a bright blue flame before it’s served with a dollop of brandy butter and a tipple of tawny port.

17. Cadbury’s Roses

Finally, no Irish Christmas dessert spread is complete without a box of chocolate. Cadbury chocolates are a beloved treat during the holiday season – perfect for passing around after dinner or enjoying while winding down.

Irish Christmas Drinks (Throughout the Day)

These festive beverages are perfect for sipping while you relax and gossip with family and friends:

18. Hot Irish Whiskey

Nothing beats a warm and comforting Hot Irish Whiskey. This classic drink combines Irish whiskey, hot water, honey, and lemon to create the perfect blend for cozying up by the fire.

Spiced with cloves and sweetened with a touch of brown sugar, it’s a drink that kicks off the holiday season the moment the nights start getting colder, typically making its first appearance at the end of October. It’s the ideal winter warmer to enjoy as the festive magic begins to fill the air.

19. Whiskey Eggnog

Next up, Whiskey Eggnog offers a festive twist on the classic eggnog we all know and love. Made with smooth Irish whiskey, rich cream, and warm spices, this indulgent drink is perfect for sipping after a hearty Christmas meal.

The addition of Jameson whiskey makes it extra special and is sure to add a touch of merriment to your holiday. This drink pairs perfectly with quiet moments in front of a roaring fire.

20. Irish Coffee

Finally, when it comes to the perfect end to a delicious Christmas dinner, Irish Coffee is the drink of choice.

This beverage takes your regular coffee up a notch. Hot coffee is mixed with brown sugar until smooth, then topped off with a generous shot of Irish whiskey. A layer of thick cream is gently floated over the back of a spoon, and a sprinkle of grated nutmeg finishes this delightful treat.

Conclusion | A Day Full of Irish Christmas Food and Traditions

From a hearty Irish breakfast to a lavish Christmas dinner and indulgent desserts, the Irish Christmas meal is all about celebrating family, tradition, and, of course, great food.

Each dish tells a story of Ireland’s rich culinary heritage – a perfect way to enjoy the holiday season with loved ones.

Whether you’re hosting a full Irish Christmas party or just looking to incorporate some classic Irish dishes into your celebrations, Ma Mooney’s Kitchen has the recipes and inspiration you need to create a memorable Christmas day full of delicious Irish foods.

Wondering where to Find the Best Irish Foods in Perth?

Ma Mooney’s Kitchen brings the tastes of Ireland to your plate. Whether you’re dining in, taking away, or catering for a private function, our menu offers the best authentic Irish foods.

Celebrate Your Christmas with The Best Irish Foods at Ma Mooney’s Kitchen

This Christmas, let us take you on a culinary journey to Ireland with our authentic Irish foods. Order now or visit us to experience the warmth and joy of home-cooked Christmas dinner—the Irish way.

Cheers to a very merry Irish Christmas!