Why Eggs Are Essential for St. Patrick’s Day Menus and Brunch Specials

Who is Saint Patrick?

Saint Patrick was born in the fourth century. At the age of 16 he was enslaved and brought to Ireland, spending six years in captivity before escaping. During his captivity he became fascinated with Christianity, soon after his release he became a Christian missionary and  after some time became the country of Ireland’s patron saint. He is celebrated for spreading the Christianity religion to the Irish people, while also founding many churches and schools. Although his name might suggest that he was a saint, he was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church. It is “believed that he is referred to as “Saint” Patrick for his significant contributions to the church in Ireland.

The Rise of Saint Patrick’s Day Brunch

Brunch during Saint Patrick’s Day has become a common way to celebrate the holiday. With restaurants often blending traditional Irish fare with festive, early-day celebrations. Capitalizing on the holiday’s festive energy by offering themed brunch menus, such as Irish breakfast, corned beef hash (with egg substitute for the meat), and green drinks. Brunch offers an elevated dining experience when compared to evening pub crawls, this is a more family-friendly way to celebrate. Popular brunch drinks can include:

How Food Businesses Can Prepare for St. Patrick’s Menu Trends

Businesses should base their decisions on data rather than instinct. By analyzing insights from previous years and reviewing forecasts for the current year, companies can better prepare for seasonal demand. For this holiday, the primary demographic is expected to include young professionals, college students, individuals celebrating Irish heritage, and people simply looking to join in the festivities. Menus and promotions should be planned with this audience in mind, including thoughtful pricing strategies and themed offerings that appeal to their interests. Demand is typically higher for certain items during this holiday, particularly beer, whiskey, traditional Irish dishes, and menu items featuring green or festive elements. Ensuring adequate inventory and supply is essential so restaurants can meet increased customer demand and provide a seamless experience for those celebrating the occasion.

Since the holiday is a full day event, brunch is the perfect opportunity for restaurant to boost revenue before the evening crowds arrive later in the day. Many restaurants often consider adding these items to their menu:

• Irish Eggs Benedict
• Loaded Irish Breakfast Bowl
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Irish Soda Bread
• Green Eggs and Ham

These meals kick off the holiday in a festive way, setting the tone for a day filled with Irish spirit and plenty of green.

Traditional Saint Patrick Irish Dishes That Use Eggs

Irish Eggs Benedict is a flavorful twist on the classic brunch favorite, featuring perfectly poached eggs layered over toasted bread and savory Corned Beef or traditional Irish meats. Topped with rich hollandaise sauce, this hearty dish blends classic breakfast comfort with the bold flavors often enjoyed during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Ingredients | Serves: 2

• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup of cooked corned beef, shredded and at room temperature or warmed
• 1 English muffin, t5oasted and torn into bite sized pieces
• Parsley for garnish
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour

Steps (estimated time, 25 minutes):

1. Poach or soft oil the eggs and set aside
2. Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a small pot over medium high heat and whisk in the flour. Whish in the milk and bring to a summer. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Stir in the cheese until melted.
3. Place the torn English muffin or soda bread on a plate.
4. Put a generous amount of corned beef on top of the muffin. Top with poached egg, and pour the cheese sauce overall. Garnish with parsley and serve at once.

A Full Irish Breakfast is a hearty traditional morning meal that typically includes eggs, sausages, bacon, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast. Known for its rich flavors and generous portions, it’s a classic comfort dish often enjoyed during festive occasions like St. Patrick’s Day.

Ingredients | Serves: 4

• 8 sausages
• 4 hash browns
• 8 slices black pudding
• Butter or Oil
• 8 bacon slices
• 8 mushrooms
• 1 large tomato
• 4 eggs
• 14 ounces baked beans

Steps (estimated time, 25 minutes):

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius)
2. Place the sausages, hash browns and black pudding slices onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment (for easy cleanup) and bake them until ready.
3. About 10 minutes into baking, tur the sausages, hash browns and black pudding around for even cooking. Heat a little butter/oil in a large skillet/frying pan and fry bacon slices until cooked through. When ready, wrap them in a sheet of aluminum foil to keep them warm.
4. In the same skillet/frying pan, fry the mushrooms and tomato (add more oil/butter, if needed). When ready, wrap them in the aluminum foil.
5. Check the items in the oven, some may already be done. If so, take them out.
6. Clean the skillet with a kitchen paper towel and add a little oil. When hot, crack the eggs in and fry on low/medium heat until they look to your liking. Using the lid will speed up the cooking process.
7. Heat up the beans (either in a microwave or in a skillet/frying pan).
8. When ready, serve all the ingredients either on a baking tray, in a frying pan or plated individually

Green Eggs and Ham is a playful twist on a classic breakfast dish, featuring scrambled eggs tinted green, often with herbs or spinach, served alongside savory ham. The vibrant color makes it a fun and festive option for celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day, adding a bit of holiday spirit to a traditional egg breakfast.

Ingredients | Serves: 4 – 6

• 2 cups packed baby spinach, arugula, or baby kale
• 1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves, plus more for serving
• 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup olive oil
• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 slices deli ham, such as black forest ham or honey ha,

Steps (estimated time, 20 minutes):

1. Place 2 cups packed baby spinach, 1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves, 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, and 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until finely chopped, 10 to 12 (1-second) pulses. With the processor running, drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil until the herbs are very finely chopped and the oil holidayis green, about 1 minute.
2. Place 6 large eggs and a pinch of kosher salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine and break up the eggs. Fold in 1/4 cup of the spinach sauce. (The remaining sauce can be saved for future use.)
3. Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium skillet over low heat. Add the eggs and cook low and slow, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until the eggs form tender, large curds of eggs, but the eggs are still quite moist, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. While the eggs cook, place 8 (1/4-inch-thick) deli ham slices in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
5. Serve the warmed eggs on toast with the ham on the side. Top the eggs with more parsley if desired.

Why Eggs Unlimited?

At Eggs Unlimited, we understand that seasonal celebrations often bring sudden spikes in demand and tighter timelines. With decades of experience in global egg sourcing and distribution, our team is well equipped to help customers navigate these moments with confidence. Whether it’s supplying shell eggs, liquid eggs, or egg products for high-volume production, we work to ensure our partners have consistent access to the ingredients they need.

We collaborate with a network of trusted farmers and suppliers who prioritize responsible farming practices and high-quality production standards. This commitment allows us to provide reliable supply while supporting producers who care for their animals and the environment.

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