Gone are the days when we’d have Irish stew for dinner at least once a week. Now, it’s a rare occasion that the family would sit down together and enjoy a bowl of this traditional hearty dish.
A delicious warming dish filled with root vegetables and mutton or beef drowned in thick gravy sauce, Irish stew used to be a staple weekly dish in every household across the island.
However, as times, tastes, and lifestyles have changed, this iconic meal has seen a massive decline in popularity across Ireland. So much so that we’d have to say Irish stew is no longer Ireland’s national dish.
With global cuisine gaining popularity across the island, work schedules taking precedence over time spent in the kitchen, and many people opting to adopt a plant-based diet, Irish stew is slowly fading away. Here’s why…
- Gone are the days when we’d have Irish stew for dinner at least once a week. Now, it’s a rare occasion that the family would sit down together and enjoy a bowl of this traditional hearty dish.
- What is Irish stew? – Ireland’s former national dish
- The increase in global cuisine – our tastes are becoming international
- Lifestyle changes – less time spent in the kitchen
- The rise of veganism – moving away from a meat-heavy diet
- The rivals – Ireland’s most popular dishes today
What is Irish stew? – Ireland’s former national dish
Before we start explaining why Irish stew is no longer Ireland’s national dish, we thought we’d begin by offering a short introduction to what it actually is – for those who don’t already know.
A warm and hearty meal featuring an array of root vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, and onions, combined with either mutton or beef, Irish stew is cooked in a thick stock or gravy. A healthy and comforting meal, it offers a great way to warm up during the cold Irish winters.
There’s no denying this dish is hearty, delicious, and full of flavour, an all-round winner that tastes exactly how it feels to spend time in Ireland. However, that hasn’t saved it from losing its crown as Ireland’s national dish.
The increase in global cuisine – our tastes are becoming international
Irish stew is a traditional Irish dish made with ingredients that can be easily sourced from across the island. However, as we’ve become more of a global society, international influence has played a huge role in many areas of our lives, including our cuisine.
With immigration and improved access to different ingredients, our eating habits and tastes have changed drastically over the past 50 years. Nowadays in Ireland, many people eat a vast array of international dishes with the traditional classics becoming less and less popular.
For example, Italian, Chinese, and Indian dishes are some of the most popular across the island. Popular weekly meals made at home include everything from stir fry to spaghetti bolognese, Mexican fajitas to pizza.
When dining out, more and more people opt for global flavours, with restaurants across the island offering a vast selection of options. The most popular being Chinese, followed by Italian, then Thai, then Indian, then Mexican.
Lifestyle changes – less time spent in the kitchen
Irish stew is not a quick dish to prepare. Think about it, how could something that tastes that rich and comforting be prepared in under 30 minutes? The ingredients need time to stew.
Because of this need for preparation, Irish stew is no longer Ireland’s national dish. In the past, one family member, normally the mother, would stay at home, keeping the household and preparing the meals.
However, as lifestyles have changed and we’ve moved into the 21st century, many families have two full-time working parents. This means that no one has the time – or energy – to spend hours in the kitchen preparing the dinner.
The rise of veganism – moving away from a meat-heavy diet
Another reason that Irish stew is no longer Ireland’s national dish is the rise of alternative diet choices. Many people in Ireland have adopted either a vegan or vegetarian diet with the consumption of meat steadily declining year on year.
Whether it’s for health reasons, concern for animal rights, or environmental sustainability, vegetarianism and veganism have seen a steady increase across the island.
For reference, the Vegan Society of Ireland conducted a survey, which showed that the number of vegans in the country had more than quadrupled in the last decade, with over 10,000 people now following a vegan diet!
Being vegan, however, does not necessarily mean you can’t have an amazing stew! Try this vegan Irish Stew recipe that even carnivores will love!
The rivals – Ireland’s most popular dishes today
All of these factors and more have contributed to the fact that Irish stew is no longer Ireland’s national dish. Now, however, we’ll reveal some dishes that have gained popularity across Ireland – and might just be the new contenders for the title of Ireland’s national dish.
More often these days, you’ll hear people in Ireland talk about the delights of a spice bag. This tasty fast food dish can be found in most Chinese takeaways across the island.
Spicy, convenient, and full of flavour, it normally consists of deep-fried salt and chilli chips, salt and chilli chicken, fried onions, peppers, chillies, and a variety of spices.
Another popular choice across the island is the humble chicken fillet roll. A modern national delicacy, this tasty dish proves popular among hungry office workers looking for a quick and tasty lunch.
Expect a crusty white baguette filled with breaded chicken, lashings of butter and mayo, and salad vegetables.
As an island, Ireland boasts a vast array of seafood options, from prawns and lobster to fish pie and more. Thus, it should come as no surprise that one of the contenders for the title of Ireland’s national dish is the humble fish and chip supper.
A Friday night favourite, this dish is often served in the chipper and features a delicious wild Atlantic cod cooked to perfection in a crispy golden batter served with a huge portion of chunky chips and some mushy peas or tartare sauce on the side.
Our mouths are watering at the thought!
