20 Healthy Green Recipes to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
We’re all about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with some green grub. We also strongly prefer healthy recipes. And sorry, folks—that dyed green beer and bagel aren’t winning any nutrition awards. (In fact, that food coloring may have some not-so-great side effects.) Here are 29 recipes to celebrate being green the healthy way.
Breakfast
Photo: Tartine and Apron Strings
1. Savory Green Pancakes
When classic buttermilk and maple syrup just won’t do, take pancakes the savory route. (They’ll probably go better with that naturally-dyed green beer, too). These cakes get their color from spinach (or any leafy greens) and are flavored with cumin, yogurt, and green onion. Eat up!
When classic buttermilk and maple syrup just won’t do, take pancakes the savory route. (They’ll probably go better with that naturally-dyed green beer, too). These cakes get their color from spinach (or any leafy greens) and are flavored with cumin, yogurt, and green onion. Eat up!
2. Green Smoothie
Spinach and kale give this delicious beverage its beautiful green hue. Plus, they offer tons of antioxidants and vitamins (namely iron and vitamins A and C). The addition of banana, mango, andginger create a distinct, crave-able flavor (and add even more nutritional power).
Spinach and kale give this delicious beverage its beautiful green hue. Plus, they offer tons of antioxidants and vitamins (namely iron and vitamins A and C). The addition of banana, mango, andginger create a distinct, crave-able flavor (and add even more nutritional power).
3. Green Egg Casserole
This breakfast dish is perfect for feeding a crowd. Simply throw together some eggs, frozen spinach, milk, whole-grain bread, and cheese and bake until cooked through! Add any other green veggies you like, too (pepper or jalapeno would be especially tasty).
This breakfast dish is perfect for feeding a crowd. Simply throw together some eggs, frozen spinach, milk, whole-grain bread, and cheese and bake until cooked through! Add any other green veggies you like, too (pepper or jalapeno would be especially tasty).
4. Shamrock Smoothie
Kiwi and grapes take center stage in this pale-green breakfast smoothie, packed with vitamin C and fiber. (Just please forgo the optional green food coloring the recipe calls for.)
Kiwi and grapes take
5. Matcha Green Tea Coconut Pancakes
Made with coconut flour, matcha powder, buttermilk, and egg whites, these pancakes are winning the healthy flapjack game. Serve up a stack of these bad boys topped with Greek yogurt, crunchypistachios, and a drizzle of honey.
Made with coconut flour, matcha powder, buttermilk, and egg whites, these pancakes are winning the healthy flapjack game. Serve up a stack of these bad boys topped with Greek yogurt, crunchypistachios, and a drizzle of honey.
6. Detox Pancakes
Rolled oats add some extra fiber to these cakes. Spinach creates the festive color, while banana and cinnamon give them some special flavor.
Rolled oats add some extra fiber to these cakes. Spinach creates the festive color, while banana and cinnamon give them some special flavor.
7. Pear and Arugula Smoothie
A squeeze of fresh orange brightens up this green smoothie. Greek yogurt gives it a protein-rich body, and peppery arugula lends an atypical flavor (which is balanced out by the sweetness of the pear).
A squeeze of fresh orange brightens up this green smoothie. Greek yogurt gives it a protein-rich body, and peppery arugula lends an atypical flavor (which is balanced out by the sweetness of the pear).
Soups, Salads, and Sides
Photo: Martha Stewart
8. Minted Pea Mash
This is one simple, healthy, and delicious side dish that will go well with just about any St. Patrick’s Day celebration meal. Plus, it’s bright green. It’s simple to make, too: just a dab of butter, frozen peas, mint, salt, and pepper!
This is one simple, healthy, and delicious side dish that will go well with just about any St. Patrick’s Day celebration meal. Plus, it’s bright green. It’s simple to make, too: just a dab of butter, frozen peas, mint, salt, and pepper!
9. Colcannon
The classic Irish dish gets revamped here, using kale and leek instead of the traditional cabbage. (Though using kale and cabbage would get you double superfood points!)
The classic Irish dish gets revamped here, using kale and leek instead of the traditional cabbage. (Though using kale and cabbage would get you double superfood points!)
10. Crispy Green Beans with Pesto
These lightly sautéed green beans go perfectly with fresh, homemade pesto. This dish is fancy enough to satisfy the foodies at any St. Paddy’s Day get-together and also simple enough that the green-bagel-loving crowd won’t be scared away.
These lightly sautéed green beans go perfectly with fresh, homemade pesto. This dish is fancy enough to satisfy the foodies at any St. Paddy’s Day get-together and also simple enough that the green-bagel-loving crowd won’t be scared away.
11. Green Rice
Brown rice is simply flavored and given some color with fresh cilantro, peas, and cumin—a simple and flavorful side dish for any table!
Brown rice is simply flavored and given some color with fresh cilantro, peas, and cumin—a simple and flavorful side dish for any table!
12. Green Tomato Mozzarella Stacks
No, these green tomatoes are not fried. But they still take a delicious center stage in this fun salad recipe. Layer thick slices of fresh green tomatoes with equally sized slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, and drizzle the top with herb-packed green goddess salad dressing.
No, these green tomatoes are not fried. But they still take a delicious center stage in this fun salad recipe. Layer thick slices of fresh green tomatoes with equally sized slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, and drizzle the top with herb-packed green goddess salad dressing.
Snacks
Photo: Adventures in Cooking
13. Avocado Fries
Yes, you read right. Full disclosure: This recipe calls for frying the breaded fingers of green deliciousness, but we bet that they would work out just as well baked. Give it a try! Similarly, try making the cilantro-lemon dipping sauce with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Yes, you read right. Full disclosure: This recipe calls for frying the breaded fingers of green deliciousness, but we bet that they would work out just as well baked. Give it a try! Similarly, try making the cilantro-lemon dipping sauce with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
14. Fresh Fava Bean Almond Spread
This simple spread is perfect for sharing with a crowd. Plus, it’s easy to customize with whatever type of beans or peas you have available. Fava beans give a nice creamy texture while chopped almonds add some crunch.
This simple spread is perfect for sharing with a crowd. Plus, it’s easy to customize with whatever type of beans or peas you have available. Fava beans give a nice creamy texture while chopped almonds add some crunch.
15. Cucumber Feta Rolls
Super-thin cucumber slices give these rolls a festive outer layer. Inside, there’s a protein-rich Greek yogurt, feta, sun-dried tomato, and olive filling.
Super-thin cucumber slices give these rolls a festive outer layer. Inside, there’s a protein-rich Greek yogurt, feta, sun-dried tomato, and olive filling.
16. Green Falafel
Falafel is one of those go-to drunk foods. Or, basically, the perfect St. Paddy’s afternoon snack! These little guys are full of protein- and fiber-rich chickpeas, parsley, garlic, and cilantro.
Falafel is one of those go-to drunk foods. Or, basically, the perfect St. Paddy’s afternoon snack! These little guys are full of protein- and fiber-rich chickpeas, parsley, garlic, and cilantro.
17. Kale Chips
These are one of our favorite snacks, period. It’s just an added bonus that they’re green! Plus, they’re the perfect healthy alternative to regular old potato chips.
These are one of our favorite snacks, period. It’s just an added bonus that they’re green! Plus, they’re the perfect healthy alternative to regular old potato chips.
18. Avocado Cornbread
While this quick bread won’t exactly be bright green, the avocados do give it a slightly green hue (certainly enough to celebrate). Plus, the addition of avocado allows you to cut out the other fats in this recipe.
While this quick bread won’t exactly be bright green, the avocados do give it a slightly green hue (certainly enough to celebrate). Plus, the addition of avocado allows you to cut out the other fats in this recipe.
19. Leprechaun Dip
White beans make a protein-packed base for this green dip, while kale gives it some color. Cashews, tahini, and parsley all make a flavorful appearance too!
White beans make a protein-packed base for this green dip, while kale gives it some color. Cashews, tahini, and parsley all make a flavorful appearance too!
20. Cucumber Cups With Spicy Crab
When they’re cut into 2-inch chunks and scooped out in the middle, cucumbers make great little edible serving cups! This slightly spicy, creamy crab filling is the perfect mix of decadent, while still tasting fresh and light.
When they’re cut into 2-inch chunks and scooped out in the middle, cucumbers make great little edible serving cups! This slightly spicy, creamy crab filling is the perfect mix of decadent, while still tasting fresh and light.
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