Green Meals For St. Patrick’s Day

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on this site, I may earn a commission.
Read my Privacy Policy.

Celebrate green and clean this year with these healthy green meals for St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s day is a funny thing in the States. It’s the one time each year that people seek out green food and drinks, and they aren’t necessarily the healthy variety either. Everything from green beer to green sausage is part of the Americanized version of this holiday.

Green Food For St. Patrick’s Day

And what’s funnier, is that this holiday is a very different experience in Ireland. At least that is what I have been told by people who live there. They don’t do all the “crazy American green stuff” like we do, if they celebrate it at all. And corn beef and cabbage is not something the Irish immediately seek out for a celebration.

But Americans often look for any reason to celebrate with food, so it’s here to stay. While green food concoctions seem to be getting more and more “creative” as time goes on, that doesn’t mean you have to overdo it in order to celebrate. Instead of filling your body with all that green chemical food coloring and garbage food, how about eating some healthy, green foods that are actually beneficial due to their green coloring. Foods like spinach, avocado and broccoli.

I realize this isn’t as appealing for many people, but it certainly can be! Healthy food is incredibly delicious if you prepare it correctly.

And no, not all of these recipes are Irish. But then, neither is some of the green goo we use to celebrate this day in America. And at least you’ll be safe from those pesky little pinching leprechauns at meal time. So go ahead. Wear your green on the inside too!!

A Foodie’s Guide to St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about parades and wearing green. It’s a day to celebrate with incredible food! Whether you want a totally green breakfast, a festive lunch, or a comforting dinner, this list has you covered. These recipes bring good-for-you nutrients to your table, making your St. Paddy’s celebration as delicious as it is fun.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast

Part of the fun of this holiday is enjoying green foods, and breakfast is one of the easiest meals to turn green. Here are some healthy options that are sure to keep you from getting pinched.

📌 Recipes to Try

Cinnamon Apple Smoothie – If you love apples and cinnamon, this is a great way to start your morning. Tons of fiber and flavor will keep you full until lunch.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie – For a more robust smoothie with peanut flavor, you can’t go wrong with this green start to your day.

Green Lemon & Pineapple Smoothie – If light and refreshing is the way you like to start your morning, this is the green drink for you.

Avocado Toast With Cucumber – If you prefer to chew rather than drink your breakfast, try some avocado toast. There is plenty of green there to start your day with.

Irish Goody – An old, traditional Irish food that has faded from popularity over the centuries, but is still incredibly delicious.

Traditionally Irish

Curious about what a more traditional Irish breakfast would look like? A traditional Irish Breakfast is a plate loaded with eggs, sausage, black pudding, and tomatoes.

🥪 St. Patrick’s Day Lunch

Yep, lunch can be green too. While these aren’t traditionally Irish, they definitely satisfy the American urge to eat green food for St. Patrick’s Day.

📌 Recipes to Try

Avocado Cashew Salad – This is a robust, filling, and satisfying salad that avocado lovers will adore.

Raw Asian Broccoli Salad – You’ll get plenty of roughage with this raw salad. It’s packed with delicious flavors and will keep you full until dinner.

Citrus Celery Salad – If you like taking salads for lunch, consider the humble stalk of celery. When paired properly with the right ingredients, it becomes a delicious dish you can’t stop eating.

Garlic Asparagus Penne Pasta – A delicious pasta salad with plenty of green, that packs up easily to take to work or school.

Traditionally Irish… err… American

More traditional Irish-American foods that aren’t necessarily green but definitely more Irish would be as follows:

• Irish Potato Soup – Creamy and comforting, perfect with a slice of soda bread.
• Corned Beef Sandwiches – A classic piled high with tangy mustard and cabbage slaw.
• Rainbow Veggie Wraps – A fun nod to the holiday with colorful, healthy ingredients.

🍲 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

Dinner is the main event! Make it hearty and celebratory. Irish dinners are known for being warm, cozy, and perfect for a crowd. These comfort foods are no exception.

📌 Recipes to Try:

Shepherd’s Pie – This traditional dish gets a healthy cleanup.

Potato Leek Soup – You can’t skip the potato soup, and this one is downright delish.

Avocado Pesto Alfredo – If you prefer pasta, this is a great way to still enjoy a green meal.

Irish Soda Bread – Don’t pass up this wonderful side to any main course. While it’s not green, it’s traditional and delicious. And I’m sure, if you put your mind to it, you could turn this bread green as well.

Traditionally Irish

More traditional foods you might find for dinner in Ireland are as follows:

• Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, rich, and full of deep flavors. Not as healthy, but definitely more traditional.
• Shepherd’s Pie – A classic, but with a dairy-free or plant-based option, too.
• Colcannon – Creamy mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage for a pop of green.

☘️ Bonus: St. Patrick’s Day Drinks & Desserts

• Drinks: Irish coffee, matcha lattes, green smoothies, green lemonade, or a festive mocktail.
• Desserts: Shamrock shakes or pistachio pudding.

No matter how you celebrate, these recipes will bring a little Irish magic to your kitchen and your table. What green foods will you enjoy this year? Share in a comment below!