St. Patrick’s Day is basically a free pass to turn every meal green. Some of it makes sense. Some of it’s a stretch. But if you’re gonna commit, you might as well do it right. Fresh herbs, leafy greens, matcha and pistachios bring the color while chocolate and mint keep things interesting.

Green Oatmeal
Oatmeal with a secret: it’s got spinach blended in, but you won’t taste it. Bananas, oats, and milk keep it creamy and slightly sweet, making it a great way to sneak in some extra greens.
Get the Recipe: Green Oatmeal
Green Pancakes
These pancakes are naturally green thanks to spinach, not food coloring. A great way to start St. Patrick’s Day with something fun and packed with nutrients.
Get the Recipe: Green Pancakes
Healthy Shamrock Shake
A homemade version of the fast-food classic, but without all the artificial junk. Real mint, real ingredients, and a smooth, creamy texture that makes it a great St. Paddy’s Day drink.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Shamrock Shake
Matcha Bread
A quick bread with matcha for a subtle green tea flavor and a natural pop of color. Sliced almonds on top add some crunch to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Bread
Matcha Ice Cream
Coconut milk makes this ice cream extra creamy, and matcha gives it a natural green hue. A great dairy-free option that actually tastes good.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Ice Cream
Chocolate Matcha Shortbread Cookies
Buttery shortbread cookies with a hit of matcha and a drizzle of chocolate. Crisp, slightly sweet, and a great addition to a St. Patrick’s Day snack tray.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Matcha Shortbread Cookies
Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup
This soup blends Brussels sprouts and garlic into a smooth, creamy texture, all done in minutes with a blender. A simple way to pack in some greens.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup
St. Patrick’s Day Dog Treats
Let your pup in on the St. Paddy’s Day fun with these fresh, green treats. Packed with herbs and made with real ingredients, they’re a festive way to spoil your dog without any weird additives. A lucky snack for your four-legged friend!
Get the Recipe: St. Patrick’s Day Dog Treats
Spinach Artichoke Bites
That creamy, cheesy spinach-artichoke dip everyone loves? Now in a bite-sized form you don’t need a chip for. These little guys are great for parties, snacks, or just an excuse to eat dip in a new way.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Bites
Mint Chip Ice Cream
Skip the neon green store-bought stuff. This homemade mint chip ice cream is creamy, packed with fresh mint flavor, and way better than anything in a carton. Just six ingredients, no machine needed, and it’s ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chip Ice Cream
Matcha Cake With Frosting
This cake is soft, fluffy, and covered in a whipped matcha frosting that brings a mellow green tea flavor. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you want a dessert that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Cake With Frosting
Sweet Spinach Muffins
These muffins get their green color from spinach, but don’t worry—you won’t taste it. A quick blend of ingredients, a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, and you’ve got a batch of muffins that work for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Spinach Muffins
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey
These peppers bring the luck of a balanced meal—protein, veggies, and rice, all stuffed into one easy-to-make dish. Great for a weeknight dinner that actually fills you up.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey
Pistachio Fudge
Green fudge? Yep, and it’s packed with pistachio flavor. Just four ingredients and a microwave are all you need to make this quick and easy treat. No waiting for the holidays—this one belongs on the St. Paddy’s Day dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fudge
Leprechaun Bark
Chocolate bark, but make it festive. This easy, microwave-friendly treat is covered in green candies and sprinkles, making it perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. A great way to get creative with toppings and make something fun.
Get the Recipe: Leprechaun Bark
Pandan Cake
Light, airy, and naturally green, this sponge cake brings a nutty flavor and a bright pop of color to any table. If you’ve never had pandan before, this is the one to try.
Get the Recipe: Pandan Cake
Oreo Mint Cheesecake
Creamy, no-bake cheesecake with an Oreo crust and a minty kick. Takes barely any time to put together, and if you serve it in shot glasses, it instantly turns into a party dessert.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Mint Cheesecake
Peppermint Whipped Cream
Add some St. Paddy’s Day flair to coffee, cocoa, or desserts with this peppermint whipped cream. A quick way to make anything feel more festive.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Whipped Cream
Sweet Pea Purée
A bright green side dish that actually tastes great. Smooth, creamy, and packed with peas, this one fits right in on a St. Patrick’s Day menu.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Pea Purée
Watergate Salad
A throwback dessert that still holds up. Pistachio pudding, marshmallows, and pineapple come together in minutes for a no-bake treat that’s great for parties.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad
Bagel Cucumber Rolls with Smoked Salmon
These bite-sized rolls pack in everything you love about bagels, just without the bread. Crisp cucumber, smoked salmon, and cream cheese wrapped up with everything bagel seasoning. A great way to bring some green to your appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Bagel Cucumber Rolls with Smoked Salmon
Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl
There’s no bad way to eat broccoli cheddar soup, but serving it in a sourdough bread bowl makes it next-level. The crispy bread soaks up every bite of cheesy soup, making it the perfect comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl
Shamrock Rice Krispie Treats
Classic rice krispie treats, but shaped like shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. Soft, gooey, and easy to make—these are a great way to bring some green to the dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Shamrock Rice Krispie Treats
Protein Shamrock Shake
Thick, creamy, and packed with fresh mint flavor, this shake is all real ingredients and no weird dyes. A great way to enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day classic without feeling like you just drank a milkshake the size of your head.
Get the Recipe: Protein Shamrock Shake
Avocado Mint Nice Cream
Avocado makes this ice cream smooth, creamy, and naturally green. Just four ingredients, packed with healthy fats, and a fresh mint flavor that actually tastes real.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Mint Nice Cream
Pistachio Tiramisu
Take a classic tiramisu, swap in pistachio mascarpone cream, and you’ve got a dessert that’s rich, nutty, and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. No baking required, and it actually tastes better after sitting overnight.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Tiramisu
Italian Pistachio Cookies
These light, chewy cookies are packed with almond and pistachio flavors, rolled in powdered sugar, and crackled on top. They look great, taste even better, and just happen to fit the green theme.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pistachio Cookies
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.