Everyone knows about the traditional corn beef and cabbage meal to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. However, your menu for this festive day should not be limited to this classic dish. You can lean into the spirit of the holiday by serving a menu full of green foods. Here are a few ideas to get you started on your St. Patrick’s Day party planning.
Do you have some leftover Girl Scout thin mint cookies in your pantry? There is no better use for them than in this thin mint milkshake. The thin mints cookies combine with vanilla ice cream and creme de menthe to delivery a minty cool cup of goodness. Be sure to add some green food coloring to fit the occasion.
Green Bloody Mary
Hosting a brunch with friends to celebrate the Irish holiday? These green bloody marys will fit the bill perfectly. What differentiates this drink while also giving it its distinctive green hue is the addition of tomatillos and yellow tomatoes used in place of the traditional red tomato. The jalapeno adds more green coloring while kicking it up a notch in spiciness. Be sure to add green garnishes such as olives, celery, and pickled asparagus to add to the theme of the day.
Watergate Salad
For something sweet but decidedly light, try this fluffy watergate salad. You can use this salad as either a side dish or a dessert. The recipe gets its green color from the pistachio pudding mix. Whipped topping, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and toasted pecans blend beautifully to create a unique taste. Watergate salad is a delightful early spring salad.
Zucchini Tater Tots
For a fun appetizer idea, you may want to look into these cute zucchini tater tots. Rather than using a traditional potato for these tots, sub in zucchini instead to give it a greenish tint. You will need about five cups of grated zucchini to make a big dish of these tasty morsels. The addition of two types of cheeses adds a layer of sharpness to these tots. Serve them with ranch dipping sauce on the side.
Salsa Verde Chicken
There is no easier dinner than this salsa verde chicken recipe. The chicken cooks slowly in your slow cooker, making it a simple meal that you can pull together the morning of St. Patrick’s Day to serve later. The roasted salsa verde salsa adds the perfect amount of heat with a colorful green sauce. You can use this chicken as a filling for burritos or enchiladas or serve it over rice.
Pea Soup with Quinoa
This colorful pea soup with quinoa is creamy and delicious. As a bonus, this soup is low in calories and fat and high in fiber, making it a good choice for those still sticking to those New Year’s resolutions to eat better. The recipe comes together in about 30 minutes while adding an elegant touch to any St. Patrick’s Day dinner table. You can add another layer of texture to this soup with toppings such as croutons, parmesan cheese, or crackers.
Green Beans Amandine
Green beans are the ideal side dish for St. Patrick’s Day because of their deep green hue. This green beans amandine recipe is inspired by the traditional French version, elevating ordinary green beans to something much fancier. You will see the most success perfecting the crisp green beans by choosing the thinner haricots verts. The beans are topped with sliced almonds, shallots, and fresh lemon juice. You will never look at green beans in the same way again.
Leprechaun Popcorn
Need a fun snack for a casual get-together? Try this fun leprechaun popcorn. Kids will particularly delight in this sweet popcorn recipe. All that you need is a bag of microwave popcorn, green chocolate candy melts, white chocolate candy melts, green mint M&M candies, and green sprinkles. If you cannot find the candy melts in the grocery store, you may have more luck at a craft store or baking supply retail outlet.
Creamed Spinach
This is not your grandma’s creamed spinach. Everyone will gobble up this savory creamed spinach recipe the minute that you set it on the table. Heavy cream, cream cheese, milk, and parmesan combine to create a decadent side dish. For an added dose of flavor, try a pinch of nutmeg to top the recipe.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach and artichoke dip is always a hit at any gathering and this recipe will be no exception. A variety of fresh herbs, such as mint and parsley, add both flavor and green color to this popular appetizer. The addition of walnuts provides crunch and more texture. Serve this dip with crackers, crostini, carrots, and celery.
Sweet Pea Risotto
While risotto may have a reputation of being a difficult recipe to perfect, this sweet pea risotto could not be any easier. Arborio rice is the base of this recipe that also features frozen peas, parmesan cheese, white wine, onion, and more. You can serve this dish as a side dish or make it the star entree by including a green salad and garlic bread. For a protein punch, top the risotto with grilled chicken, shrimp, or scallops.
Pesto Pasta
Who says that you cannot serve Italian food on St. Patrick’s Day? This pesto pasta will brighten up your St. Patrick’s Day table with its green color and bold taste. If you do not have time to make your own pesto, feel free to sub in store-bought pesto. Serve this green pasta dish with a Caesar salad.
Lime Poke Cake
Everyone at your St. Patrick’s Day gathering will appreciate the zesty taste of this lime poke cake. Not only will this cake look beautiful on your table, but it also tastes delicious. The tart lime flavoring balances the slightly sweetened whipped cream topping. Be sure to serve this cake just barely chilled for the best flavor.
March 17 will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start thinking about how you will commemorate this day.
