31 Festive Green Foods To Enjoy On St. Patrick’s Day

Mochi donuts, also called pon de ring donuts, are a crispy, springy, sweet treat that combines the chewy texture of Japanese mochi with the crispy fried goodness of the American donut. Instead of referring to the contents of the donut, the name is inspired by a Japanese term that describes the texture, mochi-mochi, which is a chewy, pillowy texture. The best part of the donut is undoubtedly the glaze. You can go with one, two, or all of the glazes we added here (we're pretty partial towards our matcha-hazelnut glaze), or come up with your own flavor combinations!

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Pistachios, mint, cilantro, dill, and parsley combine to turn these bright green! Bonus: These falafel are baked, not fried, for less mess.

Get the Herby Baked Falafel Bites with Spicy Mint Tahini Dip recipe.

Because the original Mcdonald's shamrock shake is only available for a limited time, we made our own so we can enjoy it year-round. Another perk? Being able to add booze.

Get the Shamrock Shakes recipe.

It’s not so hard to eat your greens when they come in vegan pasta salad form. Sweet baby spinach is great here, but peppery arugula or tender baby kale would work well too.

Get the Super Green Pasta Salad recipe.

Mint chocolate lovers will lose their minds over this no-bake summer dessert. We used mint Oreos, but if you already have the classic kind on hand, feel free to use those instead. Adding mint extract to the cheesecake layer is what's absolutely key.

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Poblanos and cilantro turn this pasta perfectly green! Feel free to reduce the amount of poblanos to 2 or 3, supplementing with roasted green bell pepper instead if you're not a fan of spice.

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While most green goddess dressings rely on mayonnaise and one to two herbs for their creaminess and pale green color, we achieve the same flavor profile by using kale, cauliflower, 4 different herbs, and just a touch of Greek yogurt. The result is a vibrant green soup that’s pretty much a garden in a bowl.

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Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made of creamy mashed potatoes and some green veggie. Most typically you'll find cabbage or kale, paired with some green aromatics like leeks and chives. Here, we opt for a scallion and kale combo for vibrant color and deeper, nuttier flavors. You can fold in things like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or even kimchi too!

Get the Best Colcannon recipe.

You can't celebrate St. Paddy's without a pint of green beer. All it takes is a little green food coloring to add some hue to your brew.

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What isn’t pesto good in? It’s a sauce that turns any dish into kitchen gold, especially this totally comforting and delicious gnocchi and chicken bake. For the perfect pesto touch, stir a dollop into the tomato mixture to coat everything, then dollop the top with more right out of the oven for a fresh finish.

Get the Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet recipe.

There are lots of ways to add spice to your meals, but when we’re looking for something really special, we turn to Sichuan peppercorns. These peppers bring a unique herbal spice with a gentle numbing effect to the lips and tongue. Paired with a few other unexpected ingredients, these peppercorns add new intrigue to the old standby of pesto and pasta.

Get the Sichuan Pesto Noodles recipe.

If you love avocados, or even if you just love their beautiful green color, these soft, vibrant pancakes will be your new love at the breakfast table. Top them with blueberries, bananas, or chocolate chips, or eat them plain if that's your thing—they're good any which way!

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Originating in North Africa and now strongly associated with Israeli cuisine, shakshuka typically involves a sauce of tomatoes and red peppers. Our take on this simmered skillet breakfast spins the color wheel, thanks to roasted tomatillos and Swiss chard, and takes flavor inspiration from Mexico. We top these eggs cooked in a tangy, spicy salsa verde with cotija cheese and avocado, but the topping choices are endless, from chorizo to toasted pine nuts.

Get the Green Shakshuka recipe.

If there's one thing we know about zucchini, it's that it comes in droves in the summertime. Of course, we love it sautéed plain and in savory zucchini cakes. And we'll never turn down a stuffed zucchini boat (with mac 'n' cheese! with chicken chowder!). But sometimes you want something light and simple. Enter this gorgeously green zucchini soup, a refreshing summer recipe that makes a stunning starter or a light meal when paired with toasted sourdough.

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Is there any cuter way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with shamrock shaped cookies? Our easy sugar cookie recipe always keeps it shape while baking so you can relax in knowing all of your leaves will come out perfectly round and defined. We love decorating with royal icing, but you could use a simple buttercream frosting for a quick and easy way to frost the cookies too!

Get the St. Patrick's Day Cookies recipe.

This take on Key lime pie has all of the refreshing tartness and buttery crumble of the classic dessert, but in an adorable, individual container. Turning the pie into a crumble ensures that every single bite gives you that delicious sharp tang of the Key lime with the crumbly oat topping. This just might be your new fave party dessert!

Get the Key Lime Pie Mousse recipe.

Although the origin is debatable—Mexico, Colombia, and California all lay claim—avocado soup's deliciousness is definitely not up for debate. Somewhere between the cool freshness of gazpacho and the savory richness of guacamole, this is equally great chilled or served at room temperature. File this one under: Why haven't we thought of this before?

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Dr. Seuss wants us all to try green eggs and ham, and with this easy scrambled egg recipe, we have no need not to. Skip the food coloring and use spinach and lots of fresh herbs to give the eggs a green makeover. You feel much better about them, plus get some much needed greens in. Use kale or any of your favorite herbs for these!

Get the Green Eggs & Ham recipe.

Only got room for one dip on your St. Patrick's Day spread? Now you don't have to choose favorites—this dip is the best of hummus and guacamole combined.

Get the Avocado Hummus recipe.

We think this drink, possibly immortalized by Scrubs character J.D., is wildly underrated. Think of it as a friendlier martini—it's still 100% booze and very vodka-forward, but it's got a bit more going on. Apple schnapps brings sweet-tart green apple flavor, while a splash of calvados (apple brandy) gives it a fiery kick. These babies are tart, bright green, and quite strong. Enjoy!

Get the Best-Ever Appletini recipe.