Green food for St. Patrick’s Day will help create the most festive atmosphere at your bar and restaurant. St. Patrick’s Day party food has a tendency to adhere to thematic traits. Even traditional St. Patrick's Day food usually follows a theme. So, it’s no surprise that many eateries implement the standard green and gold color palette. 

So, if you’re in search of St. Patrick's Day food ideas that revolve around popular themes, this article is certainly for you! From basic recipes to modern food trends, we will cover nearly a dozen ideas. Now, let the meal-prepping begin!

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Why You Should Serve Green Food for St. Patrick’s Day

One thing about serving green food for St. Patrick’s Day is that it’s super easy. There are many green snacks for St. Patrick’s Day where the hue is natural, which makes adding these kinds of dishes to a menu effortless. Just put them on a plate, and you’re all set.

But what about food and drink items of other colors? Well, that’s where food dye comes into play. With just a drop or two of green food coloring, you can make anything from the appetizer list all the way to the dessert menu look festive. 

When the restaurant manager or business owner celebrates holidays online and at the brick and mortar eatery, they’ll instantly draw a crowd. From loyal customers to new visitors, countless people seek festive outings for their favorite holiday. And considering just how much St. Patrick’s Day revolves around food and drinks, this is a perfect time to implement product differentiation with a green menu. 

But in this case, we’re talking about menu types where all the dishes are varying shades of green. It’s not necessarily a reflection of “green” and sustainable efforts. However, the latter is even more important to achieve. But you can learn more about that in our sustainability in restaurants eBook!

Green Food for St. Patrick’s Day: 10 Ideas

The following dishes might be enough to fill your St. Patrick’s Day menu. We even have a couple of options for those who are health-conscious. Meanwhile, there are annual must-haves, of course. Take a look below:

1. Green Fruit Platters

Ripe and fresh produce are always delicious. Fix variety platters of all the naturally green fruits that you can acquire. Unless you use an inventory management platform to purchase all your ingredients, this idea may vary depending on your geographic location. However, since March isn’t too far away from warmer weather, you may be able to get your hands on more than you might think.

2. Spinach Dip

The natural and subtle hue of spinach will pair beautifully with the St. Patrick’s Day theme. But here’s the thing–it gets better! One of the tastiest foods that you can pair with spinach dip is beer bread. So, put one of your favorite Irish beer brands to good use and support an Irish brand simultaneously.

3. Matcha Baked Goods

Many people are familiar with drinking different types of matcha, but did you know that you can add it to baked goods? That’s right, from cookies to muffins, you can add a slight green shade and enormous health benefits to almost anything you prepare in the oven.

4. Green Veggies and Dip

If you’re considering healthy St. Patrick’s Day snacks, veggies and dip will be your best option. Cucumbers, green peppers, broccoli, asparagus and more will suit the color palette, too. Then, you can get creative with which dips you pair with them. 

5. Guacamole and Chips

Though it might be one of the best Mexican appetizers, who can turn down freshly made guacamole? It’s also one of the most filling food favorites across the board. Meanwhile, the green shade from the avocados will fit cohesively with all the other St. Patrick's Day food platters. 

6. Green Smoothies

Smoothies can be a meal if you add enough ingredients to the blender. So, add nutrient-rich fruits and veggies, a scoop of protein powder, and water to create a concoction that’s just as tasty as it is healthy. While St. Patrick’s Day is heavily associated with the consumption of several types of alcohol, that’s not an option for everyone. So, create a filling beverage for anyone to try. And remember, the best bars for St. Patrick's Day are always those that are inclusive to everyone.

7. Garden Risotto Bites

Add a vegetarian option to your entree food selection with this savory meal. Instead of using seafood or meat products, use a variety of green vegetables. And instead of serving big dishes of the recipe, simply make miniature snacks that resemble the size of meatballs. There’s a good chance that risotto is already a best-seller at your restaurant. So, why not turn it into one of your St. Patrick's Day food specials?

8. Lime Coolers

For a refreshing mixed drink, create lime coolers. For this recipe, vodka will likely be your best bet. You can also get more creative and add other green fruits, such as kiwi or honeydew to tweak the flavor. You can also make fresh juice from each of these fruits for thematic mocktails. Or, you can create a thicker concoction and use it as the base for fruit bowls. The options are endless. 

9. Bowls of Green Candy

If your restaurant will be offering catering services or you’re hosting an at-home party, candy bowls are always festive. Simply buy green sweets from a candy business and add them to a festive bowl or plate for a sweet yet simple touch. This option will likely be the easiest of all the St. Patrick's Day snacks to put together, too.

10. Pistachio Cupcakes

If you want to add a slightly sweet and nutty dessert item to the menu, consider pistachio cupcakes. Like the spinach dip, the natural and earthy hue that comes from chopped pistachios and pudding mix will pair well with the theme. However, if you’d like to make them a bit more vibrant, feel free to add a couple of drops of green food coloring to the cake batter and icing. Oh, and don’t forget the gold sprinkles!

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Food for St. Patrick’s Day

Green food for St. Patrick’s Day is essential to festive parties and restaurant menus. After all, no other color is so prominent for the holiday’s celebrations. Plus, you can’t have a special occasion without food and drinks being part of the equation. So, if you’re in need of more ideas or extra tips, we’ve got you covered. Check out the following FAQ section before preparing green snacks for St. Patrick’s Day.

What Green Things Are Associated with St. Patrick’s Day?

Green items that are associated with St. Patrick’s Day includes shamrocks, four-leaf clovers, a leprechaun’s outfit, and the green fields of Ireland. Plus, green is a very symbolic color within Irish heritage. That’s why so many people go all out wearing shades of green and dying anything they can the earthy tone.

How Can You Make Food Green for St. Patrick’s Day?

You can make most food and drink items green for St. Patrick’s Day with just a drop or two of food dye. Just ensure that all the recipes that you decide to dye are naturally light in color. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an unappealing muddy shade.

What Are Some Common Green Food Items?

Popular green food items include the following:

• Kiwi 
• Limes
• Apples
• Grapes
• Avocado 
• Broccoli 
• Pistachios 

Which Green Fruits Can You Serve On St. Patrick’s Day?

Various green fruits that you can serve on St. Patrick’s Day include:

• Grapes
• Honeydew
• Kiwi 
• Green apples

How Do You Make Green Beer for St. Patrick’s Day?

All you need to do to make green beer for St. Patrick’s Day is to add a drop or two of green food coloring into a pitcher. Mix the beer thoroughly to evenly distribute the dye. For best results, use a light beer that’s pale in color. This way, you’ll achieve the most vibrant shade possible.

Green and Gold Dishes to Be Sold

If you wish to operate the best eatery in town this St. Patrick’s Day, ensure that you’re serving menu items that will fit the theme. If not, the competition against other local restaurants will remain high. But once you create a limited-time-only menu full of green snacks for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll suddenly have a competitive advantage over the rest.