How to Make Green Eggs and Ham Without Food Coloring

Green eggs and ham is a fun and colorful dish inspired by the classic Dr. Seuss book Traditionally, the vibrant green color comes from artificial food dyes. However, there are easy natural ways to recreate this dish without any food coloring I’ll explain several methods so you can make green eggs and ham at home with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

Why Make Green Eggs and Ham Without Food Coloring

While small amounts of food dyes are considered safe by the FDA, some people prefer to avoid them. There are a few reasons you may want to skip the artificial colors:

• You’re avoiding processed foods and additives in your family’s diet
• Your child has sensitivities or you want to rule out any potential behavior side effects
• You simply prefer natural food coloring alternatives

Luckily, green eggs and ham can easily be made without a drop of food dye. Here are some healthy, all-natural ingredients that infuse the eggs with color:

Blend in Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach and kale add vibrant color and nutrients to eggs. Blending raw greens into the scrambled eggs creates a rich earthy green hue.

Spinach is the mildest tasting option. Just 2 cups of baby spinach blended into 8 eggs makes bright green eggs with barely any spinach flavor. Kale and Swiss chard have more pronounced flavors. Start with 1 cup packed greens per 4 eggs and adjust amounts to your taste preference.

Put eggs and greens in a blender and puree until smooth. Then cook the eggs as usual, being careful not to overcook them. The blended greens contain moisture, so scramble the eggs gently on medium-low heat.

Using fresh greens like spinach gives you a nutritional boost of vitamins A, C, K, folate, manganese, and more. It’s an easy way to incorporate veggies, whether you’re making a festive breakfast or just want to add nutrition to scrambled eggs.

Use Avocado

Creamy avocado can give your eggs a fresh green color and flavor. The healthy fats in avocado also make scrambled eggs richer and fluffier.

For 4 eggs, mash up 1 medium ripe avocado. Blend it into the whisked eggs until smooth. Cook the eggs gently over medium-low heat until set.

Keep in mind the green shade from avocado will be more muted than using leafy greens. But the added creaminess is worth it!

Instead of mashing it, you can also dice up half an avocado and fold it into the cooked scrambled eggs. This gives you nice flecks of green throughout.

Add Green Herbs

Fresh green herbs infuse scrambled eggs with garden-fresh flavor and color. Try blending in any of these herbs:

• Basil – Gives eggs a vivid green color and Italian flair
• Parsley – Bright green hue with a mild, fresh taste
• Cilantro – Adds a pop of green and Mexican zing
• Chives – Delicate green onion flavor
• Green onion tops – For a lighter green tint and mild oniony bite
• Watercress – Vibrant green and tangy peppery flavor

Use about 1/4 cup packed fresh herbs for 4 eggs. Blend or finely chop the herbs before mixing them into whisked eggs. Then cook the eggs as usual until set.

Herbs keep the eggs light and fluffy while adding antioxidant power. Use a single herb or a combo for an herbal flavor boost.

Make Green Eggs with Matcha

Matcha green tea powder offers another easy way to naturally color eggs green. It has a pleasant, mild grassy flavor that pairs nicely with eggs.

Add 1 teaspoon matcha powder per 4 eggs. Whisk the matcha into the eggs until evenly blended and green. Then cook the eggs as usual.

The fine green tea powder smoothly integrates into the eggs. And matcha contains caffeine for an energizing start to your day!

Pickle the Eggs in Turmeric Brine

For green egg salad or deviled eggs, you can pickle hard boiled eggs in a turmeric brine. The turmeric infuses the eggs with exotic yellow-green color and antioxidant power.

Boil and peel a dozen eggs. Whisk 1 tablespoon turmeric powder into 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water. Pour the turmeric brine over the peeled eggs and refrigerate overnight.

The eggs absorb the vibrant turmeric hue. Use them for egg salad, slicing in half for deviled eggs, or add to a green egg salad.

Opt for Green Egg Substitutes

Rather than modifying the eggs themselves, you can swap in some naturally green egg substitutes. Whip up a scramble or omelet using:

• Edamame – Blend it into a creamy scramble or add whole pods for crunch.

• Green peas – Mash them into the eggs or fold whole peas into an omelet.

• Zucchini – Grate raw zucchini and add to eggs for moisture and nutrition without altering the taste.

• Broccoli – Finely chop and mix into eggs for color and veggie goodness.

So those are some nutritious ways to make Dr. Seuss green eggs and ham without any food dye required. Let your kids help select and mix in the green ingredients. Then have fun serving up this colorful classic together!

Some quick tips for making natural green eggs and ham:

• For the ham, warm up deli slices or lightly pan fry ham steak.

• Cook the green eggs gently over medium-low heat to prevent drying them out.

• Blend leafy greens and herbs into the raw whisked eggs before cooking.

• Avocado, peas, and zucchini mix in more easily once the eggs are cooked.

• Balance stronger flavors like kale with milder ones like spinach.

• Add a sprinkle of cheese like parmesan to mellow out any strong veggie tastes.

Green eggs and ham is whimsical dish that’s perfect for:

• Breakfast – Serve it up with fruit and toast for a fun start to the day.

• Brunch – Delight kids and adults alike with a Dr. Seuss themed spread.

• School events – Cafeterias can easily whip up this colorful meal to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday in March.

• St. Patrick’s Day -Since it’s already green, it’s a perfect pick for March 17th.

With endless options for achieving natural green color, you can feel good about skipping the food dyes. Try mixing and matching spinach, avocado, herbs, matcha, and other ingredients to invent your own unique green egg recipes.

Get the whole family involved in crafting this fun Dr. Seuss classic. Let your kids pick their favorite shades of green. Take pictures of your finished green eggs and ham creations. Once you see those happy smiles and fun memories being made, you’ll never miss the artificial coloring!

So dig into this whimsical dish and say along with Sam I Am…

I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam I am!