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Home » Recipes

Healthy Shamrock Shake

This homemade healthy shamrock shake is incredibly creamy and flavorful! This quick and easy smoothie recipe requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes. We love it any time of the day. Great for a quick breakfast, midday protein boost, or even healthier treat! Kids love this copycat McDonald's recipe too!

Healthy shamrock shake.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • This healthy shamrock shake takes only 5 minutes!
  • This easy smoothie recipe requires just 5 ingredients.
  • Make it on busy mornings for you and your kids.
  • This homemade shamrock shake contains a whopping 35 grams of protein.
  • There is no added sugar.
  • Unlike the McDonald’s version, this copycat version is much lower in sugar and higher in protein.
  • It contains no food coloring or harmful dyes.
  • Enjoy it any time of the day.
  • This recipe is Paleo friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free friendly, vegan-friendly, nut-free friendly, and refined sugar-free.
  • Check out our family favorite Green Smoothie Recipe too!

What is a Shamrock Shake?

A seasonal mint-infused milkshake, the Shamrock Shake, is typically featured by the fast-food chain McDonald's during March for St. Patrick's Day.

Characterized by its vibrant green color, the shake is closely tied to the festive and Irish-themed nature of the holiday. The mint flavor provides a cool and fresh taste. It is often enhanced with the addition of whipped cream and green sprinkles for extra visual appeal.

The Shamrock Shake has gained popularity as a treat for those seeking a sweet and celebratory way to mark St. Patrick's Day. However, its availability can vary by location and time, given that it is a limited-time offering.

Ingredients & Substitutes

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this healthy shamrock shake. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.

Use a frozen banana for the best texture. Frozen bananas create a super creamy texture in smoothies.

We love adding in frozen spinach to this shake! It adds even more thickness, a bright green color, and additional nutrients.

Use your favorite type of milk. If you are dairy-free, use dairy-free milk.

Peppermint extract adds the mint flavor. A small drop goes a long way!

Choose unflavored protein powder or vanilla protein powder.

Finally, garnish with dark chocolate chips on top if desired.

Ingredients for healthy shamrock shake.

Taste & Texture

This healthy shamrock shake has a fresh mint flavor! You cannot taste the spinach at all.

It has as subtle sweetness from the banana.

The texture is smooth, thick, and creamy. Blend the smoothie until the spinach has been fully blended.

How to Make

Step 1

First, add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips to a blender.

Frozen spinach in Vitamix.

Step 2

Blend on high until completely smooth.

Creamy lime green smoothie.

Step 3

Pour the shake into a glass. Top with chocolate chips if desired.

Mint chocolate shake.

Expert Tips for Success

Follow these tips and tricks to make the best healthy shamrock shake.

Use a frozen banana and frozen spinach for the best texture. This makes the shake extra thick and creamy.

Blend until fully creamy. This may take up to 60 seconds depending on your blender.

Use only a drop of peppermint extract. It is very flavorful and a little goes far.

This smoothie is best consumed immediately. I do not recommend making it more than 24 hours in advance.

How to Serve & Store

Serve this healthy shamrock shake immediately! Top with chocolate chips, whipped cream, or melted chocolate.

For a fun treat, serve with these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies!

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

This smoothie is not meant to be made that far ahead of time.

Bright green shake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Shamrock Shakes unhealthy?

Yes, Shamrock Shakes are filled with added sugar and fake food coloring. A large Shamrock Shake from McDonald's contains over 100 grams of sugar.

When does McDonald's sell Shamrock Shake?

Shamrock Shakes are available during the month of March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

How much protein does this contain?

This healthy Shamrock Shake contains 35 grams of protein.

What type of milk should you use?

Both regular milk and dairy-free milk work well in this smoothie recipe.

Can you taste the spinach?

No! This smoothie tastes like mint. You cannot taste the spinach.

Green smoothie with chocolate chips.

Equipment Needed

Vitamix Blender: This blender is great for making this healthy shamrock shake.

Check out all of our Kitchen Favorites!

You May Also Like

  • Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
  • Hot Pink Smoothie
  • Strawberry Kale Smoothie Bowls
  • Raspberry Breakfast Smoothie
  • Green Vegetables

If you enjoyed this healthy Shamrock Shake recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! Check out these Breakfast Recipes for more delicious recipes.

Healthy shamrock shake.

Healthy Shamrock Shake

This healthy Shamrock Shake is so creamy and flavorful! This quick and easy smoothie recipe takes only 5 minutes to make. It is great for a healthy breakfast, protein packed snack, or even healthier dessert!
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast, Treats
Cuisine: American
Method: Too Easy
Diet: Egg Free, Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Servings: 1 serving
Save Recipe Saved!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 frozen banana
  • ½ cup frozen spinach
  • ¾ cup milk (regular or dairy free)
  • 1 drop peppermint extract
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • dark chocolate chips (optional topping)

Instructions
 

  • First, add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips to a blender.
  • Blend on high until completely smooth.
  • Pour the shake into a glass. Top with chocolate chips if desired.

Notes

  • Use a frozen banana for the best creamy texture.  A room temperature banana will make this smoothie not as thick and creamy.
  • The frozen spinach also helps thicken this smoothie.
  • Blend until fully creamy.
  • Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
  • Check out all of our Kitchen Favorites!
    Nutrition Facts
    Nutrition Facts
    Healthy Shamrock Shake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 203 Calories from Fat 81
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 9g14%
    Saturated Fat 4g25%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 72mg24%
    Sodium 173mg8%
    Potassium 1057mg30%
    Carbohydrates 42g14%
    Fiber 5g21%
    Sugar 26g29%
    Protein 35g70%
    Vitamin A 9598IU192%
    Vitamin C 15mg18%
    Calcium 430mg43%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

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