Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe
Posted Mar 06, 2017, Updated Jul 09, 2024
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This healthy shamrock shake recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes with 8 nutritious ingredients like avocados, spinach, & Greek yogurt! The perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat that’s naturally green – no food coloring.
Top ‘O the morning to you!!! I created this healthy shamrock shake recipe for all of my friends who either are, or have, a shamrock shake aficionado in your life.
My husband used to be that guy. Literally the first day he saw a sign outside of the golden arches advertising the arrival of said beverage, he had to have one.
However, this healthy shamrock shake has taken the place of the chemical-laden variety from the popular restaurant. Now, when he sees that sign – he reminds me it’s time to make this recipe at home instead.
In this recipe, avocado, spinach and fresh mint leaves make a creamy, minty, and naturally green shamrock shake. So I feel good about my husband and kids enjoying this green treat! (Instead of secretly cringing thinking about what they are putting into their bodies).
Healthy Shamrock Shake: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Greek Yogurt. any plain or vanilla flavored yogurt works well in this recipe. We like using Icelandic vanilla yogurt as well. Or, you can use a dairy-free yogurt.
- Milk: whole milk, 2%, almond milk, and coconut milk are all good choices.
- Spinach. Use frozen spinach to make a thick and creamy shake.
- Honey: agave or maple syrup are good substitutes.
- Mint: If you’d prefer, you can use 1 teaspoon mint extract instead of fresh mint, however I love the flavor of fresh mint in this healthy shamrock shake!
How to Make a Shamrock Shake
This recipe is very easy to make – but as always we’ll walk through the steps and don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin by putting all the ingredients in the order listed in the container of a Vitamix (or another high-powered blender) and blend until smooth.
Then, pour into 2 to four glasses and serve right away!
Serve
Serve this shake with a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top for a fun treat without any preservatives, food dyes, etc.
I suggest serving this healthy shamrock shake right away for the best flavor and texture.
Store
You could store leftovers in a glass jar with lid in the refrigerator for 1 day or in the freezer for 1 month, however it’s best when served immediately.
Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe FAQs
Yes, this recipe is far healthier than the restaurant version, here are some comparisons for a small shake from McD’s: 460 calories (small size) 63 g refined sugar, 74 g carbs, 8 g saturated fat. No fiber or nutrients.
This Recipe: 336 calories, 30 g unrefined sugar, 39 g carbs, 4 g saturated fat, 8 g fiber, 1900 mg Vitamin A, 780 mg Potassium.
The ingredients in a McD’s shake are: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.
So much less nutritious than making a shake with whole foods like avocados, Greek yogurt and honey!
You can freeze leftovers of this healthy shamrock shake in glass jars with lids in the freezer and thaw slowly in the refrigerator. You could also use a popsicle mold and make shamrock shake popsicles with leftovers – yum!
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Healthy Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk (2% or whole)
- ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 avocado
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup spinach frozen
- 10-15 fresh mint leaves
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- ½-1 cup ice optional
Instructions
- Add ingredients in the order listed to the container of a Vitamix, or other high-powered blender) in the order listed.
- Blend, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high. Then blend on high speed for 30 to 50 seconds, or until the shake is smooth and thick.
- Pour and serve immediately, top with whipped cream.
Video
Notes
- Greek Yogurt. any plain or vanilla flavored yogurt works well in this recipe. We like using Icelandic vanilla yogurt as well. Or, you can use a dairy-free yogurt.
- Milk: whole milk, 2%, almond milk, and coconut milk are all good choices.
- Spinach. Use frozen spinach to make a thick and creamy shake.
- Honey: agave or maple syrup are good substitutes.
- Mint: If you’d prefer, you can use 1 teaspoon mint extract instead of fresh mint, however I love the flavor of fresh mint in this healthy shamrock shake!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi there, Laura! I am going to definitely give this a try on St. Patty’s Day! Thank you so much!
Melissa
I hope you love it!
This healthy shamrock shake recipe is an absolute game-changer! I love how it incorporates nutritious ingredients like spinach, bananas, and almond milk, making it more than just a delicious treat. The natural sweetness fits perfectly with the refreshing mint flavor, creating a guilt-free indulgence that I can enjoy any time of the year. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe, it’s a true delight for both my taste buds and my well-being! Sincerely, Becky Gomez
Although March passed a few months ago, this shake was perfect to make as a special treat for my hubby on his birthday this May! He LOVES talking about how ‘this is the year’ he is finally going to try one of the traditional Shamrock Shakes when they come around every March… but never does. Secretly I am hoping he is as afraid of the ingredients in them as I am! Needless to say I was thrilled to see a healthy recipe on your site, and he was thrilled with the taste! He absolutely loved the shake and I am hoping we will never have to experience the fast food version haha 🙂 I am so happy I can provide him with a healthy Shamrock Shake any day of the year!
Made it this morning- so fun!! We used coconut 🥥 yogurt & milk to accommodate for food allergies. And ended up adding a banana to thicken it up more (we are banana lovers) such a great way to start the day!! Thank you!!
Does the spinach need to be frozen?
Hey Maria! No, it doesn’t need to be…however frozen spinach makes it thick and creamy without needing to add ice! If you don’t have frozen spinach it will be more liquidy and less thick!
I love the hidden avocado and spinach to give it that natural green color and still sneak in some veggies. Looks delicious!
Yes! Creaminess and greenness! 😉
I am in love with this gorgeous shake! I don’t think I could stomach a traditional shamrock shake if I wanted to, I love this version so much more!
I know!! I took ONE sip of my husband’s ONCE, that’s all I needed! LOL!
So I know I admitted that I’ve never had a shamrock shake before, but you can bet I’ll be trying yours! It has everything I love!
No worries Liren, you’re not missing much by not having the real thing! lol!