Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe
Posted Mar 06, 2017, Updated Jan 10, 2022
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This Healthy Shamrock Shake recipe is made with 8 nutritious ingredients like avocados, spinach, Greek yogurt and is ready in 5 minutes! The perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat that’s naturally dyed green! No food coloring!
Top ‘O the morning to you!!! This Healthy Shamrock Shake recipe goes out to all of my virtual friends who have a shamrock shake addict in your life.
My husband is that guy. You know the one I’m talking about. Literally the first day he sees a sign outside of the golden arches advertising the arrival of said beverage, he has to have one.
I had three main objectives in creating this Healthy Shamrock Shake, it had to be 1) creamy. 2) Green. and 3) minty!
The addition of avocado, spinach and fresh mint leaves worked together to achieve every one of those goals in a completely natural and healthy way. So I feel good about my husband and kids enjoying this green treat! (Instead of secretly being horrified about what they are putting into their bodies).
How to make a Shamrock Shake
This recipe is very simple to make. Simply put all the ingredients in the container of a Vitamix and blend until smooth.
The only tip I have is that in order to blend everything well you need to use a Vitamix (or another high-powered blender).
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.
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.Â
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!
Healthy Shamrock Shake: Ingredients & Substitutions
There are a few easy ways to change up this Healthy Shamrock Shake to fit your dietary needs!
- Greek Yogurt/Milk: If you avoid dairy, you can easily substitute a dairy-free yogurt and almond or coconut milk to make this dairy-free! . recommend using honey or vanilla flavored yogurt. If you use plain yogurt, you will need to increase the amount of honey so that it’s sweet enough.
- Spinach. Use frozen spinach to make a thick and creamy shake.
- Honey: Use any liquid sweetener of your choice. Honey is by far my favorite.
- Mint: If you’d prefer, you can use mint extract instead of fresh mint, however I love the flavor the fresh mint imparts in this healthy shamrock shake!
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Healthy Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk (2% or whole)
- ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 avocado
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup spinach frozen
- 10-15 fresh mint leaves
- 2 TBS honey
- ½-1 cup ice optional
Instructions
- Add ingredients to your Vitamix (or other high-powered blender) in the order listed.
- Blend, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high until your mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Pour and serve immediately, top with whipped cream or chocolate!
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Greek Yogurt/Milk:Â Â If you avoid dairy, you can easily substitute a dairy-free yogurt and almond or coconut milk to make this dairy-free! . recommend using honey or vanilla flavored yogurt. If you use plain yogurt, you will need to increase the amount of honey so that it’s sweet enough.
- Spinach. Use frozen spinach to make a thick and creamy shake.
- Honey:Â Use any liquid sweetener of your choice. Honey is by far my favorite.
- Mint:Â If you’d prefer, you can use mint extract instead of fresh mint, however IÂ love the flavor the fresh mint imparts in this healthy shamrock shake!
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.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Here are some more green and St. Patty’s Day themed recipes for you!
- These spinach pancakes, spinach muffins and these spinach donuts make a fun and festive breakfast!
- How adorable is this rainbow fruit pizza? Put a little pot of gold at the end and you have a fun dessert!
- I always think of potatoes when I think of St. Patty’s Day, and these mashed potatoes are the best!
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Strangely enough, I’ve never had the real shamrock shake! Our versions are super similar but still unique. I’ll try yours next and you try mine 😉 Except Rich will hate mine!!
You know your Vegan version would agree with me much better! So I can make your version and not have to share with the Mister! LOL! Plus I love anything made with coconut milk, it’s so rich and creamy!
Love this healthy upgrade! Such a much better option for your family! Way to go!
Thank you Lindsay!
A green smoothie with avocado is a win in my book, especially when it’s inspired by a treat. They make smoothies so thick and creamy and you even have the greens packed in there. A much better alternative, and one I’d love, over the “classic” Shamrock Shake!
Yes!! Avocados truly are magical in smoothies! 🙂
Love the pretty color of these shakes. I have to admit, I’ve never had a real Shamrock shake before. But I’m kind of ok with that. I like your version better! 🙂
LOL YES! You absolutely should be totally ok with that! 😉
Shamrock shakes had not even hit my radar until I saw yours and Becky’s. Do I have my head in the flour bin? Truly–thank you. I’m off to the store to buy mint and spinach!
LOL Letty! I would have no idea if it weren’t for my husband! 😉
I’ve had my share of Shamrock shakes, but not in the past 20 years! lol I would much rather make my own healthier version at home too, and I’m so trying this. I’ve got lots of fresh mint in the garden that’s perfect for these!
OoOo I can’t wait until the weather gets warmer and we can plant our garden! Fresh mint will definitely be in there!
Now this looks AMAZING; I’ve never had a shamrock shake, but I think I can definitely see why your husband loves them so much; avocadoes and greek yogurt would be the key to making it super duper creamy!
He loves the shakes full of sugar and cream…lol! BUT he definitely enjoyed this one too and I’m hoping to convert him over to the healthy side! 😉 My kids gobbled them up in no time!
That is an brilliant idea…festive and healthy – win-win!!!!
No need to derail your healthy lifestyle to celebrate fun holidays with the kids! 🙂
My favorite color in a delicious looking smoothie! Will have to try this shamrock shake!!
It got devoured in 0.3 seconds around here! 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever actually had a shamrock shake — golden arches or otherwise — but the vibrant color of this one is absolutely gorgeous!!
I love how real food naturally colors dishes so beautifully!