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.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!
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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:Â whole milk, 2%, almond milk, and coconut milk are all good choices.
- Spinach. Use frozen spinach to make a thick and creamy shake.
- Honey:Â agave or maple syrup are good substitutes.
- Mint:Â If you’d prefer, you can use 1 teaspoon mint extract instead of fresh mint, however IÂ 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.
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!