A small McDonald’s Shamrock Shake will set you back 460 calories and 64 grams of sugar! Do something good for your health and make your own delicious and healthy shamrock shake recipe at home.
How to make a healthy shamrock shake
The popular McDonalds Shamrock Shakes are back.
And while these mint milkshakes may taste great for the few minutes they last, even the smallest shamrock milkshake is packed with empty calories and added sugar, chemicals, additives, and food coloring.
So here is a quick, easy, thick and super creamy recipe on how to make your own homemade healthy shamrock shake right in your own kitchen.
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Watch the healthy shamrock shake recipe step-by-step video above
Homemade healthy milkshakes
While I’ve always believed it’s okay to indulge in unhealthy food once in a while, I’ve never been big on moderation either.
When I enjoy something, I want it all the time!
With these healthy shamrock shakes, you don’t have to drink them in moderation.
The easy recipe takes under five minutes, uses natural ingredients to get that classic green hue, and contains NO refined sugar.
Think how much sugar you save by drinking ZERO grams of refined sugar instead of 64. So is this recipe for a healthy shamrock shake Away under 460 calories.
Currently trendy: vegan hot chocolate
Vegan shamrock shake ingredients
The recipe calls for the following: milk of your choice, frozen spinach (or a few drops of food coloring), pure peppermint extract, chocolate chips or cacao nibs, and one frozen banana.
No matcha is required and a banana-free option is also included in the recipe.
While they don’t taste exactly like a thick McDonald’s shake (though they’re surprisingly milkshake-like if you use canned coconut milk), I like these vegan milkshakes even more. They don’t make you feel lethargic about consuming too much sugar when you’re done.
Feel free to use your favorite milk of choice here. I sometimes use coconut milk for a more decadent shake, but more often I use non-dairy cashew milk or almond milk.
When I’ve made plant-based shakes lately, I haven’t bothered to make them green. The white ones are still just as good, if admittedly not quite as fun.
*If you’re a chocoholic, try the Chocolate Shamrock Shake Recipe.
Serving suggestions for healthy shamrock shakes
These healthy green smoothies are great for breakfast, snack or dessert.
Try serving them with a tofu scramble or these Whole Wheat Banana Oatmeal Cookies for a healthy breakfast you’ll want to make year-round.
Or enjoy one as a celebratory dessert for St. Patrick’s Day. You can even add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to turn it into a high-protein post-workout treat.
A shamrock protein shake contains around 25-30 grams of protein!
What’s your favorite milkshake flavor?
Mine has always been mint chocolate chips. While I love the taste, it’s the bright green color that gets me more than anything.
Think McDonald’s deliciously green shamrock shakes or Baskin Robbins’ light mint milkshakes with chocolate chips.
It goes back to when I was three years old and loved all things blue. Since our resident Baskin Robbins didn’t make blue ice cream back then, Mint Chocolate Chip was the next best choice.
I went through a phase in middle school where I drank a Baskin Robbins chocolate chip mint milkshake every day after school.
And now?
Well, it’s now over seven years since I first came across this vegan and healthy shamrock shake recipe, and yet here I still make it for myself at least once a week!
Try topping your shamrock shake with homemade coconut whipped cream.
The recipe was inspired by this green smoothie recipe.
- 1 Cup milk of your choice
- 1 frozen banana (or make this banana-free avocado smoothie recipe)
- cacao nibs or chocolate chips, as desired
- 1/8 tsp to 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 1 scoop protein powder, Optional
- 1/4 Cup frozen spinach, Optional
- I usually add just under 1/8 tsp salt to bring out the flavor
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*If you can’t get on board with the green smoothie thing, you can opt for green food coloring or just have a white peppermint shake, which is just as delicious. Or add a pinch of spirulina!Feel free to use your favorite milk of choice. Canned coconut milk gives it a rich milkshake-like flavor, but I also love the lighter results of using cashew milk or almond milk. Make sure the banana you use is at least slightly brown so you don’t get that unripe, earthy banana flavor in your mint chocolate shake. To prepare the shake: Blend all the ingredients in a blender until completely smooth. You can add the chocolate chips either before or after mixing. Definitely use pure peppermint Extract, not imitation.View nutritional information
Healthy drink ideas
Frappuccino recipe
Strawberry Smoothies (NOT Banana)
Healthy Chocolate Frosty
Acai Bowl Recipes
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
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