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Give your favorite green shake a healthier spin with this Healthy Shamrock Shake recipe. Made with spinach, protein powder, almond butter, and more, it tastes just like the real thing!

A healthier spin on the classic shamrock shake
What’s better than cooling down and refreshing with an icy shamrock shake? This copycat healthy shamrock shake recipe features the same flavors you know and love. But, it’s made with healthier ingredients for a delicious and nutrient-rich alternative!
I love to whip this up as a post-workout protein shake or enjoy it when I’m in the mood for a sweet dessert.

Ingredients in this healthy shamrock shake
This 10 ingredient dairy-free milkshake-like treat uses common baking goods like almond butter, almond milk, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Then, we add nutrients with spinach, chia seeds or flax meal, and a banana!
- Spinach: This recipe kicks off with spinach. You will need 1/2 cup of frozen spinach or 1 cup of fresh spinach. This is what gives it its green color.
- Ice: 1/2 cup of ice will create a nice and refreshing smoothie.
- Banana: Thicken up the shake with 1 frozen banana.
- Vanilla protein powder: Then, load up on protein by including 1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder. Plain or unflavored works too.
- Almond butter: Thicken up the recipe and contribute to the flavor by using 1 tbsp of almond butter. This also adds protein!
- Flax meal or chia seeds: Then, add fiber and other nutrients with 1 tbsp of flax meal or chia seeds.
- Peppermint extract: Create the minty flavor with 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract.
- Vanilla: Follow that with 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract.
- Almond milk: 3/4-1 cup of almond milk will be useful in making the shake the proper consistency.
- Topping: Last but not least, grab some mini chocolate chips for topping the shake. You could also add some whipped cream and/or fresh mint leaves!


Tools needed to make an easy shamrock shake
This recipe only requires one main kitchen tool: a high powdered blender. In addition, a baking spatula may come in handy for scraping down the sides of the blender.
To measure out ingredients, you will need 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/2 cup, 3/4 cup, and 1 cup sized measuring cups.
How to make this healthy shamrock shake recipe
This recipe couldn’t be simpler. Made in only 3 steps, your copycat shamrock shake will be ready in under 5 minutes! Easily double the recipe for two servings.
First, add the ingredients as listed to a high powered blender.
Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Then, pour the mixture into a large glass. Optionally top with mini chocolate chips.
Substitution Tip
Missing an ingredient or two? Here are some substitutions options that may come in handy!
Vanilla protein powder
Any protein powder will work, though some flavors will taste better than others!
Almond butter
This can be swapped with regular peanut butter as well as cashew butter, sunflower seed butter. etc.
Almond milk
Any milk will work just fine, including regular milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, etc.

Recipe Tips
How unhealthy is a shamrock shake?
Though I can’t answer for other recipes, this particular recipe uses healthier ingredients to achieve a more nutrient-rich result. Think spinach, banana, protein powder, almond butter, and even flax meal or chia seeds!
Is the shamrock shake actually mint?
This shamrock shake gets its minty flavor through the use of mint extract!
How much sugar is in a shamrock shake?
This healthy shamrock snack does not include any added sugar outside of what is in the ingredients used. The sugar content will depend on the protein powder, almond butter, and almond milk that you use.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Want to try some more shake and smoothie recipes? Here are some favorites!

Healthy Shamrock Shake
Give your favorite green shake a healthier spin with this Healthy Shamrock Shake recipe. Made with spinach, protein powder, almond butter, and more, it tastes just like the real thing!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen spinach (1 cup fresh)
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp flax meal or chia seeds
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 – 1 cup almond milk depending on how thick you desire
- mini chocolate chips for topping
Instructions
- Add ingredients as listed to high powered blender.
- Blend until completely smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
- Pour into a large glass. Optional: top with mini chocolate chips.
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Erin says
My entire family loved this! So yummy! Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy it was a hit! 🙂
Mallory says
So good!! Tastes just like a shamrock shake but so much better for you. And all super simple ingredients I already had.
Kelly says
This tastes just like a shamrock shake! All the flavor, zero guilt! I have been making this as my sweet treat on repeat this week😋
Diana says
Never was a big fan of smoothies until this one opened my eyes. Soooo delicious!
Abbie says
Delish and guilt free! Love all of your recipes!
Christine says
I’ve made this a few times and it is delicious! A much healthier version of the popular fast food shake. Another great ELW recipe!
Gretchen says
Perfectly minty! Much rather make this healthy and tasty shake any day of the week!
Caitlin says
Delicious! I’ve been making this recipe since you first posted it to your grid years ago, and I’m so glad I can more easily search for it now. Obsessed!
Holly says
Absolutey love this smoothie! I make it all year long!
Holly says
I absolutely this smoothie! I make it all year long!
Erin says
Hi Holly, so happy you love it so much!!
Erin says
Hi Holly, so glad you love it so much! 🙂
Taylor says
My daughter wanted to try a shamrock shake and I said let’s make one, I know where to find the recipe! She loved it, and for me it was a win to skip the fast food route so thank you!
Erin says
Hi Taylor, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
Jackie says
We looove this shamrock shake!! ☘️ so delicious and healthy!
Erin says
Hi Jackie, so happy you loved it!
Annette says
So good! My kids love this and ask for it constantly this time of year.
Erin says
Hi Annette, so happy it was a big hit!!
Rachel says
I make this every St. Patrick’s Day. Easy, nutritious, delicious, festive. My husband loves, too!
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so happy you both love it! 🙂
Cameron says
Absolutely cannot believe this isnt an ice cream shake. I was craving something sweet and came across this recipe and it is delicious. Shocked at how healthy it is while tasting like the minty shake I was craving. Thank you Erin!! Will be making this 1000 times more.
Erin says
Hi Cameron, so happy you loved it so much!! 🙂
Tory says
I’ve been making this from her instagram for years and it’s great every time!!
Erin says
Hi Tory, so happy you loved it!!