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    Home / Beverages / Shamrock Protein Shakes

    Shamrock Protein Shakes

    Published: Mar 14, 2022 Modified: Mar 13, 2023 by Jillian This post may contain affiliate link. This blog generates income via ads

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Shamrock Shake is a copycat of the McDonald's Shamrock Shake. My version is a healthier shake made with protein, fresh greens, and matcha powder, for those added vitamins, and topped with the most delicious keto whipped cream!

    a close up of a green shamrock shake in a glass with melted whipped cream on top and green sprinkles and a green and white striped straw

    Saint Patrick's Day is right around the corner.  These healthy shamrock shakes are exactly what you need to get in the spirit!  My kids loved helping me make them too and they loved drinking them even more. 

    If you want another recipe to help you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day you should try my Easy Irish Soda Bread to get you into the spirit!

    If you want to swap the bananas out for some vanilla ice cream for some added sweetness, be my guest :0.  Also, if you feel like making it a boozy shamrock shake then add in a little Irish whiskey!  I also made my whipped cream at home!  I found this amazing keto whipped cream recipe from a fellow blogger.  Be Brave and Bloom's Homemade Keto Whipped Cream is linked below!

    Homemade Keto Whipped Cream!

    Keto homemade whipped cream recipe made with a whisk attachment on a Kitchenaid, with a stainless bowl

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients for this shake
    • How to make this delicious shake
    • Substitutions for this Saint Patty's Day Shake
    • Tips and FAQ's
    • Other holiday treats to try

    Ingredients for this shake

    Here are the ingredients you will need for this healthy shamrock shake, which was also kid-tested and enjoyed!  You will need the following:

    a birds-eye view of the ingredients you need to make protein shamrock shake
    • frozen and thawed bananas - I like to freeze them before adding them to my shake to make the shake more of a frozen drink, but if you prefer it to have the consistency of a smoothie then don't freeze your bananas.
    • unsweetened vanilla almond milk - I like using unsweetened vanilla almond milk because it has less sugar in it than regular almond milk, but the vanilla gives it just the right amount of flavor that you need.
    • vanilla flavored protein powder - I happen to be a fan of the infamous Shakeology. My favorite flavor to add into this shake is vanilla.
    • PB2 powdered peanut butter or natural peanut butter - PB2 Pure 100% Natural 6g of plant based protein
    • matcha powder - I like adding matcha to this smoothie because first of all, it's green, and second, it's very good for you to eat. If you've never had matcha before, it has a sweet nutty flavor and a touch of bitterness, but with a savory ending.
    • green sprinkles - Saint Patrick's Day Sprinkle Mix (these are optional, but they make your drink look festive)
    • green straws - Saint Patrick's Day striped paper straws (another optional add-on)
    • a few drops green food coloring - Watkins Assorted Food Coloring This brand has no artificial dyes and helps make your drink that much greener.
    a top shot of a smoothie with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a green and white striped straw

    How to make this delicious shake

    This is a simple one.  Add all ingredients into a blender and blend on high!  Pour shamrock shake into a glass and top with your homemade whipped cream.  Sprinkle on your sprinkles and insert a straw!  Slurp away 🙂 If you are in need of a great blender I have the Ninja Blender, which I have had for almost 7 years, and have never had any issues.

    a top shot of all of the ingredients inside of a blender

    Substitutions for this Saint Patty's Day Shake

    I know that not all of the ingredients I used are what everyone enjoys or they just don't have on hand. If you want some swap suggestions I've listed a few for you below.

    Frozen Bananas - I had stated earlier that you don't need to use frozen bananas and regular bananas work just as well. The only reason I like frozen is that they give your shake more of a frozen drink vibe, but if you prefer a more smoothie texture then regular bananas are the way to go.

    Almond Milk - you can really use any milk type that you enjoy. Some other options are coconut milk, cow's milk, soy milk, rice milk, cashew milk, or any other milk that you are a fan of will work perfectly!

    Matcha Powder - feel free to omit this ingredient if you don't enjoy the taste of matcha. It has a stronger taste that I feel people either love or hate.

    little blonde girl drinking a healthy shamrock shake with a green and white paper straw
    Taylor loves the Shamrock Shake!

    Tips and FAQ's

    What does this shamrock shake taste like?


    This shake has a vanilla taste to it, with a hint of a sweet nutty flavor. When it is topped with whipped cream it has a creaminess that is to die for!

    What is the difference between this shake and a McDonald's shamrock shake?


    The calories are an insane difference! According to McDonald's their shamrock shakes have 460 calories, 12 grams of fat, 76 grams of carbs, and 10 grams of protein. My protein shake has ONLY 87 calories, 2 grams of fat, 16 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of protein.

    Can you make this shake ahead of time?


    If you plan on making a bulk amount of this insanely delicious shake you can store it in your fridge for a day or two.

    a delicious protein shamrock shake topped with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a green and white striped straw

    Other holiday treats to try

    • irish soda bread on a piece of parchment paper with a slice next to the loaf with butter on it
      Irish Soda Bread without Buttermilk
    • birds eye view of Easter blondies on a white plate on a white wooden board topped with mutli-colored m&ms
      Healthy Easter Blondies
    • birds eye view of gluten free dairy free brownies on parchment paper on top of a wooden table with a glass of milk
      Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Brownies
    • almond flour chocolate chip cookies without butter on a white plate sitting on a white board with a red and white stripped cloth napkin
      Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies (without butter)

    If you give this shake a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! Always love hearing what you all think. Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!

    a green shamrock shake in a glass topped with whipped cream and green sprinkles

    Shamrock Protein Shakes

    This Shamrock Shake is a copycat of the McDonald's Shamrock Shake. My version is a healthier shake made with protein, fresh greens, matcha powder, for those added vitamins, and topped with the most delicious keto whipped cream!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Irish
    Diet: Low Calorie
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Total Time: 6 minutes
    Servings: 3 shakes
    Calories: 87kcal
    Author: Jillian Schneider

    Equipment

    • blender

    Ingredients

    • 2 frozen and thawed bananas large
    • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    • 1 cup baby spinach
    • 1 tbsp PB2 powdered peanut butter or regular natural peanut butter
    • 1 scoop protein powder I like to use vanilla protein powder, but any flavor you enjoy will work.
    • 1 tbsp matcha powder
    • green sprinkles
    • green straws
    • homemade whipped cream
    • a few drops of green food coloring

    Instructions

    • In a blender add bananas, almond milk, spinach, PB2 powder or natural peanut butter, matcha powder, protein powder and food coloring. Blend until smooth.
    • Pour into glasses and top with homemade whipped cream, green sprinkles, and green straws!
    • Devour!

    Notes

    How can my kids help?
    Have kids toss everything into the blender 🙂 
    You can make this drink so fun with the sprinkles and straws you use.  I decided to use green for the holiday, but you can use any colors you desire. 
    Also, if you don't want to use the keto whipped cream go all out and use regular whipped cream and this shake will still taste just as good!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3.1g | Fat: 2.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.9g | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 7.5g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @JilliansHealthfulEats or tag #jillianshealthfuleats!
    « Irish Soda Bread without Buttermilk
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eric

      March 22, 2022 at 2:01 am

      5 stars
      Amazing

      Reply
    2. Jillian

      March 22, 2022 at 10:06 am

      Thank you!

      Reply

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