If you happen to’re a fan of the favored McDonald’s shake that comes out this time of yr, then you definately’re going to like this wholesome shamrock shake! This mint chocolate chip shake has tons of scrumptious mint taste and is made with nutrient-dense spinach, banana, cauliflower, and dairy-free yogurt.
The traditional shamrock shake is getting a wholesome makeover simply in time on your St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Candy, creamy, and with simply the correct amount of mint taste – there’s rather a lot to like concerning the inexperienced Shamrock Shake. I discovered myself craving one the opposite day, so I developed this wholesome shamrock shake recipe that’s nonetheless candy, creamy, and minty – however decrease in energy and sugar and made with easy components.
We love vegan smoothies round right here and this chocolate mint smoothie has an additional creamy texture due to frozen banana and frozen cauliflower. Whereas it will get its vivid inexperienced colour (and a great deal of vitamins) from spinach quite than inexperienced meals coloring or matcha – which is utilized in different shamrock shake copycat recipes.
Why You’ll Love this Vegan Shamrock Shake
- Food regimen and Allergen Pleasant: should you’ve been craving a mint shake, however can’t discover a dairy free or vegan model – you’re in luck! This vegan copycat recipe of the well-known mint shake remains to be thick and creamy however with out the dairy due to frozen produce and a few dairy free yogurt. A refreshing drink to fulfill your candy tooth.
- Scrumptious Breakfast or Snack: mint lovers can take pleasure in this mint chocolate smoothie recipe anytime of day. It makes an important breakfast when paired with a muffin or tofu scramble and might simply be packed for an on-the-go pre or submit exercise snack.
- More healthy Copycat: you don’t want me to inform you that the normal shamrock shake positively isn’t a well being meals. (Though, I gained’t choose you for indulging within the occasional shake!) Nonetheless, should you’re trying to fulfill that craving – this nutrient-packed model is way decrease in energy and sugar and makes an ideal St Patrick’s Day deal with.
Elements You’ll Want
- Frozen Banana: utilizing a frozen banana makes for a thicker and frostier smoothie. Freeze further ripe bananas for this recipe for a sweeter shake.
- Frozen Cauliflower: as an alternative of ice, we like so as to add some frozen cauliflower to assist thicken this shake with out watering it down. You’ll be able to’t style the cauliflower within the completed drink however you’ll rating some further fiber.
- Spinach: I choose to make use of recent spinach quite than frozen spinach for the most effective colour and taste – however you could possibly use frozen spinach in a pinch for this vegan smoothie.
- Non-Dairy Yogurt: to make a vegan model of this shamrock shake, I exploit non-dairy yogurt – both unsweetened, plain or vanilla. My favourite vegan yogurt is that this vanilla plant-based yogurt from Siggi’s.
- Non-Dairy Milk: use any plant-based milk of alternative. My favourite is unsweetened, plain soy milk as a result of it has 8 grams of protein per cup – similar to dairy milk. Nonetheless, you should use any that you simply like: almond milk, coconut milk (makes it further thick and creamy!), or oat milk.
- Mint Extract: you’ll get a stronger minty taste through the use of a little bit of mint extract quite than recent mint leaves – however you should use the recent mint should you don’t have the pure peppermint extract. I’ve discovered that a bit of extract goes a great distance, so begin with 1/4 teaspoon and add extra should you want
- Cacao Nibs or Chocolate Chips: you may’t go mistaken with the traditional pairing of mint and chocolate. Plus, the chocolate is a superb supply of antioxidants! Use cacao nibs or mini vegan chocolate chips (we like these ones from Get pleasure from Life!)
Variations and Substitutions
Add extra protein: if you wish to make a extra filling mint smoothie, add a scoop of your favourite plant-based vanilla protein powder earlier than mixing.
Make it extra chocolate-y: if you need much more chocolate taste, add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or a scoop of chocolate protein powder to this smoothie earlier than mixing.
Make it sweeter: this smoothie isn’t overly candy so should you like a sweeter smoothie, add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or 1-2 medjool dates.
Banana free: Don’t like banana? You’ll be able to nonetheless make a scrumptious and creamy mint smoothie! As a substitute of the frozen banana, use 1 complete cup of frozen cauliflower rice (as an alternative of simply 1/2 cup) and add 1/2 cup of ice OR add 1/2 avocado as an alternative of the banana. Because you lose the sweetness from the banana too, add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or 1-2 medjool dates.
How one can Make this Mint Chocolate Smoothie
Step One: Add your whole smoothie components (besides the mini chocolate chips) to a high-powered blender and puree till clean.
Step Two: As soon as pureed clean, add the chocolate chips and pulse to puree the chips. Serve into tall serving glasses garnished with recent mint and additional chocolate chips. For further aptitude, you could possibly high with a vegan whipped cream and/or some inexperienced sprinkles.
Suggestions for Making this Mint Smoothie
- Higher Mixing is within the Layering: for smoother mixing, layer your smoothie components within the pitcher or cup on your blender in order that the spinach is closest to the blade. When the spinach is on the underside, the opposite components weigh it down onto the blade so it blends higher. Additionally, begin with a decrease velocity and steadily enhance the mixing velocity because the components begin to transfer and puree.
- Go Straightforward on the Mint Extract: if utilizing mint extract, a bit of goes a great distance. I often begin with 1/4 teaspoon and add extra after tasting if you need a mintier smoothie. Additionally, be sure you are utilizing mint or peppermint extract and never peppermint oil as it’s a lot too robust.
- Meal Prep: preserve your freezer stocked with frozen bananas so you may simply make this recipe anytime. At any time when we’ve an additional banana or two, I peel them and break it in half to free in a reusable bag. (I like to only halve them as an alternative of slicing so I simply know the way a lot banana I’m including to my smoothies.)
Inexperienced Smoothie Well being Advantages
As a dietitian, I’m an enormous fan of vegan smoothies as a result of they’re a low effort method so as to add extra greens to your eating regimen while not having to cook dinner something. Plus, they’re nice should you aren’t a fan of the flavour or texture of sure greens because you typically can’t style them within the completed smoothie (like this mint inexperienced smoothie for instance!). Listed here are a pair well being advantages of inexperienced smoothies:
Good Supply of Fiber: do you know that solely 7% of US adults usually devour sufficient fiber? Fiber not solely helps common bowel actions however it could decrease ldl cholesterol, encourage a wholesome intestine microbiome, decrease irritation, and extra. Inexperienced smoothies are additionally a great way to get fiber vs sipping on a inexperienced juice. (Take a look at my juicing vs mixing submit for extra!)
Wealthy in Antioxidants: inexperienced leafy greens like spinach and kale comprise quite a lot of antioxidants. These are useful compounds in meals that may stop harm brought on by free radicals. Though free radicals are produced naturally within the physique, if left unchecked they will contribute to continual irritation. Including a handful of spinach to your smoothie is an effective way to get them into your eating regimen!
Storage
Fridge: if in case you have leftover smoothie, you may retailer in within the fridge for 1-2 days. Nonetheless, the colourful inexperienced colour fades over time and it loses some taste. If potential, it’s greatest to drink this smoothie proper after mixing.
Freezer: quite than placing leftover smoothie within the fridge, I feel it tastes higher should you freeze it instantly. Pour leftover smoothie into an ice dice tray and freeze strong earlier than transferring the frozen smoothie cubes to a ziplock bag. It’s also possible to pour leftover mint smoothie into popsicle molds and freeze right into a enjoyable, more healthy popsicle!
Recipe FAQs
The traditional McDonald’s shamrock shake is produced from vanilla tender serve and mint-flavored shamrock shake syrup. A small has 500 energy, 14 grams fats, and 51 grams of added sugar.
So long as you’re utilizing uncooked, recent spinach leaves – you may’t style them within the smoothie! Particularly this mint chocolate chip smoothie because the mint extract provides it loads of taste. Kale, however, could give your smoothie a touch of grassy taste. (At the very least – I feel so!)
Sure, you need to use uncooked spinach in smoothies! The feel and taste of cooked spinach is not any good for including to smoothies – you need to use uncooked, recent spinach.
Extra Vegan Smoothie Recipes
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Mint Smoothie Recipe
If you happen to’re a fan of the favored McDonald’s shake that comes out this time of yr, then you are going to love this wholesome shamrock shake! This mint chocolate chip shake has tons of scrumptious mint taste and is made with nutrient-dense spinach, banana, cauliflower, and dairy-free yogurt.
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Directions
Add your whole smoothie components (besides the mini chocolate chips) to a high-powered blender and puree till clean.
As soon as pureed clean, add the chocolate chips and pulse to puree the chips. Serve into tall serving glasses garnished with recent mint and additional chocolate chips. For further aptitude, you could possibly high with a vegan whipped cream and/or some inexperienced sprinkles.
Notes
Vitamin
Serving: 1smoothie | Energy: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 12g | Fats: 10g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 1g | Trans Fats: 0.03g | Ldl cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 990mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 3618IU | Vitamin C: 71mg | Calcium: 462mg | Iron: 2mg