Five Guys Peanut Butter Milkshake

My roommate in college used to work at Five Guys and would come home smelling like peanuts and burgers. One night she taught me their milkshake secret, and I have never looked at a blender the same way since.

I made these for a summer barbecue last year, and my friend Sarah took one sip, closed her eyes, and said this was exactly what she needed after the week she had had. Sometimes dessert is just therapy in a cup.

Ingredients

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Premium fullfat ice cream makes all the difference here because the higher fat content creates that luxurious restaurantstyle thickness
• Whole Milk: Cold whole milk helps achieve the perfect pourable consistency while keeping everything rich and creamy
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Unsweetened or lightly sweetened peanut butter gives you that intense nutty flavor without becoming cloying
• Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon rounds everything out and makes the peanut butter sing

Instructions

Blend Everything Together:

Combine the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, peanut butter, and vanilla extract in your blender and blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until completely smooth. Stop halfway through to scrape down any peanut butter clinging to the sides.

Adjust to Your Liking:

Taste the shake and decide if you need to adjust the thickness. Add more milk for a thinner consistency or more ice cream if you want it thicker.

Assemble and Serve:

Pour into chilled glasses and top immediately with whipped cream, crushed roasted peanuts, and chocolate syrup if you are feeling extra indulgent. Serve with a straw and a long spoon.

Save

My nephew asks for this every single time he visits. He calls it the good peanut butter one, which I have decided to accept as the highest possible compliment.

Make It Vegan

Plantbased ice cream and milk work surprisingly well here. Just look for a vanilla ice cream that is not too sweet, as some vegan versions can lean heavily on sugar.

Extra Decadent Variations

Blend a tablespoon of chocolate syrup directly into the shake for a chocolate peanut butter situation. You can also throw in a handful of chocolate chips for little pockets of melted chocolate throughout.

Serving Suggestions

Chill your glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving. Keep your toppings ready to go because everything comes together fast.

• Crush the peanuts right before serving so they stay crunchy
• Use long straws for the thick consistency
• Always have extra napkins ready

Save

There is something so satisfying about a milkshake that requires a spoon. Enjoy every sip.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of peanut butter works best?

Creamy peanut butter delivers the smoothest texture. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened varieties allow you to control the sweetness level while letting the natural peanut flavor shine through.

→ Can I make this thicker or thinner?

Absolutely. Add more ice cream for a thicker, spoonable consistency or increase the milk for a thinner, sippable shake. Start with less liquid and gradually adjust until reaching your preferred texture.

→ How do I get that restaurant-style thickness?

Using premium, full-fat vanilla ice cream makes all the difference. The higher butterfat content creates that rich, velvety mouthshake. Blend thoroughly and avoid over-mixing with too much milk.

→ What toppings complement this shake?

Whipped cream and crushed roasted peanuts are classic choices. Chocolate syrup drizzle, chocolate chips, or even a dollop of additional peanut butter on top add extra layers of flavor and texture.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

This shake tastes best when served immediately. However, you can prep the ingredients beforehand—measure everything into the blender jar and store in the freezer until ready to blend and serve.