The Best Green Smoothie
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Learn how to make the best green smoothie recipe! Experience the classic green smoothie in a whole new way with this delicious, vegan-friendly, and healthy recipe.
Drinking green smoothies is a healthy trend that most people start at the beginning of the new year. Some continue this habit, while some give up because they simply don’t like the taste. To be honest, I was in the same boat until I had a green smoothie at a vegan restaurant. It was so delicious that I drank it to the last drop.
After I got back home, I checked the ingredients of the recipe from their online restaurant menu and tried to reverse-engineer the recipe. It took me about 7 attempts to recreate the taste, and I finally nailed it. Here’s how to make this simple green smoothie that even your kids will love!
What is in a green smoothie?
Green smoothies combine leafy greens and fruits or veggies with liquids such as water, coconut water, or milk (dairy or plant-based) to make a refreshing beverage. They’re packed with nutrients and make a great addition to your morning routine.
What’s so good about this green smoothie?
The combination of fresh spinach, pineapple, and kiwi creates a delicious and refreshing flavor that is packed with a ton of essential nutrients. The spinach provides an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while the pineapple, orange, and kiwi offer an array of natural sugars, antioxidants, and immune-boosting properties.
Here’s why this is my favorite green smoothie recipe –
- No added sugar – thanks to all the fruits!
- Tastes REALLY good – perfect for beginners and even kids.
- It is nutritious and is a great way to sneak your veggies and fruits in!
- Dairy-free and naturally vegan.
Ingredient notes/swaps
- Baby spinach because they are sweeter and milder than mature spinach.
- Fresh pineapple, chopped – Frozen pineapple will work too. You can also use fresh or frozen mango as a substitute.
- Kiwi, chopped
- Orange – for a citrusy touch and a dose of vitamin C
- Lime or lemon juice – an essential ingredient that brings all the flavors together.
- Liquid base – water or coconut water
- Ice cubes (optional) – Instead of using ice cubes, you could use frozen pineapple chunks.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
Recommended Tools
The blender I recommend
This blender is not only great for smoothies but also makes fine purees and spice powders.
How to make a green smoothie
In most smoothie recipes, you dump the ingredients and blend them, but green smoothies have a different process. This is to ensure that the greens (spinach in this recipe) are pulverized properly. We certainly don’t want the tiny pieces of spinach to get stuck between our teeth. That is why I follow this process for every kind of green smoothie –
- Add the liquids along with the greens first.
- The next ingredient to go would be fresh fruits.
- Add ice or frozen fruits last.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
- Follow the sequence of adding the ingredients in the blender as mentioned in the process.
- Use a high-speed blender like Blendtec or Vitamix for the best results.
- Use baby spinach because it is milder and sweeter than mature spinach.
- Your smoothie will only be as good as the ingredients you use. Always use fruits that are ripe and taste good.
- Swap fresh fruits with frozen fruit blend from the store to save prep time.
Variations
Here are a few other healthy ingredients you can use to create variations to this simple green smoothie recipe
- Leafy greens – Substitute spinach with kale or chard.
- Fruits – ripe bananas, mangos, strawberries (or any other berries), and red/green apples make excellent additions to this green smoothie. You can also add 1/4 of an avocado to incorporate some healthy fats. Note: However, keep in mind that using berries will cause the smoothie to lose its fresh green color and look brown.
- Veggies – Add about 1/4 cup of chopped cucumber slices for a delicious variation.
- Liquid – Substitute water with equal amounts of coconut water or plant-based milk such as oat milk or almond milk. You can also use Greek yogurt.
- Nut butter and seeds – You can add a tablespoon of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter or sprinkle in some chia seeds or hemp seeds for added nutrition.
- Smoothie bowl – To make a green smoothie bowl, blend this smoothie with chopped frozen banana to give it a thick, creamy texture.
- Sweeteners – Though this smoothie doesn’t need added sugar because of the natural sweetness of tropical fruits, you can also add honey or maple syrup to sweeten it a bit more.
- Other great add-ins include fresh ginger (grated) or a splash of orange juice instead of fresh oranges.
How to prep ahead
You can prep for this healthy green smoothie recipe by making individual smoothie packs. Gather all the ingredients (except the liquids) and add them to a reusable silicone food bag in the freezer. Just pull the bag out from the freezer whenever you are ready to blend them in. This does not impact the taste, and it is ready in about 2 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
No, you can’t. I recommend using baby spinach for best results since they are sweeter and milder than mature spinach.
Yes, you certainly can. Make sure to remove the stem before adding it to the smoothie. Note: Kale does have a stronger taste than spinach.
Yes, you can use frozen spinach—no need to thaw before using. Since frozen spinach tends to clump together, substitute 1 cup of fresh spinach with 1/4 cup frozen spinach.
Though this smoothie tastes great without any added sugar, you can add honey or maple syrup to sweeten it a bit more.
To thicken a green smoothie, add 1/4th of an avocado or 1/2 a banana that has been chopped and frozen.
If you’re interested in starting an easy smoothie routine or just looking for a way to include healthy ingredients in your diet, then this simple green smoothie recipe is perfect for you!
I assure you that it tastes so good that you’ll savor every sip rather than gulping it down.
The Best Green Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1.5 cups pineapple chunks fresh or frozen
- 1 kiwi peeled and chopped
- 1 orange peeled
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Add water along with baby spinach into the blender.
- Add chopped kiwi, orange slices and pineapple chunks. If using frozen pineapple, add it last. Pour the lime juice on top.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately for the best tasting smoothie.
Notes
- Follow the sequence of adding the ingredients in the blender as mentioned in the process.
- Use a high-performance blender like Blendtec or Vitamix for best results.
- Use baby spinach because it is milder and sweeter than mature spinach.
- Your smoothie will only be as good as the ingredients you use. Always use fruits that are ripe and taste good. A raw kiwi or a tasteless pineapple will not make a great-tasting smoothie.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
Nutrition
How to store
Refrigerator: It lasts about two days in the refrigerator and then starts to lose flavor. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. Stir well before serving.
Freezer: You can also make the smoothie and freeze it. It will last about 2-3 months in the freezer. To consume, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. You might need to keep it on the counter for an hour to thaw it completely. You can also freeze leftover smoothies in ice-cube trays and use the cubes to make new smoothies.
Other smoothie recipes worth checking out
Looking for more smoothie ideas that your family will love? Here are my top picks –
Spinach strawberry banana smoothie
Try this delightful strawberry banana spinach smoothie – a tasty blend with the added nutrition of spinach and dates!
Indulge in this creamy mango banana smoothie – a quick, delicious treat with easy vegan swaps! It’s a vacation in a glass!
Craving a healthy, tangy treat? Dive into our copycat Orange Julius recipe! Deliciously creamy and easy to make!
Experience a tropical delight with our pineapple mango smoothie. It’s your perfect pick-me-up – satisfying and delicious.
Get a delicious breakfast or snack on the go with this quick and easy strawberry banana smoothie. Ideal for busy families!
Need more smoothie recipes? Check out this list of 10+ easy smoothie recipes for when you need fresh ideas to keep your smoothie-drinking routine interesting.
This post was originally published on 01/10/2020 and was completely updated with pictures and new text on 9/6/2023.
