This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.
The very first green smoothie recipe I ever tried was this one, the Very Berry Smoothie–and it changed my life. At that time, my husband and I were financially struggling as he transitioned to a new job as a pastor.
We had no health insurance and our kids were at that age when all they did was pass colds back and forth (and they almost always turned into an ear infection). This berry smoothie recipe gave us the immunity boost we needed to stay healthy, as well as caused us to fall in love with green smoothies.
Table of Contents
Berry Smoothie Recipe for Immune Boost
For the past 8 years, I’ve sipped green smoothies with my family, and used real, whole food to keep us healthy. We also use natural remedies to heal our body. We haven’t needed any prescriptions (or over the counter meds) since starting green smoothies, so that’s proof enough for me that real food heals!
Specifically, this berry smoothie’s got over 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It also boasts 8 grams of fiber, which keeps the body regular. Fiber is often overlooked, yet getting enough fiber daily can combat Type II Diabetes, obesity, certain types of cancer, and cardiovascular disease. That makes it an important ingredient in my opinion!
Save This for Later!
Enter your info below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox to save for later.
▶ Get more plant-based recipes + tutorials in Rawk the Year: Meal Planner with access to meal planning tools, ad-free recipe library, grocery list generator and support.
Blend a Quality Smoothie EVERY Time
Follow these steps for a perfectly blended smoothie, using my favorite smoothie blenders! First, make sure you start with a mix of fresh + frozen ingredients. I recommend at least 1 frozen fruit in each smoothie, so that it is nicely chilled.
I also follow the 1 1/2 + 1 + 1 rule: 1 1/2 cups of fruit, 1 cup of leafy green vegetables, and 1 cup of liquid in every smoothie. Finally, if you are blending with a non-high powered blender, then make sure to blend your liquid + leafy greens first. This will minimize the leafy chunks at the end, and also help your blender break down the ingredients better.
Note: this berry smoothie recipe has a little less water in it, because oranges act as a liquid and a fruit, they’re so juicy. For tips on blending it all perfectly, check out our guide on how to make a smoothie.
How to measure leafy greens
I often get the question, “How do you measure leafy greens?!” It’s a great question, yet the answer varies depending on the person. If you are new to green smoothies, I recommend a lightly packed 1 cup serving of spinach. If you’re a #greensmoothiequeen, then stuff those greens in as much as you can!
Seriously though, if you need to start with 2 spinach leaves and work your way to more, then that’s great. I know that you’ll be adding more greens to each smoothie in no time, just like I did! These days, I just grab a few big handfuls of spinach for my smoothie, and sometimes I even freeze spinach ahead of time so it’s ready to toss in.
Ingredient Swaps
Green smoothies are super versatile, so don’t be afraid to make these recipes fit your pantry, as well as your tastebuds. I like the strawberry/blueberry combo in this berry smoothie, yet choose the berries you like best. Cherries + raspberries are also a great combo.
- If you need to cut down on the sugar, swap the banana with 1/2 cup cauliflower, or 1/2 avocado. That way your smoothie stays creamy and your blood sugar stays happy. If you do this swap you can freeze bananas for later use and learn how to cut avocado like a pro!
- If fresh oranges aren’t easy to find, you can sub in 1/2 cup 100% orange juice, just make sure it’s the kind with lots of pulp!
More Berry Smoothies
Berries are easy to add to smoothies, so I’ve got a whole list of fruit smoothies for you berry lovers to try:
- Strawberry mango smoothie
- Cranberry smoothie
- Blueberry smoothie
- Elderberry smoothie
- Cherry açaí smoothie
- Blackberry smoothie
If you make this citrus berry smoothie, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Citrus Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 orange
- ⅓ cup strawberries frozen
- ⅓ cup blueberries frozen
- ½ banana
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Blend spinach, water & orange until smooth.
- Add fruit and blend again.
Video
Helpful Tools
Notes
- You can swap the orange for 1/2 cup of orange juice with lots of pulp. Remember— fiber is our friend!
- Use at least 1 frozen fruit for a refreshingly cool smoothie.
- Swap in any leafy green vegetables you want.
- Pre-prep all ingredients in my frozen meal prep smoothie packs so you always have a quick smoothie ready to blend-and-go.
Yummy!
I did not like this smoothie as much. It had a lot of pieces from the orange. However, I managed to appreciate the benefits of the berries. I also added some flaxseed powder and extra water. Another day #4!
I enjoyed this smoothie. I followed the recipe and only added chia seeds as an extra ingredient to boost the fiber and protein content without altering the flavor. I want to first try all of the smoothie recipes as written for evaluation of the recipe and later alter to create flavors more to my liking. This recipe had a defined citrus with berry flavor. It was all that I had for breakfast, and it was quite satisfying.
This one is extremely refreshing. Very fruity and flavorful. Will be making this many more times.
Great smoothie. The orange flavor really came through.
Love this Berry Smoothie with the added orange!
I love blueberries but their tartness in smoothies is something I have yet to learn to love, maybe a full banana instead of half could have worked? I did find the orange to be delightful, something I used to despise. Side note, I supplemented this blend by adding some hemp seeds and avocado for a meal replacement smoothie.
Delicious blend of fruit and greens. It was refreshing and the orange added a citrus note that was very pleasant.
Definitely one of my faves!!
Very Tasty! Loved the taste! You can’t taste the greens. My daughter loved it. I am not a fan of berries, but this might change my mind about them.
Too sweet. I’d probably sub avocado for the banana next time.
It may look green but it doesn’t taste green. Flavors of strawberry and orange and a hint of banana. Fresh.
I really like this one. I put in whole mandarins, peel & all, so the orange flavor is strong. My teenager thought it tasted like disinfectant, so we might try peeling the oranges next time – unless it’s just for me! I don’t think this will replace prescription medication for our family, though – we’ve got complicated medical issues – but the recipe is a keeper!
I am drinking this smoothie right now and I love it! It is packed with so much flavor! I especially love the orange zing. Again, I subbed water for coconut water
Tastes wonderful! My 7 year old loved it. Next time, I will sub avocado for some of the fruit, as I have diabetes.
Love the flavor the orange gives to this smoothie! It’s a keeper!
This is a really delicious smoothie. I love the addition of the orange. My favorite of the challenge so far.
Never had a smoothie before with a whole orange in it. Love it!
Sorry, This one was not my favorite! I think it was the orange. I also added organic kale.I still enjoy drinking my Smoothies.
Thick!