This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure 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!
Blend a Quality Smoothie EVERY Time
Follow these steps to a perfectly blended smoothie, no matter the blender! 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 greens, 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!
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 skip the measuring cup.
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 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 recipes for you berry lovers to try:
- Strawberry mango smoothie
- Cranberry smoothie
- Blueberry smoothie
- Elderberry smoothie
- Cherry açaí smoothie
- Blackberry smoothie
What berry combos are your fav? Leave a comment and let me know! Let’s keep that antioxidant love going.
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.
Equipment
Video
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 you want.
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!
This one was very thick. I think next time I’d like it better if I thinned it out with a bit of almond milk or water
For my blender, I definitely needed to add more water to make this work. I think the recipe differs depending on the size of orange you are working with. The taste is OK for me, but not as appealing as some others.
Verry Berry smoothie does not taste like a green smoothie at all. Very light berry flavor, love it!
Super tasty! Used a raspberry orange to add something wild to my smoothie!
I wasn’t sure if I was meant to peel the orange so I left some peel on . I found the citrus overpowered all other flavours – I am not sure very berry is the name I would use as the man flavour was the orange – STILL DELICIOUS just for those expecting a full berry flavour .
I am loving these recipes – this isn’t my favourite but IS delicious and will make again, I will probably cheat next time and peel the orange – while full of nutrition I find any peel overpowering unless in cooked food .
Thanks for another great smoothie a must for all you orange lovers !!
Catherine, you can peel the orange but try to leave as much of the pith, or white part, on as possible. It contains lots of wonderful fiber and vitamin C. Here’s a great post that talks about peels and whether to keep them on or get rid of them- To Peel or Not to Peel? Happy blending! 🙂
This was a little bit too sweet for me. We have new season Spanish oranges (in the UK) which are lovely and sweet, also ripe banana & blueberries. Would be great for kids and those who like the sweeter smoothies; also for post workout recovery. Still enjoyed.
This is my least favorite smoothie recipe . The whole orange with the peel was overpowering. I pre-prepped the ingredients and my Vitamix struggled all the frozen fruit.
Sandra, we recommend peeling your orange before you blend it. Many folks like to cut the peel off their oranges so they can save as much of the pith, or white part, as possible. It’s full of fiber and vitamin C. Here’s a great post on peeling fruits + veggies before blending: To Peel or Not to Peel?
This smoothie was a beautiful purplish color and tasted good!