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If you’re new to green smoothies—or just want one that actually tastes good—this is the recipe to start with. This simple green smoothie blends spinach with banana, mango, and pineapple to create a naturally sweet, tropical drink that comes together in minutes. It’s proof that healthy can be easy, delicious, and something you’ll actually want to make again tomorrow.
Table of Contents
What is a Green Smoothie?
A green smoothie is a blended drink made with leafy green vegetables, like spinach or kale, and naturally sweet fruit such as bananas, berries, or tropical fruit. The fruit balances the flavor of the greens, creating a smooth, refreshing drink that’s easy to enjoy. Green smoothies are a quick and simple way to add more fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your day in one glass.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need to make my favorite green smoothie recipe is found in a garden, farmer’s market, or the produce section of your grocery store. I’ve found that the closer we eat to nature, the better we feel. This green smoothie recipe is a great way to start that journey.
- Fresh spinach: Baby spinach is the most mild version to use in smoothies, and also the most easy to find. I suggest using organic spinach because it’s on the dirty dozen list.
- Pineapple: I buy frozen pineapple at Costco in bulk to make frozen meal prep smoothie packs. If it’s on sale, I’ll cut pineapple and freeze it myself.
- Mango: You’ll find frozen mango next to the ice cream in the freezer section. I love how it’s already peeled and cut for you and ready to add to the blender. If fresh mango is on sale, you can always cut the mango and freeze yourself. Check out my guide on how to cut mango.
- Fresh banana: Bananas add a creaminess to smoothies that is hard to replicate. It’s magic! You can also freeze bananas to use them in green smoothies, yet the best results come from blending with a fresh, ripe banana.
- Water: The liquid base in the smoothie is water. Use filtered water to avoid any unnecessary chemicals or pollutants.
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How to Make a Green Smoothie
- Blend 1 cup of spinach in a blender with 1 cup of liquid. Blend until all leafy chunks are gone.
- Toss in frozen mango, pineapple, and bananas in the blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. If you want your smoothie to be extra chilly or possibly even turn it into a smoothie bowls, use more frozen fruit. (You can freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas, grapes, pineapple, or berries.)
- Add in superfoods once the smoothie is nice and creamy. Chia seeds, hemp hearts, and flax seeds are all great choices.
- In order to break down the cell walls of the plants, you need to blend at high speed. You shouldn’t have any leafy chunks or weird texture in your smoothie if your blender is powerful enough.
- Drink immediately. To get the maximum amount of nutrients from a smoothie, drink it immediately after blending it.
Recipe Tips
- Following a simple smoothie method in my how to make a smoothie guide helps balance greens, fruit, and liquid for a smooth, great-tasting blend. Tossing in random greens can lead to bitter flavors or a thin texture.
- Frozen fruit makes smoothies thick and creamy without ice, which can dilute flavor and strain your blender. I use a fresh banana for creaminess, plus frozen mango and frozen pineapple for sweetness.
- Invest in a high-speed blender for smoothies if you plan to make green smoothies a daily habit—it makes blending faster, smoother, and easier to stick with. A juicer or food processor won’t work to get you a creamy smoothie.
Ingredient Swaps
- Banana: You can substitute it with a quarter of an avocado.
- Mango: Swap with frozen pineapple, red apple or peaches for a fiber-rich alternative.
- Pineapple: Swap with a naval orange to get that juicy citrus flavor.
- Water: Use oat milk, almond milk, coconut water or orange juice depending on your health goals. Here are some of my favorite oat milk brands and almond milk brands to buy.
- Spinach: Swap for kale, Swiss chard, beet greens, or any leafy green vegetables of your choice.
How to Store a Green Smoothie
Store your green smoothie in the fridge with an air-tight lid (ex: mason jars are great) for up to 48 hours, yet I think it tastes best if consumed within 4 hours after blending. The longer your smoothie is exposed to oxygen, the more it breaks down and the nutrients deteriorate (aka: oxidation).
Green Smoothie Add-Ins
- Protein powder: You can turn any green smoothie recipe into a meal replacement by adding a serving of my homemade protein powder to the blender.
- Natural sweeteners: Increase sweetness by using more natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, bananas, or dates. A smoothie can taste like dessert without any refined sugars.
- Chia seeds: A simple way to add more healthy fats and protein is to add 2 tbsp chia seeds. It won’t alter the taste, but drink fast or it will congeal. Some recipes suggest adding almond butter, yet that’s disgusting in a tropical green smoothie
- Collagen: Unflavored collagen is a simple way to add additional protein and support gut health.
- More vegetables: Try adding 1/4 cup frozen cauliflower for a fiber boost without altering the flavor.
More Green Smoothies
Here’s some of the most popular green smoothie recipes on my blog to try next:
- My son is obsessed with this mango orange smoothie recipe.
- This tropical kale smoothie will surprise even the pickiest smoothie drinkers.
- I love this glowing green smoothie with spinach and romaine lettuce for digestive support.
- Escape with this tropical detox island green smoothie to heal from within.
If you make this best green smoothie recipe, 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.
Dietary Adjustments & Substitutions
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Best Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ cup mango frozen
- 1 banana
Instructions
- Measure: Tightly pack spinach in a measuring cup.
- Add: Put spinach to blender with water. Blend together until all chunks are gone. (Should resemble green water when blended well).
- Toss: Pineapple, mango and banana to blender. I like to use frozen pineapple and mangos to chill the smoothie down and save time cutting and prepping. It’s a win-win!
- Blend: It all together until smooth and creamy. Depending on your blender, this could take as little as 30 seconds or as long as 2 minutes.
- Pour: Into a glass and serve immediately.
Video
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Try adding a serving of homemade protein powder, it’s super clean and easy to make.
- Not a fan of bananas? Swap it for 1/4 avocado, additional 1/2 cup mango or 1/2 cup peaches.
- You can use 1 cup pineapple if you’re out of mango.
- Frozen fruit is recommended to chill the smoothie (and save time cutting and washing).
- Store in the fridge with a lid until ready to drink.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
You won’t be able to taste the spinach if you use the proper ratio of fruit to spinach (1½ : 1). This green smoothie recipe tastes like a mango pineapple smoothie with a hint of banana flavor.
For busy weeks, you can create frozen smoothie packs that you prep on the weekend and enjoy all week, or month. It’ll only take you 5 minutes every morning to have a green smoothie ready to go. You can also blend your smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge until ready to drink.
Green smoothies are the healthiest fast food out there. Blending spinach and fruit into a smoothie is a great way to boost your immune system, increase fiber intake, and boost your energy levels. Adding kale or spinach in a smoothie has incredible health benefits with additional phytonutrients. What we eat can truly transform our body in powerful ways!
Most smoothies you buy or find online are made with just fruit and fruit juice. This makes them crazy high in sugar, which can cause inflammation and consuming excess calories. A green smoothie, on the other hand, is made with fruit and leafy greens, typically spinach or kale. They’re loaded with iron, potassium, fiber and vitamins galore.
Any blender will work, yet to get the creamiest green smoothie you’ll need a high speed blender. Check out my blenders for smoothies guide, where I reviewed countless blenders to find the best ones for green smoothies. The key is to get rid of leafy chunks, blend quickly and provide tons of value for the price. Hint: not all of them cost $400.
I think this recipe was my first green smoothie way back in 2014 (or was it 2015?) and it’s still my favorite. It really is the Best Green Smoothie! For my add-ons I added about 20g plain pea protein, chia seeds, flax seeds, and spirulina. Yummmmm!!!
Such a great idea to add the pea protein, chia seeds, flax seeds and spirulina! That’s one protein packed smoothie!
Easy peasy and delicious! I might use half the banana next time or sun the avocado as suggested.
The avocado is great in this one too, Carey! Takes out some of the sweetness but you keep the creaminess.
Very refreshing and easy to make. Don’t worry about the spinach, you’ll never taste it. Go for the green!
This one definitely hides the spinach with the awesome fruits!
It was delicious!
I added a couple of dates for a lil added sweetness!
My family and I (62) are doing it together.
My husband (65), daughter (39), son (42), and daughter-in-love (35)!!
We are super pumped about our decision to press the re-set button and get back into our routing of smoothies EVERYDAY! We all fell off the wagon! This challenge is perfect timing!
“Routine!”
Ooohh I bet the dates were awesome in this recipe! Great idea, Leeanna!
This was the right balance of flavors. Not overly sweet or too “green” tasting. The only thing I added differently was a scoop of flax seed and omitted the protein powder. I never though to pre-blend the spinach, since I have a Vitamix, but the color and texture were much better doing it this way. Thanks for the tip!
You’re so welcome! I live by blending the greens first, just makes it all blend better I think!
The banana makes this smoothie just sweet enough for me. It’s so tropical and takes me back to warmer days!
This one definitely makes me feel like I’m on a beach vacation, Maricel!
I love the smoothie! The bananas sweeten the flavor and I’m no way intimidated by the spinach. I just like feeling better. Good health is my wealth! Thanks for inviting me to the challenge!
So glad you joined me for the challenge, Debbie! Keep the great reviews coming!
Delicious but a little too sweet for me. I used water instead of coconut water. I might swap avocado for the banana next time. It’s also very satisfying. I haven’t reached for any snacks this morning. 🙂
Swapping the avocado definitely helps cut down on some of the sweetness of this one while still making it creamy!
Great smoothie, my go to when I am not sure what to have because I almost always have the ingredients in my freezer.
This one is a staple in my house too, Jenn!
Easy and delicious! A new go-to smoothie for sure! 🙂
If you’re wanting to watch your level of sweetness, decrease the banana to 1/2.
Great idea to decrease the banana, Elisabeth!
Very simple and delicious! I thought it wouldn’t be sweet enough but the pineapple takes care of that.
The pineapple definitely gives this one the perfect amount of sweetness!
Delicious, tropical tasting, slightly sweet, not overbearing, light, refreshing
Thanks so much, Cristina!
So easy thats my favorite part. Yummy. Would never thought of mixing ginger with fruit but is really delicious.
Love that you tried this one with the ginger, it definitely adds more flavor to this one!
This is delicious! The tip about mixing in the spinach first with water is a game changer.
Right?! I swear by blending the leafy greens first, just makes sure they’re all nicely blended and less chunky!
Delicious smoothie.
I love simple smoothies and this one fits the bill. I added 3 c spinach and upped the water by .5 c to make one quart.
Tastes tropical to me so I’m excited to make the tropical one!
Great idea to add more spinach and water!
Simple and so refreshing. The mango makes this very creamy.
This one is refreshing for sure, Heather!
Best smoothie ever! Shared with my best friend and she loved it too!
Smoothies are best shared for sure, Tara!
The Ultimate Green Smoothie: A Delicious, Easy, and Exceptional Blend of Goodness!
I stumbled upon this 7 day challenge, and day 1’s green smoothie recipe that has completely revolutionized my morning routine – the best smoothie I’ve ever had! This concoction is not only incredibly delicious but also unbelievably easy to make, making it the perfect choice for busy mornings or a quick, healthy snack any time of the day. I am a medical student and I can attest this smoothie has given me so much energy to tackle the day.
The ingredients of this green smoothie are simple yet power-packed with nutrients. A blend of fresh spinach, ripe bananas, creamy avocado, and tropical mangos and pineapple creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds. What sets this recipe apart is its perfect balance – and the ability to transport you to a tropical island.
One of the best things about this smoothie is its vibrant green color, which is a visual feast for the eyes and an indication of its freshness. The smoothie’s texture is velvety smooth, and every sip feels like a indulgent treat. The combination of spinach and avocados gives it a rich, creamy consistency, making it incredibly satisfying and filling.
What truly makes this green smoothie exceptional is its health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this drink is a nutritional powerhouse. It boosts your energy levels, provides a generous dose of essential nutrients, and helps kickstart your day on a healthy note. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in those leafy greens that are often hard to incorporate into our diets.
As for the ease of preparation, this recipe is a game-changer. With just a handful of ingredients and a Vitamix, you can whip up this green goodness in a matter of minutes. The simplicity of the recipe makes it accessible to everyone, from novice cooks to seasoned chefs.
In conclusion, this green smoothie recipe is a winner in every aspect. Its delightful taste, combined with its nutritional benefits and effortless preparation, makes it a top contender for the title of the best smoothie ever. If you’re looking for a delicious, easy, and exceptionally healthy green smoothie to add to your daily routine, look no further – this recipe is a true gem that will leave you craving more. Cheers to a healthier, happier you! To day 1 of this challenge and can’t wait to make tomorrow’s smoothie!
Ahh Tara! Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and lengthy review. So glad you’re here and loving the smoothie challenge!
Very tasty, and with the addition of cashew powder (I don’t have all the ingredients to make the protein powder recipe) very filling for breakfast!
Love that you added cashew powder, I haven’t thought to try that!
This smoothie was delicious. There was nothing in it not to love. I’m looking forward to trying the rest of them.
Can’t wait to hear what you think of the other smoothies, Gail!