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My favorite green smoothie recipe is really a tropical energy drink in disguise. With over 1,300 5-star reviews, it’s time for you to see why blending spinach into a smoothie is a tasty morning habit.
I know a green smoothie doesn’t sound (or look) very appealing at first sight, but it can be beyond delicious. I’ve blended this recipe in kindergarten classrooms (and the kids ask for seconds)! I’ve made it for my teenage daughter’s volleyball friends and they chug it down. I drink this green smoothie recipe almost every morning to boost my energy levels and nourish my body.
Table of contents
Benefits of a Green Smoothie
Drinking this green smoothie is what gave me the body and energy levels to do some incredible things in my late 30’s after having two kids. I’ve run 47 miles of the Grand Canyon, rode a motorcycle across Morocco in a 7-day race, hiked Angel’s Landing and created a backyard garden for my kids.
This simple green smoothie is great for beginners because it’s naturally sweetened with fruit (no added sugars) and loaded with greens and protein. Some of the benefits I’ve noticed when I drink a green smoothie every day are:
- More energy from the natural fruit sugars
- Don’t get sick (my immune system is strong thanks to all the nutrients)
- My digestive system is happy with all the fiber and hydration from a green smoothie
This daily habit has kept my kids healthy when we didn’t have health insurance, energized us in between school and sports and nourished us so we rarely get sick. And when we do, we can usually bounce back with some of my own natural remedies.
My kids started drinking green smoothies when they were 2 years old. Now, they’re teenagers and still drink them. Here’s some photos of them over the years (they have no clue I put these on here!).
When I created this green smoothie recipe, it changed my family’s life in more ways than I ever imagined. It was love at first sip for me, my two kids and 1 million others, who were intimidated by spinach (just like me!). Since them, I’ve published a best-selling green smoothie cookbook and shared my recipes live on The Doctors TV Show…twice!
Best Green Smoothie Ingredients
Everything you need to make a green smoothie is found in a garden, farmer’s market or the produce section of your grocery store. The closer we eat to nature, the better we feel. This smoothie recipe is a great way to start eating healthier foods. Here’s the ingredients we’ll be blending:
- 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 one of the Dirty Dozen. The right ratio of spinach to fruit makes it sweet, as well as helps you reap all the health benefits.
- Frozen pineapple: I buy frozen pineapple at Costco in bulk to make Frozen Smoothie Packs. If it’s on sale, I’ll cut up pineapple and freeze it myself.
- Frozen mango: You’ll find this 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.
- Fresh banana: Bananas add a creaminess to smoothies that is hard to replicate. It’s magic!
- Water: The liquid base in the smoothie is water. Use filtered water to avoid any unnecessary chemicals or pollutants. I like using a Berkey Water Filter that I keep on my countertop.
Fresh VS frozen fruit
I prefer using frozen fruit because it chills down your smoothie without using ice, which can dull your blender blades overtime. I use fresh bananas in my smoothies because I like how creamy they make it.
How to Blend a Green Smoothie
The only equipment you need to make a green smoothie is a high-speed blender for smoothies. A juicer or food processor won’t work to get you a creamy drink you’ll want to make over and over. Once you have a blender, you can successfully make the best green smoothie recipe following the steps below.
Blend spinach with liquid base
Blend 1 cup of spinach (or another leafy greens of your choice) in a blender with 1 cup of liquid. Adding spinach to your smoothie boosts the phytonutrients and fiber, which then slows down the absorption of sugars into your body. Blend until all leafy chunks are gone.
Beginner Blending Tip
When you’re making your first few green smoothies, follow my Green Smoothie Formula to get the perfect blend. Don’t just throw spinach and kale in the blender. Chances are, it’ll taste nasty if you wing it right out of the gate.
Add frozen fruit to blender
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 be a smoothie bowl, use more frozen fruit. You can freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas, grapes, pineapple or berries.
How to sweeten a smoothie
If the smoothie isn’t as sweet as you would like, add in some natural sweeteners like bananas, mango, oranges, honey or pitted dates.
Scoop in the superfoods
Once the smoothie is nice and creamy, you can add in superfoods. Chia seeds, hemp hearts and flax seed are all great choices. You can turn any smoothie recipe into a meal replacement by adding a serving of homemade protein powder to any smoothie recipe.
Blend smoothie on high speed
In order to break down the cell walls of the plants, you need to blend on high speed. You shouldn’t have any leafy chunks in your smoothie if your blender is powerful enough.
Drink green smoothie immediately
To get the maximum amount of nutrients from a smoothie, drink it immediately after blending it. The longer your smoothie is exposed to oxygen, the more it breaks down and the nutrients deteriorate. This is called oxidation. To minimize this, you can store your smoothe in the fridge with an air-tight lid for up to 48 hours, yet I think it tastes best if consumed within 4 hours after blending.
Green Smoothie Recipe Variations
It’s easy to swap ingredients based on what you have on hand. If you’d like more green smoothie recipes, check out these popular ones below:
- My son is obsessed with this mango orange smoothie recipe.
- Try this tropical pina colada smoothie to head to the beach asap.
- Want to boost your metabolism? Then this is a great fat burning green smoothie recipe.
- This kale smoothie will surprise even your taste buds.
Best Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ cup mango frozen
- 1 banana
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
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.
- Store: In the fridge with a lid until ready to drink.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- 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).
Nutrition
Common Questions
You won’t be able to taste the spinach if you use the proper ratio of fruit to spinach. This green smoothie tastes like a mango pineapple smoothie with a hint of banana flavor.
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. A kale or spinach smoothie has incredible health benefits with additional phytonutrients. What we eat can truly transform our bodies and our lives 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, vegan milks and leafy greens, typically spinach or kale. They’re loaded with iron, potassium, fiber and vitamins galore. If you’re not sure which leafy greens to use in your smoothie, check out my Ultimate Leafy Greens Guide for Smoothies.
Any blender will work, yet to get the creamiest green smoothie you’ll need a high speed blender. Check out my Best 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.
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.
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!
Great tropical fruit flavor and creamy texture. I added a scoop of homemade plant protein powder to make it a meal.
Great idea to add the homemade protein powder in this one, Evee!
I make this smoothie on the regular… it’s so good!
This one is a staple in my house too, Kate!
I really liked this one, but my husband, who drinks smaller portion also gave it a thumbs up which says a lot.
So glad I got the thumbs up from both you and your husband, Mary Jo!
This smoothie is one of my favorites. Add my mushroom blend
Great way to start
The day ❤️
Ooohh I bet the mushroom blend was interesting in this one, Jayme!
The rating keeps disappearing when I choose another field – I’m giving this 5 stars! Delicious combination! The sweetness is great for beginners. I used a mix a coconut and plain water, kale instead of spinach, plus added hemp hearts and chia seeds. I usually also add hemp protein powder, but was out this time. I often make enough to fill 4 x2 cup jars 3/4 full, then rinse the sides of my blender container with water to fill the jars the rest of the way so I don’t lose any of the yummy goodness. I have mine for breakfast, after 2 cups of water. Hubby has his for or with breakfast. 4 jars lasts us two days, unless we have 2 jars each in one day. I try to make them the night before so it’s ready in the fridge in the morning. And is use the soapy blender water to wash my dishes. Thanks SGS for doing another free smoothie challenge – always great motivation and amazing recipes!!
Yay! Thanks for the 5 stars, Grace! So glad you’re doing the smoothie challenge with me.
Delicious smoothie! Not too sweet, and the banana doesn’t overpower the other fruit. A great start to the 7-day smoothie challenge!
So glad you’re loving the smoothie challenge so far, Sandy!
I added the avocado, and Yum, Yum! It made the smoothie, rich and creamy. Couldn’t even taste the.Spinach. Great way to start the morning!
Love that you added the avocado, Susan. It really makes it even better!
Delicious and creamy tropical green smoothie! The combination of mango, pineapple, banana and spinach is fantastic!
So tropical, right?! Like a mini vacation to me!
This is a great starter smoothie! I usually use frozen bananas but I used a fresh one and it was super creamy! Yum!
I love frozen bananas in my smoothies, yet fresh definitely makes it even creamier!
Tasty! I had frozen spinach I needed to use, and I added a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips. Voila! Green smoothie nice cream!
Yumm! Love the changes you made to this one, Tammy. I may have to try that myself!