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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.
What can I use if I have allergies to citrus fruits ( No pineapple, oranges, kiwi, etc..)??
Hi Resse,
Allergic to citrus, try doubling up the amount of mango in our Beginner’s Luck recipe, or try adding another fruit you can enjoy, like berries or melon.
Cheers 🙂
Hi Shawn,
We love adding protein to our smoothies to help keep us full + satisfied. Here are a few of our favorite options…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder
Questioning what not to blend together? We are not professional nutritionists, but all the research we have done suggests that blending fruits and veggies together is no different than eating fruits and veggies together–like a salad!
Hope this helps!
Hi. So have u ever use Flaxseeds in your smoothie?
Hi Sabrina,
We love adding flaxseeds to our smoothies! Containing both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, flaxseed oil supports healthy brain development and is great for your heart. It’s also high in fiber to keep things moving regularly.
Read more about our love for flaxseeds here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/superfoods-list
Just so I know I am doing this right in order to get the full affect of not having cravings and being full longer Daily we should drink 16 oz of the green smoothie?
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for reaching out! We suggest a 16oz serving for our green smoothies! If you’re finding yourself hungry too quickly try adding protein to your smoothie to help keep you satisfied longer. Here are some of our favorite plant-based proteins…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder
If you’re using Simple Green Smoothies as a meal replacement, we suggest also adding a healthy fat, to ensure you’re getting a complete meal…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Tried this smoothie yesterday. I used strawberries and apples instead of the pineapple and mango. It was definitely drinkable not at all bitter. Turned lots of heads at work. Cant wait for the Smoothie challenge.
Hi Celestine,
If you get a lot of heads turning at work, challenge them to join our 30-Day Challenge!
Cheers 🙂
Hi,
I’m one those people who have a multitude of food allergies. I would love to try this, but… I’m allergic all tropical fruits. This includes the common ingredients; bananas, kiwi, mango, papaya, and pineapple(can’t even touch it). So what’s a girl to do? Would like to get the same vitamin and cleanse type effect. Help!
Hi Vkerrmit,
Thanks for reaching out! Our recipes are simply here to inspire you, none of them are set in stone. Feel free to swap out any fruit you’re allergic to with a fruit you love and adore, or double up on another ingredient already in the smoothie. If you’re able to eat them, peaches, pears, apples, and mixed berries are all great substitutes!
The best part is playing mini-chef with your blender. Not one smoothie will please everybody, but we promise as you experiment with different blends you will find a recipe that is your go-to smoothie. It will be the one you make for your friends and family and make them a green smoothie lover too. So explore, experiment, and smile!
We like to use this simple green smoothie formula when creating new blends. No matter what combination of leafy greens and fruit you use, you’ll still be getting a ton of great vitamins and nutrients!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie
Never hesitate to reach out if you need help finding a substitute for a specific smoothie. We’re here to support you! 🙂
How long will the blended mixture be good for? Like if i made the recipe that is for 2 servings, could i keep half in the fridge over night and have it the next day? Or even make a head a weeks worth?
Hi Colleen,
Thank you so much for joining us! Some people say you have to drink it “right away” to get the optimal nutrients from each blend. But if left in the fridge over-night for one to three days in a sealed container you should be good to go. You also may add a small amount of lemon juice to preserve and keep the smoothie blend as fresh as possible. Your body is still reaping the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables even if it is not consumed right away.
Here are our tips on prep ahead. It keeps our mornings simple!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/frozen-smoothie-packs
Used this recipe about 5 times already and it is officially my favorite smoothie. Ughh I wish pineapples and mangoes were in season all year long. Time to stock up and freeze some!
Hi Monica,
It’s one of our favorites too! Have you tried any of our other recipes?
This is still my number one smoothie recipe. I keep trying new ones, but my kids tell me that this one is the best. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sandi,
We love this recipe too! It seems to be one that a lot of people just keep going back to, including us! 🙂
Hi I’m new to drinking anything green. So I brought spinach, mango, bananas, and papaya instead of pineapple because the store was sold out. I wanna know if I can use strawberries and blueberries and green apples (to replace the bananas) as well
Hi Sakeena,
Feel free to replace bananas with another fruit you enjoy!
Some great banana substitutes are: Mango, Papaya, Pear, Chia seeds, Fresh dates, Nut Butters, Unsweetened applesauce, Avocado (won’t add the sweetness, but will definitely add the thick and creamy texture)!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/avocado-smoothie
I’m allergic to spinach and nervous to make my first green smoothie. What would you recommend substituting spinach with when making your first green smoothie? I’ve tried kale and not really a fan at this point yet . Seeing the only green vegetable I really care for is broccoli (lol). I might be in trouble!!
Hi Kari,
If you’re new to green smoothies, and can’t have spinach, arugula, cabbage, + romaine lettuce are all great options!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
I have been using kale–it’s great!
Hi Kelly,
Oh, KALE yeah! Great suggestion!
Is it okay to use frozen chopped organic spinach in lieu of fresh in green smoothies? Thank you!
Hi Wendy,
Great question! Frozen spinach from the grocery aisle, doesn’t always yield the tastiest results! That’s why we like to freeze our own! Simply wash your leafy greens, pat dry, and freeze in an airtight container in the freezer (Ziploc bags work great!). Freezing your leafy greens is a great way to prevent waste, and stock up when your favorites are on sale!
If you’re looking to make your mornings easier, try using your freezer to prep your green smoothies beforehand! Check out our blog post here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/frozen-smoothie-packs
I have never tried a green smoothie in my life. But will start from this one for sure.
Hi Sangeetha,
We’re so excited to have you blendin’ with us! Beginner’s Luck is a great smoothie for first-timers, and is still my personal favorite today! 🙂
Let us know if you have any question, as you get started!
How many calories have this recipe?
Hi Isabella,
We personally don’t count calories, so we don’t include them in our recipes at this time. You’ll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you’ll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.
Hi, I have a nutribullet how would you distribute this recipie on a smaller scale?
Hi Bev,
We love the Nutribullet! When blendin’…we suggest halving the recipe, and adding a little bit of additional liquid base to ensure everything blends smoothly!
hello there. I was just wondering can you freeze the smoothies, it would be only me drinking them and I don’t like to waste. Thanks
Hi Connie,
Of course you can! We suggest thawing already blended smoothies in the refrigerator overnight. Also, separation is natural, so give your smoothie a quick shake before enjoying!
Cheers 🙂